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Author Topic: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive  (Read 232 times)

Jon Cameron

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3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« on: July 12, 2019, 04:03:40 pm »
Well less of loco more of a locomotive chassis.

Whether this is a Twinnings design sold under Bassett Lowke, who also supplied castings for it is yet to be confirmed. However signs are promising that it is indeed the 3.1/2" gauge Pacific, a smaller brother than the Colosus that was built by Bassett Lowke in 15" gauge, as a maximum loading gauge locomotive.

The frames, chassis and machined parts so far are of excellent quality. There has been a lot of work in this chassis already on the detail of it. The fully compensated front bogie is simply eye candy!

I have contacted the Bassett Lowke Society to see if they have any more information to share with me regarding the loco, also I have contacted Maxitrax who hold the Greenly Archive, they have the plans for the 3.1/2" gauge loco listed on their website. Those that don't know, Greenly was Bassett Lowkes friend and chief designer. Twinnings worked for Greenly, and always tried to encompass more details, and scaled engineering into his designs than the ordinary Bassett Lowke offerings.

Enjoy the pics, if I can answer any questions I will. Also if anyone has any more information on the loco is be very grateful for any more information.

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Jon Cameron

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2019, 04:17:50 pm »
Some more
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Jon Cameron

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2019, 04:19:41 pm »
Some more
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Stoker

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2019, 06:26:13 pm »
That is one very impressive piece of machinery you have there Jon. I have an old BL catalog and will look to see if I find anything similar in it.
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34046

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2019, 02:23:27 am »
Interesting project and excellent build quality.  The round cylinders are intriguing. I suspect you are on the right lines with Colossus, though this had external valve gear as opposed to your inside gear.

May be worth asking on the ME or the MECH forum Jon as you are a member.

I would be surprised if the MECH forum does not come up with an answer.

Just out of interest, any progress on the MINX?
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txlabman

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2019, 06:30:13 am »
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Jon.

Looks like an interesting project.
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Stoker

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2019, 05:22:32 pm »
Hello Jon  ....  sorry I've been so long getting back to you here on this marvelous steam locomotive chassis.

Here are four pages from the September 1929 Bassett - Lowke Ltd. catalog, pages 232-235 inclusive.

Boy, I'll sure bet you wish you could order up parts from this catalog today!

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

 ... and yes, as you can see from the first page, it was a Twinnings design.
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"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
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F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

Jon Cameron

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Re: 3.1/2" Gauge Bassett Lowke Locomotive
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2019, 03:33:50 am »
Thank you Daniel,

The info is much appreciated.

I will be giving maxitrax a follow up email as unfortunately they have not responded to my last email. Failing that a phone call will be next, but I have got some additional tooling now do I will be able to machine the components needed to complete the work. I don't however like the idea of a cast Firebox and front tubeplate, so these will be made from the usual copper once I have hold of the plans.

I had been sent the catalogue photos previously however it seems that yours are much better quality than the photos sent to me.

The following was some snippets sent to me by Anthony Coulls, the curator at NRM, again from the same book, which explain the loco and it's origins.
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