Bass sadle tank loco

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

Does anyone know if there are plans for a Bass sadle tank loco in 31/2" guage

Edited By Eric Cox on 10/06/2012 09:30:12

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Eric,

Can't help, but you've piqued my interest. Do you have any dimensions? It wouldn't be too hard to rough out a general arrangement from that picture.

Neil (lives near Burton…)

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

After a bit of research I have come up with the following.

The Bass locomotive stud was inaugurated in 1861, by the acquisition of an engine described as a "square top tank." This pioneer was built at Burton, by the local firm of Thornewill and Warham. Two years later, a second engine was delivered from the same factory. This was an 0-4-0 saddle tank, a design since adopted as the standard. The stock consisted of eight locomotives, known respectively as "Class A" and "Class B." The former have 3 ft. 6 in. coupled wheels, a working pressure of 135 lb. per sq. in., and weigh, unladen, 23-1/2 tons. The cylinder dimensions are 14 in. by 21 in. These engines were built between 1899 and 1913 by the North British Locomotive Company, Ltd., Glasgow. The "Class B" locomotives are much older. One, also constructed by Thornewill and Warham, was built in 1869 ; while the second, one of the two originally known as the "Triangle" class, was built in 1890. Since then it has been twice rebuilt—in 1909 and 1924. The leading dimensions of the "Class B" engines are : coupled wheel diameter 4ft., working pressure 120 lb., unladen weight 22-1/4 tons, cylinders 14 in. by 20 in.

Thornewill and Warham were taken over by Briggs, now in Derby St.

I'm just about to research the North British Locomotive Company.

I'll be getting in touch with both to see if they still hold the drawings (and pigs might fly)

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi Eric ,

One of these locomotives might still exist – there are pictures of a very similar looking engine at the Bass Brewery museum in the 1970's . It is unlikely to have been scrapped since .

There are some North British records at NRM but you'll probably need some personal visists to identify anything useful .

Try also the Industrial Railway Society .

These engines and many similar on other industrial railways are absolutely tiny – a model in 3 1/2 inch gauge would be smaller than a Juliet . You might like to think about 5 inch gauge to get a practical engine .

Regards ,

Michael Williams .

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