7 1/4 inch gauge Modelworks GWR Prairie

[deegee]

Hello,

Anyone know anything about the 7 1/4 inch gauge Modelworks GWR Prairie? I have just picked an unfinished one up? What design were they based on? Did they run? Issues? History? Etc.

Any help appreciated.

David.

[fostergp6nhp]

This one? www.stationroadsteam.com/stock%20pages/5265/index.htm

[deegee]

Aye

[wiltsrob]

Hia..

I have no experiance of this loco .... But looking at the pictures that station road have posted i would suggest it has at least 2 issues.

1. an aluminium smokebox ... the expanson of aluminium will cause issues with its fitting to the boiler and keeping it sealed ...

2. The boiler... the wall thickness and number of tubes would suggest it will be a real bugger to get to steam...it looks just like the galatea boiler that thay supplied but just a bit scaled up.
the galatea boiler would take an age to get to working pressure and then when running woulnt steam at all meaning have to stop and raise steam before continuing...

www.westernsteam.co.uk/jessie.htm

is a picture of a jessie boiler which is tiny in compared to the prarrie .. have alook at the number and wall thicknesses...

I would suggest before buying it getting your local club boiler man to look at the pics as well. I am no expert on winson/modelworks engines only that i have been fighting my kits for nearly 10 years now and still havnt got the thing finished ( can see the finish line now )

Robert

[leighsailor]

hi, I am not sure from the photos if this is an aluminium smokebox or steel, but would strongly advise its replacement if it is aluminium.
I had one fitted to a Hercules, it was a commercial casting available from, I think, the "old " Reeves.
After a few years it started tio dissovlve, because when it got wet, in contact with copper, severe electrolitic corrosion occoured, to the extent that some silver was leached from the tubeplate joints, as well as the collapse of the smokebox itself.
Like Wiltsrob, I have been fighting a number of second hand Winson/Modelworks models.
Provided you are prepared for the fact that nothing is straight forward, then some fine models can be built from the kits.
You have only look to John Johnson's fine 5in "Oliver Cromwell" and that another Britannia won IMLEC last year to show what can be done.
Be prepared to replace/remanufacture some parts.
Built with "spanners & a few small tools" has not been my experience, but its worth a try.
leighsteamer

[deegee]

Thanks for the advice guys - very useful.

Does anyone know how many of these sold - or if anyone else has one?

david.

[rhaetic54]

Hi david,
I have one and its about 70% complete. What problems have you come across?
Cheers
Kim
[e-mail]

[rhaetic54]

Hi David,
I have one and its about 70% complete. What problems have you come across?
Cheers
Kim
[e-mail]
about 15 were built. I have the rights and plans, patterns etc.
Kim