WRRC Forum

I have been asked to place this query on the forum on behalf of John Sutton to spread the net wider in the hope of eliciting a response.

"Could you direct me to gather information? I recently revived my modelling after many years and re-started a model of a white metal EM gauge Rhymney R class loco, at least I have always thought it to be an R Class. Lost all paper/box etc, but in my model draw were 2 boxed Nu-Cast AR class loco’s. This got me wondering did I remember correctly it was an R Class! Was there ever a White metal kit of the Rhymney R Class?
If you could help and let me know how I could ask the question above I would be very grateful."

Rod

John

Welcome back to the modelling fold.

My understanding is there there was only ever one kit, but if I've followed the story correctly it has been sold by Cotswold, NuCast and recently NuCast Paetners (which I'nm told isa joint enterprise between South East Finecast and Branchlines), and variously marketed as AR and R/R1.

The 'differences' between the classes is summarised in RCTS Part 10 - "Although they (the 1921 purchases) were usually referred to (sometimes officially) as the " AR " class and sometimes even as the " R1 " class, Mr. Riches called them plain "R" class in his specification, diagram, and lists, so this must be accepted as the official version; actually there were no major differences in design to warrant separate classification."

So what you have is a kit for an R, AR or R1, just get the details right - primarily the presence/absence or Westinghouse brake cylinders etc. and the position of the springs on the leading axle - and you can model any example of the class(es).

As a side note I used this kit as the basis for my model of B&MR No 39, substituting the Belpaire firebox with a round top (Cotswold kindly supplying a spare boiler section to facilitate this) and scratchbuilding a new cab and bunker rails. Chassis frames from Alan Gibson.

Cheers
Rod

If it helps at all, pages 34-39 of the Circle's Rhymney Railway Drawings book has drawings and other useful information on the various differences between the locos in question.

Branchlines advert in latest issue of Railway Modeller says that "Branchlines in conjunction with Chargelynn Ltd have acquired the former NUCAST kit range and these will be sold under the NUCAST PARTNERS name. For further details contact Brian at Branchlines on 01373 822231 or Dave at Nucast on 01342 822270."

Picked up a copy of the Nucast Partners list from Brian (Mr Branchlines) at Scaleforum recently. List is dated May 2023. Included in the list is "NC258 - Rhymney/GWR/BR Class R 0-6-2T". Price £100, including etched brass chassis.

Richard