GWR 4500 Tank Class

[TimR]

As per the title, I'm looking for a GWR 4500 class loco (probably three) if I can find them, does anyone or has anyone made these in N gauge?

If not what are my alternatives? if any.

Thanks in advance.

Tim

[port perran]

As per the title, I'm looking for a GWR 4500 class loco (probably three) if I can find them, does anyone or has anyone made these in N gauge?

If not what are my alternatives? if any.

Thanks in advance.

Tim

Hi Tim. Dapol produced these a while back(both sloping and straight tank varieities - both worked the Princetown branch). However, I think they are now sold out so it's down to buying second hand.
I have 3 of them - nice little locomotives.
Martin

[TimR]

As per the title, I'm looking for a GWR 4500 class loco (probably three) if I can find them, does anyone or has anyone made these in N gauge?

If not what are my alternatives? if any.

Thanks in advance.

Tim

Tim
Hi Tim. Dapol produced these a while back(both sloping and straight tank varieities - both worked the Princetown branch). However, I think they are now sold out so it's down to buying second hand.
I have 3 of them - nice little locomotives.
Martin

Ahh thanks for that Martin, 2nd hand is fine and as you can see my research has started  it really is surprising what you can find when you actually start looking.

I suppose ebay should be my first port of call along with the outlets that keep used stock.

Thanks again.

[railsquid]

Here's a Dapol slope tank  (ND-060D):



Very nice little runner. I did worry it looked a bit overscale for the coaches (a Dapol "B set") but here's one running with a "D set" in real life and the cab roof does seem higher than the coaches: https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbh2628.htm

[port perran]

And here's a straight tank example.
Again, a lovely little runner.

[TimR]

Here's a Dapol slope tank  (ND-060D):



Very nice little runner. I did worry it looked a bit overscale for the coaches (a Dapol "B set") but here's one running with a "D set" in real life and the cab roof does seem higher than the coaches: https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbh2628.htm

Hi railsquid, that looks really nice, thank you for sharing, great looking colour scheme.

[Snowwolflair]

Be careful buying them second hand, they were a prime example of problem Dapol locos.  So much so they were redesigned resulting in some improvement but not a lot.

Buy from a second hand stand at a show or shop where you can see it tested.  There is a high probability an eBay one will be a bad one.

the main problem was wheel on axle slip and loosing quartering causing the valve gear to be trashed.

[TimR]

And here's a straight tank example.
Again, a lovely little runner.

Thank you as well Martin, looks just as good in black, I have found a "mint" example on ebay so I expect to be spending some money very shortly 

[TimR]

Be careful buying them second hand, they were a prime example of problem Dapol locos.  So much so they were redesigned resulting in some improvement but not a lot.

Buy from a second hand stand at a show or shop where you can see it tested.  There is a high probability an eBay one will be a bad one.

the main problem was wheel on axle slip and loosing quartering causing the valve gear to be trashed.

Thanks for the heads up snowwolflair, I do have my eye on one at the moment that is described as mint, is there a fix for that particular problem?

[railsquid]

Be careful buying them second hand, they were a prime example of problem Dapol locos.  So much so they were redesigned resulting in some improvement but not a lot.

Buy from a second hand stand at a show or shop where you can see it tested.  There is a high probability an eBay one will be a bad one.

the main problem was wheel on axle slip and loosing quartering causing the valve gear to be trashed.

Hmm, I must have got lucky, based on my 2nd-hand sample of 1 bought via mail order, it's perfectly fine for a small N gauge kettle and purrs round my layout with nary a problem.  Mind you I must have a lucky touch, my Dapol 14xx is also one of the "good" ones.

[Bob G]

At least with EBay if it is not as described you can get your money back.
Hattons.co.uk also has a large stock of secondhand. The best ones seem to go very quickly.
KJB Models who advertise on here have always sold good locos at good prices, so look them up too.

HTH
Bob

[ODRAILS]

Be careful buying them second hand, they were a prime example of problem Dapol locos.  So much so they were redesigned resulting in some improvement but not a lot.

Buy from a second hand stand at a show or shop where you can see it tested.  There is a high probability an eBay one will be a bad one.

the main problem was wheel on axle slip and loosing quartering causing the valve gear to be trashed.
[/quote

Please provide more detail re: "they were redesigned". I wasn't aware of this.
By the way,  these model 45xx locos don't have any "valve gear", they have coupling rods and connecting rods.

[port perran]

Be careful buying them second hand, they were a prime example of problem Dapol locos.  So much so they were redesigned resulting in some improvement but not a lot.

Buy from a second hand stand at a show or shop where you can see it tested.  There is a high probability an eBay one will be a bad one.

the main problem was wheel on axle slip and loosing quartering causing the valve gear to be trashed.

Thanks for the heads up snowwolflair, I do have my eye on one at the moment that is described as mint, is there a fix for that particular problem?

Good luck with your bid.

[Snowwolflair]

Be careful buying them second hand, they were a prime example of problem Dapol locos.  So much so they were redesigned resulting in some improvement but not a lot.

Buy from a second hand stand at a show or shop where you can see it tested.  There is a high probability an eBay one will be a bad one.

the main problem was wheel on axle slip and loosing quartering causing the valve gear to be trashed.

Thanks for the heads up snowwolflair, I do have my eye on one at the moment that is described as mint, is there a fix for that particular problem?

That's why they redesigned the chassis.  Be very sparing with any use of oil, use a dry lubricant like Teflon that wont seep into the axles.

[silly moo]

I got one of the first models and it has been fine so far. I tested two and picked the best when I bought it from Osbourns years ago. As with all models I think it's a case of luck and careful handling.