The Model Train Shop

Precision Miniatures
South African Railways Class 19D 4-8-2 with Vanderbilt tender

PROTOTYPE HISTORY

The final order of fifty of the class were delivered in 1949 by North British Locomotive to the design of then Chief Mechanical Engineer, Dr M.M. Loubser. Although the locomotive was the same as the previous version, they differed by having a large cylindrical tender of the Vanderbilt type running on two three axle bogies. These tenders gave the locomotives a much increased range between water stops in arid parts of the country. Like all of the preceding 19 Classes, these locomotives saw service throughout the system.

MODEL DETAILS

This model is only available in ready to run form and can be ordered in 16.5mm or 12 mm gauge. The model locomotive uses the same running gear as the MR tendered version, but uses an exclusive to Precision Miniatures all etched brass model of the Vanderbilt tender. The model provides ample space for the installation of decoders and speakers in either the tender or loco. At this time there are no plans to sell the tender as a separate item. Precision Miniatures recommends that this loco should not be operated on curves of less than 650 mm radius. The model is supplied with Kadee No. 5 couplers on the 16.5 mm version and Kadee No. 58 coupler on the 12mm version.

Precision Miniatures
South African Railways Class 6J

PROTOTYPE HISTORY

The 6J can trace its lineage back to the original 6th Class designed by Locomotive Superintendent, M. Stephenson for fast passenger service on the Cape Government Railways. These locos were built by both American and British builders between 1893 and 1904. The 6J was a bar framed locomotive built by Neilson Reid and Co. and entered service in 1902. There were 14 locomotives in the class and were initially used on the Cape Main line.  The locomotives used Stephensons valve gear and the last of the Class was withdrawn from service at Bethlehem in 1972

MODEL DETAILS

The kit is available only in 16.5mm gauge but Precision Miniatures can supply the necessary drive axles to convert the model to 12mm gauge.The model is constructed almost entirely from white metal castings with some etched brass components and nickel silver motion and valve gear. The relatively simple construction of the model makes it an ideal starter for those who wish to learn low melt soldering techniques and the skills required to build the more complicated locomotive models in the range. The model is supplied with Kadee No. 5 couplers on the 16.5 mm version and Kadee No. 58 couplers on the 12mm version. Precision Miniatures recommends that this loco should not be operated on curves of less than 550 mm radius. There is space in the tender for the installation of a sound decoder and speaker.

Precision Miniatures
South African Railways Class 19D 4-8-2 with type MR tender

PROTOTYPE HISTORY

The 19D can trace its ancestry all the way back to four 19 Class locos designed by Col. F.R. Collins that were delivered by Berliner Machinenbau in 1928. In 1939 W.A.J. Day decide to upgrade the preceding 19C by replacing the rotary cam poppet valves for Walschaerts valve operation. The 19D deliveries started before the war with 135 delivered by Krupp, Borsig and Skoda. After the war a further 50 were supplied by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn Limited. These locos were supplied with vacuum brakes. These were very versatile locomotives and were used across the entire SAR network, and were one of the last classes to be withdrawn with the end revenue steam operations on the SAR.

Precision Miniatures
South African Railways GCA 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt

PROTOTYPE HISTORY

The GCA was designed as an improvement on his experimental GC by Colonel Collins. The 33 locomotives of this class were delivered in 1927 by Fried Krupp of Germany. The locomotive had a coal capacity of 7 tons and 2000 gallons of water. They were designed for service on the Natal South Coast, but were eventually found operating on the Underberg and Greytown branches as well as the Nelspruit-Graskop branch line. They were all withdrawn from service by 1978.

MODEL DETAILS

The kit is available only in 16.5mm gauge but Precision Miniatures can supply the necessary drive axles to convert the model to 12mm gauge.This kit is constructed almost entirely of etched brass with some white metal detail castings and nickel silver running and valve gear. Like the GMAM the rear engine is driven, while the front engine free wheels. The model uses a Mashima can motor and a worm and pinion drive. The rear engine provides pickup on one side while front engine picks up the opposite polarity. This is a very complex model to build and it is only recommended for experienced loco kit builders. Currently Precision Miniatures does not offer a ready to run version due to the amount of man hours involved in assembly. We have in the past successfully installed a sound decoder and speaker in this loco. As with the 6J we recommend curves no sharper that 550 mm for satisfactory operation.

Precision Miniatures
South African Railways Class GMAM Garratt 4-8-2+2-8-4

PROTOTYPE HISTORY

Between 1954 and 1956, Beyer Peacock, North British Locomotive and Henschel delivered 150 of this class to the South African Railways. The class consisted of the GMAM, for operation on mainlines as denoted by the M at the end. By moving baffles in the coal tender and water tank the capacity could be reduced to 11,6 tons of coal and 1650 gallons of water from 14 tons and 2100 gallons for branch line operation, for track laid with 60lb rail.The locomotives were superheated and used the latest technology available at the time with one piece cast steel frames, roller bearing axle boxes, and Walschaerts valve gear. These locomotives always trailed an auxiliary water tank, to increase the distance between water stops. They saw service on most secondary and branch lines around the country. They were the last Garratts in service on the SAR, and were still in industrial service up to the end of the 20th Century

MODEL DETAILS

The kit is available in both 16.5mm and 12mm gauge versions. The model faithfully copies the dimensions of the prototype, and can represent either the GMA or the M version.  Everything is included in the box to complete an accurate running model. The builder needs to supply a temperature controlled soldering iron, paint and glue. The kit can be built with a basic set of modeling hand tools. The components comprise of white metal casting and etched brass with finely machined axles and bearings etc. The loco is powered by the rear engine unit, using a Mashima can motor and precision 45:1 reduction gearbox. The front engine unit freewheels. The rear engine provides pickup on one side while front engine picks up the opposite polarity. There is ample room in the boiler/ash pan to fit a sound decoder and speaker. The model is supplied with Kadee No. 5 couplers on the 16.5 mm version and Kadee No. 58s on the 12mm version. Precision Miniatures recommends that this loco should not be operated on curves of less than 650 mm radius.