Several model reviews have been published here at Locoyard; but one that is conspicuous by it’s absence is a review of Dapol/Kernow Model Rail Centre’s model of the Beattie Well-Tank.  Having noted that some hits to this website had come from people looking for a review for this, I thought it prudent to publish one tomorrow!

In the meantime, a little background to this unusual 2-4-0 Tank engine.  The design can be traced back as far as 1859 .  Three examples survived until withdrawal in 1962 and these were built in the early 1870’s and were kept running to work the Wenford Bridge branch line.  Their short wheel base on the tight corners of this branch line made them ideal and irreplaceable!

Of the three survivors that ran this branch line, two have been preserved, one (30585) at Buckingham Railway Centre and the other (30587 – above) is a member of the National Collection and lives on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, Cornwall.

An excellent article on these locomotives can be found on SEMG.