LNWR/LMS 4-4-2T Precursor Tank

   

To be re-released in June 2007.

Introduced in 1906 by George Whale, the "6ft. Four Coupled Side Tanks" were commonly referred to as "Precursor Tanks" and were essentially a tank version of the Precursor. The driving wheels were 6' 3" diameter and the first thirty had 3'9" bogie and trailing wheels. In the next two batches of ten, built in 1907 and 1909, the carrying wheels were 3' 3". None of the original batch were modified to take the smaller wheels.

They were too heavy for many branchlines but were used extensively for suburban working, especially around London, Birmingham and Manchester. They were all taken into LMS stock and lasted variously until 1931 to 1940. As built they had Whale buffers, a capuchon on the chimney, smokebox lubricators and sandboxes between the frames. Later some were equipped with cab roof ventilators, while other modifications included "Jumbo" style sandboxes, Bowen-Cooke buffers and plain chimneys. The tank sides were free of rivets and extended above the tank tops to provide stowage for fire-irons, etc.

The Precursor Tanks were fine, well proportioned locomotives and carried the L.N.W.R. crest and initials on the tank sides as well as full lining.

The body is finely etched in nickel silver for easier soldering and painting. The boiler is supplied ready rolled while tab and slot location is provided for the majority of the etched components. The smaller detail components such as lamp sockets and vacuum pipes are lost wax brass castings. The larger components, e.g. chimney and dome, are also supplied as brass castings. Sprung Whale pattern turned buffers are included, these can be exchanged for Bowen Cooke or LMS round head if required.

The chassis is capable of being assembled in a rigid, sprung or compensated configuration. The chassis is also etched in nickel silver.

Due to the simple lines of the prototype this is a straightforward kit, although a little more challenging than the Watford Tank kit, yet produces a very impressive model.

You can download a pdf version (which requires Adobe Acrobat to be read) of the instructions for this kit by clicking here

This file is 4.1 MB which will take a while to download if you are on a dial-up connection.

.

If you don't already have Adobe Acrobat installed, click the logo for free download.