Bachmann Robinson ROD Class 04 2-8-0

[mick]

The Bachmann website has recently been updated to include photographs of the forthcoming model of the Robinson Class 02 2-8-0 locomotives. The picture above is of 63601 in BR Black with late crest (Catalogue no. 31-001).

Three version are to be released initially with an anticipated release date of June/July 2010. The two remaining locomotives, pictured below, are of 63635 in BR Black with the early crest (Cat no. 31-002), and 6190 in LNER Black with LNER on the tender sides (Cat no. 31-003).

The Great Central Railway built 131 locomotives from 1911 onwards, to the designs of John G. Robinson, Chief Mechanical Engineer. During Great Central days these were designated the 8K Class, some saw service with the Great Western Railway. The 8K would be adopted by the Government for military purposes as part of the Railway Operating Division during World War One, and were used overseas during World War Two. This gave rise to their nickname 'RODs'.

The London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) purchased locomotives from the Railway Operating Division and classified them as Class 04. As the 04, it would become the most numerous of LNER heavy goods locomotives. The first locomotive was withdrawn by British Railways in 1959, and the last in 1966. One locomotive (No. 63601) has been preserved as part of the National Collection.

If the finished models look half as good as those depicted in these photographs then they will have been well worth the wait.

[cleanerg6e]

Yes one loco 63601 is preserved in the UK and three in Australia as thirteen were bought after the first world war by a coal mining magnate called John Brown. He was forever a thorn in the side of the New South Wales state government as he had a private standard gauge railway linking his coal mines. Called the Richmond Vale Railway it never had any through services from the government system as the government thought that all railways should be state owned not private. However his coal trains did run on the government owned system although with government owned motive power. The exchange sidings were at a place called Hexham. That place was also known for it's Oak Dairy where in times past you could buy a pint of milk in a glass bottle and the top quarter would be solid cream.

Roy.