Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2009 Part II: The Centrepiece Locomotive...
...Welcome back! The fabulous Warley National Model Railway Exhibition always loans in a centre-piece locomotive to adorn the entrance to the exhibition. I must admit, I think its a beautiful feature. In past years we've seen many different locomotives. When we first exhibited in 2006, the SVR's massive 2-6-4 BR 4MT tank No80079 was the centrepiece. However, since then, narrow gauge machines have been the order of the day. This must be because they're easier to move about! For example, in 2007, two lovely machines from Statfold were the centrepieces: 0-4-2 "Trangkil No4" and new build Hunslet "Jack Lane". Finally, last year, the South Tynedale Railway sent their 0-6-0 "Thomas Edmundson". This year, the centrepiece was another treat and, a machine I hadn't seen before to boot! 0-4-0+0-4-0 Beyer Peacock Garatt "K1" did the honours this year and was a real joy to see...
Built in 1909 in Manchester, "K1" was the first of two Garatt's of her type. The Class was named the "K" class and, as she was 'Number 1', this machine was dubbed, "K1". (Her sister, "K2", was also built in 1909). "K1 comprises the usual Garatt format with only boiler spanning two seperate "power bogies". However, "K1" differs from the original Garatt designs in that she is a Compound locomotive. The rear bogie comprises of "High Pressure Cylinders", joined to the two "Low Pressure Cylinders" on the front bogie. Another difference is that the four cylinders face eachother, making the bogies "front to front" rather than "back to back" (unlike original Garatt-practise). The two "K" class Garatt's were built for the North East Dundas Tramway, located on the West Coast of Tasmania but this unfortunately closed in 1929. "K1"s boiler was then sold to a sawmill. In 1947, the rest of K1, with the boiler of sister engine "K2" attached, was sold back to Beyer Peacock. The "K1-K2" mixture was then shipped back to Britain. When the firm closed in 1966, the engine went to the Festiniog Railway but was found to be "out of gauge". After 10 years in storage, "K1" went to the NRM where she underwent cosmetic restoration. 
However, this was not the end as "K1" was seemingly not destined to be a "stuffed and mounted" machine! The engine left the NRM in 1995 for the Welsh Highland Railway and full restoration. The Garatt was thought to be perfect for the WHR's then current & future needs. Finally, after a new boiler and many new parts, "K1" resteamed in 2004, after reconstruction at Boston Lodge Works (Festiniog Railway). The engine made her passenger debut on the WHR in September 2006, though using "oil firing" instead of coal to reduce the risk of fires in the National Park. The front power bogie can be seen in the image below, consisting of the low pressure cylinders...
As mentioned earlier, the front cylinders face the cab end of the locomotive, unlike usual Garatt practise...
A close up of the front power bogie. The fantastic design provides great power but also allows the locomotive to traverse very sharp curves...
"K1" is yet another fabolous "heavyweight" visitor to the National Model Railway Exhibition. I wonder what they'll have next year?! Thanks must go to "Squires", a tool-making company I believe, who sponser the transport for the locomotive. (Perhaps the most expensive part of any locomotive visits!). Thanks for reading folks. I'm off to Shackerstone tomorrow so we'll see what that day brings. Evening All!...
...Welcome back! The fabulous Warley National Model Railway Exhibition always loans in a centre-piece locomotive to adorn the entrance to the exhibition. I must admit, I think its a beautiful feature. In past years we've seen many different locomotives. When we first exhibited in 2006, the SVR's massive 2-6-4 BR 4MT tank No80079 was the centrepiece. However, since then, narrow gauge machines have been the order of the day. This must be because they're easier to move about! For example, in 2007, two lovely machines from Statfold were the centrepieces: 0-4-2 "Trangkil No4" and new build Hunslet "Jack Lane". Finally, last year, the South Tynedale Railway sent their 0-6-0 "Thomas Edmundson". This year, the centrepiece was another treat and, a machine I hadn't seen before to boot! 0-4-0+0-4-0 Beyer Peacock Garatt "K1" did the honours this year and was a real joy to see...
Built in 1909 in Manchester, "K1" was the first of two Garatt's of her type. The Class was named the "K" class and, as she was 'Number 1', this machine was dubbed, "K1". (Her sister, "K2", was also built in 1909). "K1 comprises the usual Garatt format with only boiler spanning two seperate "power bogies". However, "K1" differs from the original Garatt designs in that she is a Compound locomotive. The rear bogie comprises of "High Pressure Cylinders", joined to the two "Low Pressure Cylinders" on the front bogie. Another difference is that the four cylinders face eachother, making the bogies "front to front" rather than "back to back" (unlike original Garatt-practise). The two "K" class Garatt's were built for the North East Dundas Tramway, located on the West Coast of Tasmania but this unfortunately closed in 1929. "K1"s boiler was then sold to a sawmill. In 1947, the rest of K1, with the boiler of sister engine "K2" attached, was sold back to Beyer Peacock. The "K1-K2" mixture was then shipped back to Britain. When the firm closed in 1966, the engine went to the Festiniog Railway but was found to be "out of gauge". After 10 years in storage, "K1" went to the NRM where she underwent cosmetic restoration. 
However, this was not the end as "K1" was seemingly not destined to be a "stuffed and mounted" machine! The engine left the NRM in 1995 for the Welsh Highland Railway and full restoration. The Garatt was thought to be perfect for the WHR's then current & future needs. Finally, after a new boiler and many new parts, "K1" resteamed in 2004, after reconstruction at Boston Lodge Works (Festiniog Railway). The engine made her passenger debut on the WHR in September 2006, though using "oil firing" instead of coal to reduce the risk of fires in the National Park. The front power bogie can be seen in the image below, consisting of the low pressure cylinders...
As mentioned earlier, the front cylinders face the cab end of the locomotive, unlike usual Garatt practise...
A close up of the front power bogie. The fantastic design provides great power but also allows the locomotive to traverse very sharp curves...
"K1" is yet another fabolous "heavyweight" visitor to the National Model Railway Exhibition. I wonder what they'll have next year?! Thanks must go to "Squires", a tool-making company I believe, who sponser the transport for the locomotive. (Perhaps the most expensive part of any locomotive visits!). Thanks for reading folks. I'm off to Shackerstone tomorrow so we'll see what that day brings. Evening All!...
No comments:
Post a Comment