TVT - Magnum Opus

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TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by GTB » Thu Jan 30, 2025 12:36 pm

You don't have to be mad to build a Garratt, but it probably saves some time if you start out that way.

I started this project coming up for nine years ago, when the wheel castings were machined. For most of that time the engine units sat as rolling chassis, taking up bench space and slowly developing the patina of age, which is one of the drawbacks of living in a coastal rust belt.

Work finally restarted just after the 2023 GSSU about 14 months ago. I didn't have a new project to start and I decided to sort out the engine units and at least get them running on air. After a while I got stubborn and dug in for the long haul. While it took many more months than planned/expected, the construction phase was completed a couple of days ago. The light at the end of the tunnel turned out not to be an oncoming truck.

Project drift set in early and the final model is slightly different to the original intent all those years ago.

Prototype Story

The project as originally planned was to build a model of the proposed Beyer-Garratt that the Victorian Railways ordered from B-P in the mid '20s. The VR wanted a 2-6-2+2-6-2 but at the end of the process they got a 2-6-0+0-6-2 that became the VR G class. One of which is preserved on the Puffing Billy Railway near Melbourne.

By the time I restarted the project I had built my backyard track and found that the 2-6-2+2-6-2 would struggle with the curves in the wye, so the project was cut down to a 2-6-0+0-6-2. I didn't want a VR G class, so the project became a model of an APC Garratt.

APC was the Australian Portland Cement company, which had a quarry and cement plant near Geelong in Victoria. During the '30s they purchased two medium sized Garratts to handle the increase in limestone traffic between the quarry and the kilns as business recovered from the Depression.

The APC Garratts were an updated version of the 3'6" gauge WAGR M/Ms class Garratts, which were the third Garratt design, entering service in 1912/13, just before WW1. The VR G class Garratts were similarly derived from the M/Ms classes, but more heavily modified for the narrower 2'6" gauge.

The quarry line was 3'6" gauge and had a 1:37 grade up from the quarry floor, as well as the longest railway tunnel in Victoria. The two Garratts spent the next 25 years or so blasting their way over this line with loads of limestone until they were replaced by a diesel and then finally the railway itself was replaced with a conveyor belt in the late '60s.

One of the APC Garratts was preserved, as were the rest of the remaining APC steam fleet and is now located on the Bellarine Railway near Geelong.

The APC Garratt was chosen as a prototype for the model build purely because it had run in Victoria and I liked its appearance. When I was doing the original research, I was unable to find a source for the Beyer Peacock drawings, so the model was built from photos and relevant info from a set of VR G class drawings.

Model Story

There are 50 odd progress photos of the model build available, but a Garratt is basically just two conventional models slung together. I built this one the same way I build a conventional model, it just took longer because there are two of everything.

The cylinders and valve gear are scratchbuilt, based on the design in Brian Wilson's book. The wheels were machined from Walsall iron castings. The rest was made from steel or brass sheet and bar.

The photos below are composite photos of the specialist parts specific to a Garratt model, the flexible steam lines and the large boiler.

The first photo shows the engine units and the boiler cradle at the point where the steam lines and flexible joints had been installed and were about to be tested on air. The third part of the pic shows the chassis/cradle running on air.

The flexible joints are the black rubber sections of steam piping over the engine unit pivots. The rubber is a grade that is resistant to steam, oil and hot water. The connector design came from a friend who uses them for water lines in G1 tender engines which can be under boiler pressure when pumping water. I made up a couple of connections for testing and found they stay tight up to about 300 psi. At pressures higher than that, water is forced between the brass and rubber parts, acting as a lubricant and the rubber is pushed out of the fitting. No rupture, the rubber just quietly pushes out of the fitting and starts to leak water. At 40 psi boiler pressure, that is a 7:1 safety factor, which is more than adequate for purpose.

The copper and rubber tubing used for the steam lines is sized so that there is minimal restriction at each tee junction and the internal cross section is adequate for free flow of the steam. The extra care taken over the sizing seems to have worked as planned, as each engine unit starts at about the same pressure and runs at about the same speed.

Garratt-s1-s2-t.jpg
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The second composite photo shows the boiler after assembly and during testing.

As mentioned a Garratt has two of just about everything. With two engine units, that means four cylinders, so if you want something like prototype performance, you'll need twice the heating area in the boiler and twice the output from whatever source of heat is boiling the water.

This model is gas fired, so the boiler has been designed with two flues and two burners. Scale size for this model boiler works out to 75mm OD by 220mm length. That's a big boiler.........

The first part of the pic shows the boiler after being silver soldered and cleaned up for hydraulic testing. The two burner flues are apparent, as are the nuts for the longitudinal stays, as well as the bushes for various fittings. For comparison, the piece of copper tube beside it is the shell for a boiler the size of a standard Roundhouse Type 1 boiler, as fitted to a Lady Anne, etc.

