Beschreibung:

An exceptionally fine exhibition quality 5in. gauge working model of the Great Western Railway double-framed 4-4-0 locomotive No. 3312 Bulldog , as running c.1905, the prototype having been built to a design by William Dean in 1898 The Model This very fine model was built by P. Rich and incorporates virtually all the features of the prototype as overhauled by Swindon Works in 1905. Construction of the model commenced in 1993 and all the working parts have been made to Swindon works drawings and the builder's own researches. The two inside cylinders, cast in bronze, have slide valves located below them operated by correct Stephenson valve gear which in turn has a steam-operated reverser with lever and setting indicator. The cab front has the true-to-prototype door giving access to the fireman's side footplating and has a canvas-covered wooden roof. Although the front vacuum hose and pipework is a non-working dummy, the rest of the vacuum brake system is operated from the driver's brake valve in the same manner as the prototype, while the front bogie has swing-link control and is fitted with correct pattern mudguards, external axleboxes and working leaf springs. The fully brazed and silver-soldered copper boiler has been tested to 200lbs/sq.in. for a working pressure of 100lbs/sq.in. It is fitted with a superheater and firegrate with fully working dampers which also allows the firegrate to be removed for firedropping &c. The smokebox is of the built-up type and contains a working vacuum ejector, while the regulator valve is fitted to the smokebox tubeplate as in full-size practice. The dome and safety valve covers are especially well-made, with the correct beading to the bases. The cab fittings on the fully lagged firebox backplate are all fully functional and closely follow those of the prototype locomotive in both scale size and operation. The backplate itself is fitted with correct lever-operated sliding firedoors, complete with chain-operated pull-up flap. Although dummy whistle valves are fitted above the stuffing box for appearances' sake, a fully functional whistle is concealed below the footplate, operated by what is ostensibly the exhaust steam injector operating lever. The Dean type 3000 gallon tender has been faithfully modelled with coal fenders as fitted in 1905. The tank is made of brass throughout and fitted with correct filler and air vents. The water gauge is fully working and the tender is fitted with correct pattern toolboxes. The tender chassis is fitted with proper working combined steam and hand-operated brakes with the vertical hand screw on the left side. That on the right-hand side is for the water scoop, which is also fitted. The only commercial parts contained in the model are the pressure and vacuum gauges and the transfer of the GWR Garter Coat of Arms on the tender side. Everything else, including the tender side letter transfers and the extensive range of lost wax castings for working components, numbers and nameplates &c., were made in the builder's own workshop. The model was entered in the International Model Engineering Exhibition in London during 2000, where it was deservedly awarded the Gold Medal in its class and also gained the Crebin Memorial Cup. 154cm. (60½in.) long See Colour Illustration