Steve Johnson Modelmaker
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PWM 1650 Motor Rail
4wDM PWM1650 was a 2ft. gauge locomotive built for the GWR in 1937. Its works number of 7177 would indicate it was a 'plate framed' 20/28hp type locomotive fitted with a Dorman 2DW engine. In 1948 it was at the Hayes Creosoting Depot. In February 1951 left Hayes and it was noted at Cheltenham Lansdown Road Station in June 1951. It was disposed of to General Plant Reconstruction Limited of Cardiff in 1955. My take on this locomotive is a 3D print obtained from Shapeways. It is designed to fit on a Kato Portram chassis, but I decided to fit it on a World Craft Company EB4111 chassis that I happened to have. The print as supplied, is lacking in a bit of detail here and there. These details are easily added and included a radiator fan and fan guard, radiator bottom pipe, sand boxes, control levers and clutch pedal.
PWM1650 primed but awaiting fan guard The chassis needed a bit of trimming around the edges to make it fit and is now a tight interference fit. Additional weight was added. Lead strips were added in the bonnet housing along with two small squares by the driven axle. This extra weight is sufficient for the locomotive to pick up and move reasonably smoothly. These locomotives didn't haul a great load in any event, but my model can manage several Hudson skips with ease, which is more that enough. Greenwich couplings were added to maintain compatibility with my other narrow gauge stock. The next problem is what colour to paint it. I haven't been able to locate any photographs of this locomotive yet, let alone in colour. So, the best educated guess would be that it was either in its original green, as supplied from Motor Rail, or in a plain dark green as used by plant and machinery. Although allocated a number, I don't know if it actually carried one, or where or in what style. I am guessing it did carry a number as it was spotted in several locations, so it must have been able to have been identifiable. I am also supposing the number would have been hand painted and applied to the bonnet ends, where it would have been obvious. A lot of guesswork here as you can see, but with the lack of photographic evidence, it's very difficult!
PWM1650 Painted
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