Penrhyn Quarry Mainline Hunslet Blanche Lined Black Early 0-4-0ST

Discover the history of the Penrhyn Quarry Mainline Hunslet Blanche superbly detailed 0-4-0ST locomotive from Bachmann

Published on Sep 18, 2023.

Scale: 1:76 | Gauge: 9mm | 009 | Ready To Run

The Penrhyn Railway was built to carry slate from the quarries at Bethesda to Port Penrhyn, near Bangor, where it was loaded into ships for export. The line was opened in 1801 and was originally worked by horses. In 1877 the line was converted to 1 foot 10 inch gauge and steam locomotives were introduced.

Hunslet Works No, 589 Blanche which left the Works on the 22nd June 1893, one week before sister engine No. 590 Linda which was the last of three similar locomotives built to the order of Lord Penrhyn for the Penrhyn Railway in North Wales.

The first locomotive of the class No. 283 Charles was despatched to Penrhyn on the 27th May 1882. It was an 0-4-0 saddle tank of 1' 10" gauge with outside cylinders 10" diameter x 12" stroke. The steep inclination of the cylinders at 1 in 6 down to the driving axle gave the locomotive it's distinctive appearance, but they were positioned to enable the crossheads to clear the leading crankpins and so permit the connecting rods to be placed in between the coupling rods and the flycranks.

By adopting this form of construction the transverse centres of the cylinders could be kept as close as possible and the width of the engine reduced to a minimum. The steam chests were above che cylinders and the slide valves were operated from Stephenson's link motion between the frames through suspended valve connecting rods, rocking levers and a rocking shaft as we can see in this exquisite model.

When No. 589 "BLANCHE" was built 11 years later some modifications were made to the design so they were not an exact repeat of No. 283. The cylinders were enlarged to 1' 11" diameter and the boiler was redesigned to provide slightly more grate area, 5.2 sq.ft. as against 4.5 on "CHARLES". At the trailing end the frames were lengthened 3" and the cab was fitted with a rear weather screen. The top half of the screen was held in position by bolts so that it could be removed easily during summer weather. Circular spectacles were' fitted in the weather screens.

Other departures from the original design included a conventional slide valve regulator in the dome with a lubricator on top of the dome. The engines were not provided with sanding gear.

The first two engines were painted in the Penrhyn Railway's standard livery of lined black with red buffer beams and red lining. The name "BLANCHE" was carried on the side tanks in gold leaf and the number 2 in gold leaf on the cab sides.

The 0-4-0 wheelbase is replica but quite short whilst the body with couplings can derail stock being pulled on sharp radius curves. On gentler more prototypical curves this is not a problem

This model is a replica of the early livery of the locomotive and is a fine example of the quality of Bachmann's ready to run narrow gauge models.

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