The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 6 (October 1, 1929)

Our Query Corner

Our Query Corner

A correspondent, “Interested,” asks for some particulars concerning the Class Ba. locomotive recently converted to a modern standard and featured in the Magazine. The Chief Mechanical Engineer, to whom our correspondent's queries were submitted, replies as follows:—

The new boiler fitted to Ba. 552 (not 497 as was stated in error) has a wide firebox with a grate area of 26 sq. ft. It is a smaller boiler than that of the Ab. type, being shorter in the barrel. The foundation ring, also, slopes down towards the throat plate instead of being horizontal as in the case of the Ab. No alteration has been made to the wheel arrangement of the engine (an additional bogie wheel at the back end not being necessary), but the boiler is carried high on the frames, the centre line of the barrel being 7ft. 4in. above the rail. The main frames have been cut down at the top between the driving and intermediate coupled wheels, and the front of the firebox sits down on this lower part of the frame, the remainder of the firebox resting over the intermediate and trailing coupled wheels. The alteration has been made without adding any appreciable weight to the engine.

A Fine Model Locomotive The height of a boy's ambition. Mr. F. L. Campion and his model “Ws” locomotive. The model locomotive illustrated above was built by Mr. F. L. Campion, railway fireman, New Plymouth, in a workshop attached to his home. When in operation it is extremely interesting to watch, the regular beat of the exhaust and the graceful motion of the perfectly functioning Walschaert valve gear being especially interesting. It is a perfect replica in miniature of the “Ws” type of locomotive in service on our railways, and runs on a three-inch steel track, on ground level, drawing passenger trolleys sufficiently strong to bear the weight of an average person. With the exception of the castings, which were made at a local foundry, the model is entirely Mr. Campion's own handiwork, and he is to be congratulated on his achievement.

A Fine Model Locomotive
The height of a boy's ambition.
Mr. F. L. Campion and his model “Ws” locomotive.
The model locomotive illustrated above was built by Mr. F. L. Campion, railway fireman, New Plymouth, in a workshop attached to his home. When in operation it is extremely interesting to watch, the regular beat of the exhaust and the graceful motion of the perfectly functioning Walschaert valve gear being especially interesting. It is a perfect replica in miniature of the “Ws” type of locomotive in service on our railways, and runs on a three-inch steel track, on ground level, drawing passenger trolleys sufficiently strong to bear the weight of an average person. With the exception of the castings, which were made at a local foundry, the model is entirely Mr. Campion's own handiwork, and he is to be congratulated on his achievement.