Model Forum / General / Railroads / July 2009

I'm modelling a New Zealand Railways Class Ub, first series.
NZR in 1898 was short of "larger" locos as regional branches were linking
up so runs were suddenly getting much longer.
At that stage locos were sourced about 67% from Britain, 33% from NZR
works. The Brits had supplied some less than ideal locos and their
delivery times were out to three years. Baldwin offered to build some
4-6-0s and deliver inside a year. NZR initially ordered 10.
I gather these were their standard 3' gauge locos with the wheels out
to 3'6". The tender was only 6'8" wide and I'm guessing it's underframe
was straight off the rack as there are features that are somewhat odd
for the gauge and the much wider loading gauge. The last of these locos
was scrapped in 1936, but they were dumped in riverbeads as flood  
protection
and at least two have been dug up recently and are being rebuilt privately.

I've now found a backhead shot - train accident which removed the cab, so
the photo shows the backhead without even shadows! :-)

My current problem is the arrangement of the connection between loco
and tender. The NZR General Arrangement Drawing doesn't match the photos
I have. The main frame is a 6 1/2" x 2 1/2" "U" girder bent around all
four corners at about 9" radius, but the photos show a narrower rectangular
extension on the front. I've looked at another Baldwin tender underframe
of the same year(WMR 2-8-0 Steam Incorporated. Paekakariki, NZ) which has
the same sort of frame but without an extension and I can't see how it
could be extended and still cope with tractive forces.

The model, NZR Ub conversion kit for Bachmann G 4-6-0.

Greg.P.

I have a copy of the book Locomotives that Baldwin built. I looked through
it when the question first came up. There is no picture or drawing of the
backhead from a locomotive from that time.

Thanks Bob.

Regards,
Greg.P.