Pictures courtesy of GWR Study Group - click to zoom in

The history of this class of 41 engines is quite complex, the first 21 engines being built new as Bulldogs whilst the remainder were rebuilds of the earlier Duke class. When built, the locomotives were fitted with standard Dean 2500 gallon or 3000 gallon tenders. Later, many of the class acquired standard Churchward 3500 gallon tenders.

From this kit any of the 41 curved framed engines can be built from circa 1904 to 1948. Alternative parts enable construction of an accurate model from circa 1904 to the withdrawal of the last member of the class in 1948. Included are three chimneys, safety valves with or without top feed, alternative cab sides and roofs, two different bogies and a choice of half cone or three quarter cone boilers.

Variations/Modifications incorporated into the kit

Outside frames:  Because the outside frames of the kit have the snap head rivets half etched, Lots 118 & 120 cannot be built in their original condition with flush frame rivets. The early Lots can of course be built in slightly later condition as they appear to have acquired frame strengthening plates and snap head rivets surprisingly quickly, probably during their first major shopping.

Boilers:  Two boilers are provided in the kit - the D2 half-coned and the D3 three-quarter coned. This means that Lots 118 and 120 cannot be built in their original condition with the DO parallel boiler.

Beading:  much of the decorative beading from the splashers and bogies was removed during the Great War (c. 1914 - 1918).

Cab cut-out:  the two sizes of cut-outs are provided.

Chimneys:  three different types are provided.

Bogies: originally of the swing hanger type with shallow frames, splasher beading and the small lower splashers. Many were replaced with deeper frames. Some were rebuilt to 'De Glehn' type without swing hangers and fitted with strengthening patches.

Coupling rods: Originally fluted. Replacement rods from c.1908 onwards were of plain section.

Reverser:  Originally steam reverse operated by a lever attached to the right hand cab side.  Most were later rebuilt with screw reverse disclosed by the small casing at the front of the cab on the right side.

Superheating:  Began in 1909. Disclosed by the lengthening of the smokebox by 9".

Top feed: In most cases top feed was fitted at the same time as superheating.

Smokebox saddle:  early flush rivets - later snap head rivets.

Cab roof:  early canvas covered wood - later two types of steel roof.

Cab spectacle windows:  plated over from 1926 onwards.

A.T.C. equipment:  put on all but 3302/9/20/34 between 1928 and 1931.

Vacuum pipe:  originally tall - later a shorter pattern introduced.

Variations/Modifications not incorporated into the kit

Boilers: The domed, raised Belpaire BR4 boilers fitted to 3312 and 3328-31 when built are not provided. After the usual transfer to other members of the class, the last of these was removed from 3291 in 1913.

Ten engines, at one time or another, carried domeless boilers with raised Belpaire fireboxes (type BR0). The last of these was removed from 3278 in 1929.

From 1926 five engines (3254/69/71/72/79) had the boiler pitch increased by 5” to accommodate a new pattern of piston valve cylinders.