Commission: Bagnall DL2 in OO…

The Bagnall ‘DL2’* is a chunky purposeful and somewhat ugly industrial diesel, typical of the mechanical low powered examples used across the UK as steam was phased out at industrial sites and replaced with internal combustion…

* the DL2 moniker is disputed by Bagnall expert Allan Baker, see below.

Earlier this year saw the design work for this commission undertaken, it follows my usual ‘kit’ philosophy of a 3D printed core that is sized to fit the donor chassis, combined with etched metal overlays that allow fine detail and where possible near flush glazing. The intent being that the work will result in a limited run batch of the models for Planet Industrials, more on that when I work out how to organise it! 

The finished model is based upon limited information and drawings of similar prototypes and captures the character of these burly prototypes well. Essentially a BR Class 04 with different body, Bagnall saw the NCB turn out to be its biggest customer for the type. Several similar examples have survived into preservation.

I am very grateful for my customer undertaking the research for this project, Phil Bartlett has prepared a short précis of the class and the locomotives that can be built from the kit: 

“I am still writing up the history of these locos but can briefly summarise that your kit can build the following WB3092 3093 3117 3118 3119 3134 3135 and 3136. These were all "four doors" with three piece windscreens, and were all NCB Staffordshire locos.

WB3147 3149 3150 were delivered to NCB Staffordshire at Wolstanton - were "four door" locos but had the two piece windscreens.

WB3148 was delivered to BSC in Briton Ferry and "may" have been identical to 3147 3149 and 3150 certainly had the same wheels and engine. 

WB3151 was laid down in 1958 as a "four door" but with two piece windscreens - same as the Wolstanton trio. But this one didnt have a buyer so they used it for different engine trials it's Gardner 8L3 was changed for a Dorman 6QA after Dorman bought out Bagnall. The loco was sent to BP at the Isle of Grain in Feb 1962 but left in October 1962 to RSH at Darlington. This was because EE bought out Dorman and rhe RSH works was selected to remove the flameproofing and centre flanges, whereupon it went to Shsrpness docks for British Waterways. Sold in 1997 to the Appleby Frodingham PS it is now known as Debbie and i think is at the Lincolnshire Wolds PS.  

Oddball WB3160 appears identical in configuration to "five door" WB3122/3 with the three piece screens. This one went to work at Coryton, then Pitstone then Ketton cement in Rutland. Scrapped 2004.

WB3161 also appears to have been identical. A "five door" with three piece windscreens, this one went to NCB at Aberaman in South Wales in 1961 and was scrapped in 1982. During it's career it suffered a mishap and some cab damage so had two circular ""portholes" instead of the rectangular centre screen.

Sorry for the ramble James but thought it important to give you an idea of the potential for your work. I was politely corrected by Allan C Baker for incorrectly describing the type as the DL2. Apparently that designation was only for WB3151 when it was at Sharpness.”

 

If you have a prototype you’d like to recreate in miniature I’m able to offer a complete design, prototype and build service. Whether it’s a traditional scratch-build or a modern multi-media approach (as here) you and I will develop the model together, ensuring the results match your ambitions and feels as much of your hand as my own. Get in touch for a no obligation fixed price proposal using the contact form here on the website, via Facebook (where you can email me) or using the forum messaging systems. Until next time, more soon…

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