3.5 Gauge Baltic Tank

Hello - I wonder if you can help me. I just bought my next project at an auction - it is a 3.5" gauge 4-6-4 Baltic tank, about 2/3 complete.

My question is - does anyone know what design this is from? The boiler has a square firebox top, and no obvious taper. I would say the wheels are noticeably smaller in diameter than my other locos (3.5" gauge schools and 3.5" Gauge PAMELA by LBSC.).

Two cylinder and Walsherts vg.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Hi John,

If you upload a picture to an album (use the camera icon at the top of this page) and follow the instructions, you can them insert the picture into a comment using the camera icon in the 'post a reply box'.

A bit long winded, but it would make the task of identification a tad easier!

Neil

Hi John,

Could be 'Centenary' described by Martin Evans in ME vols 180 and 181. As Neil suggests, a photo or two would help identification. I think the Centenary articles are available from this website as a downloadable pdf.

John

Edited By John Baguley on 17/10/2013 01:14:05

Edited By John Baguley on 17/10/2013 01:24:25

Hi John,

Here's a photo of the full sized loco taken from the ME article if it helps:

Thanks all.

I love the picture. The sheer size of these "express tanks" is quite staggering.

I will post a pic as soon as I can get it unloaded onto a clear bench!

John

That looks a pretty close match to me!

My apologies if I offend anyone, but I couldn't help looking at that picture and thinking that good old Martin deserved the 'Thomas Treatment'...

Neil

Neil, How could you !

No, I don't think it's Centenary. The slidebars are different and the model looks to have piston valve cylinders instead of slide valves. The top of the frames are a different shape as well.

The only Baltics I know of with the single slidebars were the Glasgow and South Western Railway ones but they had roundtop fireboxes.

Might just be a freelance or another design converted to a Baltic? I seem to recall someone mentioning converting a B1 to a Baltic on another forum.

John

Is that Neil the Naughty engine then!

If it is possibly a freelance then the builder would probably be using something to base his model on.

Does the model look like anything else? i.e. the cylinders and valve gear?

I know its a long shot.

I will try and put up a pic ofg the boiler in the morning - a short stubby monster with a huge firebox - brazed (yes brazed) all around. Untidy but I reckon it will be strong.

Thanks

john