Building the Mechanical Branch Models NSWGR 20,000 Gallon Single-Tier Cast Iron Water Tank

NSWGR 20000 Gallon Single-Tier Cast Iron Water Tank kit in HO scale by Mechanical Branch Models, PO Box 38, Beecroft 2119.Website: www.mechanicalbranchmodels.com.au . Price: $275.00.

The author has not provided any prototype notes on this type of NSWGR water tank, but readers wishing to know more about the locomotive water tanks of the NSWGR should refer to Peter Jarvis’ article ‘Steam Locomotive Watering Facilities’ in AMRM Issue 288 (June 2011) – Editor

This HO scale kit comprises over 300 high quality etched brass, etched nickel silver, cast polyurethane and 3D printed resin parts. The kit includes assembly jigs for scale joists and channel structural steelwork. Full colour assembly instructions and prototype information is downloadable from the Mechanical Branch website. Information is provided in the instructions to allow the modeller to build either the ‘tension ring’ or ‘clamped plate’ design of tank, with alkalinity plant. The instructions have been written in two parts:

• Part One: Construction of the 20000 gallon cast iron water tank, consisting of twenty six pages,

• Part Two: Construction of the attached alkalinity plant, consisting of nineteen pages.

These instructions must be printed out in colour, as there is an array of colour detailing information contained in the photographs of the tank along with a list of parts, prototype information and general construction guidelines. When you print them out, it pays to keep the pages in order, as they are not numbered.

Upon receiving the kit, I found that all parts were present after ticking them off the parts list on the downloaded instructions. I then stored most of them in ziplock plastic bags for security. The etched brass and nickel silver parts clearly state the name of each part, with part numbers, jigs, tank stand, tank, alkalinity stand and footings. However, I found that the top edge of the water tank was slightly damaged owing to the tank etching being placed into the box incorrectly.

I constructed the ‘clamped plate’ cross member style of tank stand, so my comments relate to that version only. The general guidelines state that solder assembly is recommended using tin/ lead solder and phosphoric acid as a flux. Having never used phosphoric acid as a flux, I sourced a 250ml plastic bottle from Bunnings, trade name ‘Rannex’, at a cost of $12.70. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) were supplied and I read that the acid can be harmful to the skin and eyes. Upon setting up for construction I ensured that a fan was present to dissipate fumes from the combined lead-based solder and phosphoric acid.

In the instructions there are a number of black and white diagrams. These diagrams give the modeller an overview of the dimensions that must be reproduced to build an accurate model. Accuracy is critical relating to box assembly, tank stand assembly, tank assembly and water treatment stand, top platform and the alkalinity plant. The diagram of the top platform has end and front views of critical dimensions. Placement of both ladders is indicated in a slightly enlarged diagram of the ladders at ground/rail level, and centre and top platform. All measurements are described in Imperial measurements, appropriate for the era these structures