BNR 'N' Class Beyer Garratt

[prabal276]

Hello Folks,

Greetings from India!
I'm relatively new to the forum, came to know about it from a friend a few months back...

I have been making paper models since I was 12 (I'm 19 now). I've repainted quite a lot of Airplane models. My latest repaint being Edwin's 777 in TNT livery. I'm also repainting the paper-trade F-7A in CN colors. I mainly use Inkscape for my repaints.

Never tried my hand at designing models from scratch though. My first model design (I used Fusion 360 and pepakura designer) was the Indian Railways WDM 3D Locomotive class. Although it turned out very pretty, (images attached) it had dimensional inaccuracies. So I'm gonna rework the model. Designing that model was a great learning experience.

Coming to the Beyer Garratt, BNR (Bengal Nagpur Railways) operated these 4-8-0+0-8-4 locomotives from the 1940s-1970s and by the Indian locomotive nomenclature, these beauties were named the 'N' class. The 'N' class along with the 'P' and 'NM' class were the largest steam locomotives to ply on indian rails. 16 of these were built by the Beyer & Peacock Company. Locomotive number 815R is displayed at the National Rail Museum here in Delhi.

I plan to go about this model slowly and keep it detailed. Not impossible level details, But detailed enough to look good. I want to keep the model Beginner-friendly.

I've decided that the model should be 1:43 scale so as to keep it consistent with my other designs. (I know people will want 1:48 scale so as to display it on O scale track. However, as many of you may be knowing, we use 5' 6" broad gauge rails here in India. Hence, the 1:48 scale model won't fit. To make it fit on the 1:48 scale track, I'll have to make the model in 1:52 scale which will make it too tiny). Who knows, maybe I'll call 1:43 the Indian O gauge.

I'm currently on the lookout for details. I plan to go to the National Rail Museum and capture a ton of photos. I haven't been able to find drawings of this specific locomotive. If I am unable to locate drawings/dimensions, The Last straw would be to go and manually measure up the actual locomotive with a 30-meter tape measure.

I'm also attaching a few images of the Beyer Garratt here at the NRM to tempt you guys

Best Regards,
Prabal

[mayank parab]

Hey prabal,
congradulations on your new beginning. That is one good model of the WDM3D you have made. Even though it has inaccuracies, the output seems quite good. All the best with your future projects. Looking forward to make your models when you release.For the BNR N class beyer garatt, that is one good choice.
Good Luck!!!

[Kevin WS]

Prabal - very nice model of the WDM3D - it lookls the part certainly so don't worry about the minor issues the model may have. Mot people will never notice, and anyway its your model at the end of the day. Of you are happy with it!!!!!!!

The Garratt is a super choice - I love those locos. I am not certain if I have reference drawings on the BNR Garratt but I will have a look for you. Maybe!

There is a nice EAR&H Garratt build going on at the moment in the Forum here - have a look...

Angraf Kur 87 Karamoja

[southwestforests]

Originally Posted by prabal276

I've decided that the model should be 1:43 scale so as to keep it consistent with my other designs. (I know people will want 1:48 scale so as to display it on O scale track.

That brings to mind this which may be of interest,

is it 1:43 or 1:48??

is it 1:43 or 1:48?? - Classic Toy Trains Magazine

American--1/48, or 1/4 inch per foot

Continental European--1/45, corresponding to 32 millimeter gauge

British--1/43.5, or 7 millimeters per foot (This is the O that HO is half of.)

[prabal276]

Thank you so much, everyone!
I'm not familiar with the reply function on the forum. Will appreciate it if someone can help me with how to reply to each member individually...

@mayank_parab thank you so much.

@Kevin WS thank you so much, sir! I would greatly appreciate you looking up your blueprints database. I'm also actively following that Garratt build!

@southwestforests sir, the never-ending controversy. I think I'll go forward with 1:43 and call it the Indian O Gauge XD

I did come across a guy on eBay selling original Beyer & Peacock Co drawings of the original 'NM' class BNR Garratt. I would have purchased them but 72 pounds+ 13 pounds shipped is a lot of money.

I'm visiting the National rail museum tomorrow. Plan to take note of the basic dimensions of the locomotive. I've drawn up a side view and a top view from the references I was able to find. Attaching them below. Ofcourse, the attached image must be riddled with errors. I don't recommend using them.

I think I'll first have to create a full set of drawings with dimensions and details before starting to model the locomotive in 1:43 scale.

Best Regards,
Prabal

[prabal276]

Hey!

Just an Update!! I visited the National Rail Museum and noted down all the dimensions of the N Class Garratt. Took a good 4 hours of me and my father toiling away in the heat.
But I guess it will be worth it

I've attached a photo of me on top of the Garratt

Regards,
Prabal

[Kevin WS]

Very nice Prabal. So you got the info! Good they let you climb over the loco.

I will still look for some drawings, but remember I am not certain I have!

[prabal276]

That's perfectly okay sir!
I started designing the 1:1 3D model, in order to have the required drawings and references for the paper model. Hope to complete it within this month.
This project is definitely a long project. A marathon rather than a sprint!

[Kevin WS]

A great start.

If you took other pictures at the museum, I would love to see them. You can post them here as well if you want...

Railway Pics - Locos, Rolling Stock, Buildings, Etc!

[prabal276]

Just some updates on the full-size 3D model of the 'N' class Garratt.
started work on the cab...
@ Kevin WS sir, I do have pictures, will upload them this weekend