USATC S160

[Scale7JB]

The track is probably a bit better now.

We had to have the track tamped a couple of years back before the 9f turned up, and it's not too bad. We do have a speed restriction on the bank up from Blake Hall to North Weald, but that just means we have to open up once we get past it on the 1:63....

JB.

 

[Scale7JB]

Also 1:50 and reverse curves away from Epping Forest too.

It's steeper than most people think..

JB.

 

[Compton castle]

S160 5197 is at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire gala next weekend.

 

[Scale7JB]

Be a lot more fun at EOR.. We have hills...

JB.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

I just have KWVR 5820 pounding up the grade at weekends in the next valley to me. The excellent sounding chime whistle is rather a giveaway.

 

[Steph Dale]

And then there were (still) two...

So, one of the Vigentini/Metrop models turned up on a well known auction 'site (in the HO scale listings) a couple of weeks ago with a single line in the listing 'From the ABS models collection', so I'm assuming it's the model Adrian was referring to earlier in this thread that was previously owned by Richard Bollen. I was lucky enough to win the model, so with due apologies for a couple of hurried photos:







Unfortunately, as you can see, the model was crunched on it's way to me, but having just reached an 'accommodation' with the seller, now seemed the time to post. I'll almost certainly have to make a new cab side and I'll need to find some decals so it can be resprayed. Like Richard's model mine is a bit wayward on the wheel specifications for running (although probably right for one of the NMRA or MOROP standards) so is in the rainy day pile for now while I work out what to do about it (and Richard's loco as well). Having played with many r-t-r brass locos over the years, although most have been in HO, I'm sure a solution can be found.

The damage the model has received means I'm now considering turning the loco into a coal burner and refining the detail a little for use on a British layout; if it had arrived here in one piece I would have been much more circumspect.

Steph

 

[Eastsidepilot]

I'll almost certainly have to make a new cab side ........

Steph

Looking at the damage Steph I reckon, with a bit of care, you might be able to flatten/beat the cab side flat once it's removed.

I still have an itch to scratch build one in S7

Col.

 

[mickoo]

Looking at the damage Steph I reckon, with a bit of care, you might be able to flatten/beat the cab side flat once it's removed.

I still have an itch to scratch build one in S7

Col.

This may be of interest, it's only a small link but go to the page and download as large as you can handle. Not sure if it's the exact same type mind, looks similar.

UNRRA "Liberation Class" 2-8-0 steam locomotive for use in Poland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and Luxemburg (Vulcan Foundry Locomotive Works, 1946) by Historical Railway Images, on Flickr

 

[Steph Dale]

Mick,
That drawing keeps turning up, but it's a Vulcan UNRRA 1-D 'Liberation', not an S160. Very US in style but UK built.

Col,
However I look at it the damage is repairable. Either by straightening it as you say, or by making a new one - it's only a rectangle with another rectangle cut out of it! The rivets are simple enough to press in with the GW rivet press.

Steph

 

[Eastsidepilot]

This may be of interest, it's only a small link but go to the page and download as large as you can handle. Not sure if it's the exact same type mind, looks similar.

UNRRA "Liberation Class" 2-8-0 steam locomotive for use in Poland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and Luxemburg (Vulcan Foundry Locomotive Works, 1946) by Historical Railway Images, on Flickr

Thanks Mick, I have seen this before and as Steph says not quite the right drawing.

Col.

 

[Osgood]

There’s a correct drawing here - posted by Yorkshire Dave below the wrong one (as above) posted by me

https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/threads/wanted-usa-s160-drawings.3765/

 

[Focalplane]

A nice model of the “Yank”. Here is a photo of one at the Watercress Line c. 1997.

 

[Brian McKenzie]

What was the issue that lead to the re-profiling of the wheelsets of these locos after arrival in Britain, and what was done exactly? Were the flanges too wide, thus making the back to back measurement a bit undersize.

My understanding, rightly or wrongly, is that North American flanges are slightly squatter, but wider than for UK. (All tyres on African steam locos that have been imported to New Zealand by enthusiasts have to be re-profiled before they can traverse turnouts etc.)

-Brian McK.

 

[Focalplane]

Two more photos from Ropley in 1997





Painted in the Longmoor Railway colours. The original number is on the builder’s plate.

I believe the axle boxes overheated easily but otherwise they were liked by the wartime drivers.

Another reason, perhaps, that BR Standard locomotive design followed North American practices?

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Another reason, perhaps, that BR Standard locomotive design followed North American practices?

If you are able to land a copy of this book it covers the influences on BR design and includes drivers reminiscences. The cover photo was taken at Bishops Stortford in 1943.



It does list the influences the S160s had on BR loco design together with illustrations

The damage the model has received means I'm now considering turning the loco into a coal burner and refining the detail a little for use on a British layout; if it had arrived here in one piece I would have been much more circumspect.

R Tourret in his book Allied Military Locomotives of the Second Word War states some of the later S160s were built as oil burners and delivered direct from the USA to Europe. The oil burners were USA/TC numbers 3275-3396, 3610-99, 5759/62-4.

The Southern had 6 allocated to Exmouth Junction: 1771, 1916, 1920 and 2356 in 12/1943 and 2378 and 2590 in 01/1944. However they did not last long before being reallocated for the D-Day preparations.

I also have a copy of this book which contains the following images for when you convert the tender to a coal burner.

 

[Focalplane]

All my railway books are in France but I feel sure there is a photo of a record number of dead engines being trained out of South Wales, they being S160s that made the crossing. Not sure if some didn’t due to enemy sinking. Once D Day was over most left for Europe immediately with destinations as far as Turkey.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Tourret refers to 18 S160s being lost due to enemy action on the convoys.

The photo you're referring to is in Tourret's book and they were stored at Treforest, 119 of them in a line. The other storage place was Penrhos.

 

[Scale7JB]

Who’s that hanging out the side?



Copyright: Andy Duncan at Epping Ongar Railway.

JB.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Who’s that hanging out the side?............



JB.

Col.

 

[Dog Star]

When one of these beasts needs to be re-tubed... how are the tubes got into the tube holes which are to the RHS of the boiler (as seen in the photo above)?