Tafsil is no ordinary Great Western branch line layout. True, the station and its yard are typical GWR, although it is not a model of anywhere in particular.
However, a closer look at the locos reveals that many of the tank engines represent classes of the original pre-group railway companies from the South Wales Valleys. Tank engines, which didn't need turning in the narrow confines of the valleys, were dominant.
This web page seeks to introduce some of these delightful workhorses to the viewer.
Most of them have been "scratch-built", largely of plasticard. There are a few brass kit built locos in the stud.
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Rhymney Railway class S 0-6-0 tank
GWR No. 808, formerly Rhymney No. 111
Built in 1908 by Hudswell Clarke and used in Cardiff Docks until the grouping. Extensively rebuilt by GWR to the condition shown in the model.
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Barry Railway class C 2-4-2 tank
GWR No. 1322
This was the only example of this small class of passenger engine to be re-built substantially by the GWR. The model depicts the loco as running shortly before withdrawal in 1928. |
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Cardiff Railway 0-6-2 tank
There were only four of these rather peculiar looking tanks built for shunting the extensive docks in Cardiff. The side tanks extended the whole length of the loco to the front of the smoke box, tapering at the front to improve visability for the driver. |
Taff Vale Railway class A 0-6-2 tank
GWR No. 385, formerly Taff Vale No. 165.
The Taff Vale Railway had 58 engines built in this class primarly for passenger use. The model shows the result of extensive rebuilding by the GWR. This engine was finally withdrawn in 1956. |
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Barry Railway class B1 0-6-2 tank
GWR No. 274, original Barry No. 123.
One of a class of 42 locos, most of which were heavily modified by the GWR. Many lasted in this way until around 1950. |
Rhymney Railway class R 0-6-2 tank
Depicted in original Rhymney livery, No. 45
Built by Beyer Peacock in 1921. Hardly altered by the GWR, until rebuilt with GWR tapered boiler in 1943. Finally withdrawn in 1954. |
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Barry Railway class E 0-6-0 tank
GWR No 784, formerly Barry Raily No. 51
Five of these little tank engines were built for the Barry Railway in 1890 by Hudswell Clarke. They were designed for light work in and around the docks. They were the only engines allowed through the Tunnel on Barry Island to the breakwater sidings. The wooden blocks on the buffer beam were for dealing with coal tubs in the docks. |
Barry Railway class A 0-6-0 tank
Scratch built, mainly plasticard, shown in plain Barry freight livery |
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Barry Railway G Class 0-4-4
Passenger tank engine of the Barry, No. 90. Scratch built, this time using a biscuit tin for the boiler, the rest is plasticard..
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Swansea Harbour Trust 0-4-0 saddle tank
GWR No 968, formerly SHT No 12
The Swansea Harbour Trust decided in 1905 to purchase its own locomotives to shunt the docks, rather than relying on contractors. Small 0-4-0 industrial type tanks were purchased, so that by the time of grouping 14 locos of various types were handed over to the GWR. No. 12 was a 33 ton Peckett saddle tank, which survived virtually unaltered until 1960. At some point it would have received a GWR safety valve. |
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LNWR "Webb Special Tank" 0-6-0 tank
The London and North Western Railway managed to infiltrate the South Wales coalfield with a line running east-west at the heads of the valleys, with branches South tapping the rich coal traffic to the Midlands. These lines were taken over by the LMS, rather than the GWR in 1922/3. |
Rhymney Railway class K 0-6-2 tank
Outside framed, saddle tank, one of a class of 46 locos which were one of the mainstays of coal workings on this railway. This is a brass kit finished in original lined livery of the Rhymney as No. 86. |
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Barry Railway J Class
Standard passenger tank engine of the Barry, No. 90. A larger version of the class C (shown above). This is a brass kit, finished in original lined livery of the Barry - note the number on the chimney.
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Barry Railway class H 0-8-2 tank
Brass kit of loco after adoption by the Great Western.
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Barry Railway F Class
0-6-0 saddle tank used for freight shunting. This is a brass kit, finished in original unlined livery of the Barry.
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Under construction
Taff Vale Railway S Class
The Taff Vale Railway bought just one of these diminutive 0-4-0 tank engines for shunting purposes. It survived for a number of years in GWR ownership.
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