Build a Commonwealth Railways G Class 4-6-0
Building the Model
Ixion make two versions of the C32. The version required for this project is the angled footplate version. As a consequence, my comments relate only to this version. The Ixion C32 is a very nicely detailed model. It has very fine detail in the form of moulded rivets, wire handrails and wire representing pipe work and the backhead provides an excellent representation of the interior of a steam engine cab.
The loco has directional lighting with Light Emitting Diode (LED) headlight and back-up lights. The headlight (first batch) has an ‘odd’ opaque lens. However, when the light is on, it looks fine and consequently is not of concern to me. The loco has NMRA RP25-88 profile wheels, which are also nicely ‘blackened’. The rods are also nicely etched. There are electrical pick-ups on the drivers and the tender wheels. As a consequence, there is light drag on the tender wheels. Despite this drag, the loco runs very smoothly.
This article aims to create a facsimile of a CR G class, specifically representing G1 around the time it was withdrawn. Comparing prototype photos with the model, several key visual differences become apparent. The visual differences from front to back are:
• The G has a cow catcher (pilot) which will need to be built or use a suitable substitute
• The G does not have buffers (locomotive and tender)
• The G has a front knuckle coupler
• The headlight needs number boards
• The chimney location on the G is towards the rear of the smokebox in comparison with the C32
• The G does not have clack valves on top of the boiler behind the smokebox
• The G has a cylindrical air reservoir tank on the left-hand footplate adjacent to the smoke box
• The framing below the smokebox does not reflect the G accurately (the G retained the original shape of the P class frames, rather than the ‘built up’ frames that evolved on the NSWGR).
This is the most difficult aspect to change. However, these instructions will provide an 85% solution to this aspect
The C32 whistle needs to be moved to the front centre of