The second part of the pic shows the boiler getting a pressure test, holding test pressure, with no leaks, or distortion.

The boiler has been steamed on the bench, but the engine units have not run under steam and won't until the model is painted. The gas tank is 80ml capacity and has been fitted in the rear bunker/water tank. With two Roundhouse burners to feed, this should give at least a 30 minute run. We will see......

Garratt-z4-5.jpg
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The last photo shows both sides of the assembled model sitting in the afternoon sun yesterday, with the old engineer giving some idea of scale. The loco is about 800 mm over the couple pull lines and with a boiler full of water ready for a run it weighs a bit over 8kg.

Garratt-z25-26.jpg
Garratt-z25-26.jpg (439.75 KiB) Viewed 2220 times

I still have to build a carry case for the loco that will take the weight and also work up enough enthusiasm to paint it when the weather cools off. Don't hold your breath.


Learnings

The major learning is that a Garratt isn't a quickie project...........

I put 6 months into this model back in 2016 just getting it to the rolling chassis stage, then after I restarted work it took another 2 months to run it on air. Another 2 months to install the boiler, then the last 9 months was spent making all the bits that make it look like a model of a real Garratt. The materials weren't cheap either.

A bit of time would be saved by using a couple of Roundhouse chassis kits to make the engine units, but the cash outlay would increase by a factor of about three. :shock:

I don't see another Garratt in my future though. There are a couple of Roundhouse chassis kits under the bench and I haven't yet decided what sort of locos they'll be used for. One thing is for sure, the next steam loco project won't be a big loco and it won't be a bendy loco.

I think I'll go back to building wagons for a while, or maybe something small and battery powered. There were times during this build when going back to HO started looking like a good idea. 8)

Regards,
Graeme

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by ge_rik » Thu Jan 30, 2025 1:46 pm

Cor blimey, that is a beaut! I wondered why we hadn't heard much from you of late. Little wonder! (sorry, wrong articulated loco... :? )

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by SimonWood » Thu Jan 30, 2025 1:55 pm

What an absolutely wonderful big and bendy loco - superbly modelled!
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by HansL » Thu Jan 30, 2025 2:30 pm

What a finely detailed and technically well thought-out beauty this locomotive has become! A technical masterpiece that will soon make you forget all the hard work. Thanks for sharing!
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Jan 30, 2025 2:46 pm

Certainly is a masterpiece of engineering, well thought out and superbly executed.
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by philipy » Thu Jan 30, 2025 2:47 pm

That is a beautiful piece of engineering, Graeme, not to mention a beautiful looking loco.
Philip

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by Lonsdaler » Sat Feb 01, 2025 11:04 am

A stunning looking locomotive in the brass - what plans for a colour scheme?
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by GTB » Sun Feb 02, 2025 12:35 am

Lonsdaler wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 11:04 am A stunning looking locomotive in the brass - what plans for a colour scheme?
The model is already developing a patina, the price of living in a coastal rust belt........

The prototype APC Garratts were painted plain black in service and that's the current plan. This pic shows APC no. 2 towards the end of it's working life.

https://www.westonlangford.com/images/photo/102627/

Mine won't be quite as weathered as that. The colour and lettering will be much the same as my Baldwin 2-6-2 in this pic.

https://gardenrails.org/myff/1621581/Bogong-v.JPG

Graeme

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by Lonsdaler » Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:12 pm

The finish on that Baldwin will suit the Garratt very well.👍🏻
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by Tropic Blunder » Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:32 am

Absolutely stunning Graeme I had been thinking we were about due to hear about what you were working on around Christmas. I can see why its kept you busy so long in the background.

In my humble opinion the APC Garratts were the prettiest Garratts ever built but I may be biased. Maybe one day we'll be able to watch #2 dragging a heavy train up the 1:50 to Drysdale...

I'm assuming this ones been build to 1:20 like the rest of your stuff? It must be an absolute monster to transport and move around!

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by David P » Sun Feb 09, 2025 1:01 am

Magnificent work Graeme!

Now if Jake can get the AUD$35,000 to remove the asbestos blankets off Fyansford #2 we might get to see it working again - on The Bellarine Railway - sometimes hauling The Blues Train.

One slight correction to the history though - Fyansford #3 (Australian Standard Garratt G33) replaced the two Beyer Peacocks in working loads from the quarry floor to the cement works until the company purchased the diesel (D1 - now on the broad gauge as T413).


If a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt wouldn't suit your track a live steam ASG is probably not the next on the build list?
Regards,

David Price
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by David P » Sun Feb 09, 2025 11:21 am

I should add that Jake's Avatar is of 0-6-0 ST Fyansford #4 (Vulcan Iron Works 2539 of 1916) from the Fyansford Cement Works - it and sister Vulcan #5 (Vulcan Iron Works 2540 of 1916) were replaced by Beyer Peacock Nos 1 & 2 on the haul from the quarry before the purchase of the ASG.

And I would have to agree with Jake - the Beyer Peacock 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Garratts were the best looking ones on the 3'6" in Australia - both in Western Australia and at the Cement Works.

Fyansford #3 (ASG G33) is bog ugly - and only its mother could love it......... :D

All of these locomotives have survived and are at The Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff, Victoria.

Cheers,
Regards,

David Price
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by GTB » Sun Feb 09, 2025 4:15 pm

David P wrote: Sun Feb 09, 2025 1:01 am
Now if Jake can get the AUD$35,000 to remove the asbestos blankets off Fyansford #2 we might get to see it working again - on The Bellarine Railway - sometimes hauling The Blues Train.

If a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt wouldn't suit your track a live steam ASG is probably not the next on the build list?
You'll need to find the money for asbestos removal sooner or later unfortunately. The chattering classes want it all removed, even from house soffits........

Have a read of John McNiell's article on the Fyansford system in Light Railways 120 which includes some info on traffic patterns. He was works manager when he retired and he had access to the old records, so I would expect the info to be accurate.

The issue with the proposed VR 2-6-2+2-6-2 on my track was largely due to the primitive Beyer Peacock suspension designs in the '20s, which I couldn't work around. If they had been built, I suspect the VR would have had trouble with them on 2 chain curves for the same reasons.

With a lead 4 wheel bogie, an ASG wouldn't get round my track and anyway, I wouldn't build a model of a loco designed by Fred Mills on a bet. That goes double for an ASG. 8)

Graeme

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by Andrew » Mon Feb 10, 2025 1:57 pm

Lonsdaler wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:12 pm The finish on that Baldwin will suit the Garratt very well.👍🏻
I agree!

What a lovely model - it'll look spectacular at the head of a long train...

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by GTB » Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:25 am

Andrew wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2025 1:57 pm - it'll look spectacular at the head of a long train...
:D

The VR operating rules for trains on their 2'6" lines hauled by the very similar G class Garratts were 20 bogie vehicles max, or 240 tons max.

I don't have that many bogie wagons, but with the weather the way it is here, I'm keeping occupied inside the house building a few more 4 wheelers to bring the total goods stock up to 80 axles.

Calculations suggest the Garratt will have the drawbar pull to handle that load, but we shall see......... I still worry that a train that long will stringline on curves. An 80 axle train works out at 9.5m long and about 18kg mass in the scale I use.

Graeme

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by David P » Wed Feb 12, 2025 1:43 am

GTB wrote: Sun Feb 09, 2025 4:15 pm
David P wrote: Sun Feb 09, 2025 1:01 am
Have a read of John McNiell's article on the Fyansford system in Light Railways 120 which includes some info on traffic patterns. He was works manager when he retired and he had access to the old records, so I would expect the info to be accurate.

With a lead 4 wheel bogie, an ASG wouldn't get round my track and anyway, I wouldn't build a model of a loco designed by Fred Mills on a bet. That goes double for an ASG. 8)

Graeme
Where would I find John's article?

Share your feelings about the ASG - it wasn't the greatest performer at the Cement Works according to the late Bert Gunnser's notes and did have a tendency to derail according to Bert. (the reason why Emu Bay put small flanges on what were flange-less wheels in the original builds).

Look forward to seeing your finished paint job..........
Regards,

David Price
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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by GTB » Wed Feb 12, 2025 11:51 am

David P wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2025 1:43 am
Where would I find John's article?
The LRRSA have made the electronic files of older Light Railways issues available for free, except the most recent twelve issues which are behind a paywall. It's a useful resource for the myriad of Aust railways that weren't part of the state govt. systems.

The link to the issue with the Fyansford article is below and the link to the file is partway down that page.

https://shop.lrrsa.org.au/product/light ... -download/

If you have a copy of Robert Butrims' book on the ASG, there is a list of the 200+ mods the TGR made to the beast, as well as the 38 recommendations of the Wolff Royal Commission. The TGR bought most of their ASGs before the EBR did, so the EBR may have followed the lead of the TGR when it came to modifications.

If you poke around on the net, you'll find a pdf of the Report of the Royal Commission into the ASG. There's also a pdf somewhere on the net of the CLTB Instruction Book for driving an ASG...... The royal commission report will be in the WA Parliamentary records which are available online. I think the instruction book scan may have come from the National Library of Aust. website.

Graeme

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Re: TVT - Magnum Opus

Post by Old Man Aaron » Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:06 pm

I've seen that report years back - some rather damning reading.. :lol:
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Aaron - Scum Class Works

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