Photo Harald Frank
The locomotive
This new project will be published on this site as progress gets along. The locomotive is a German Württembergische T3 which I'm designing with the aid of 3D cad software. I've bought a model of the loco from Brawa. This H0 fine scale model, a book of the loco and some photos of the preserved locos are the basis for this 7.25" design.
For its scale (1:8) this is a quite small locomotive, with the benefit that it hopefully still can be handled in my workshop. A larger loco on 7.25" gauge would be too much for my small workshop. And in my opinion most model live steam tracks in the Netherlands have the size of a branch line rather than a main line. Although the small size of this loco there are several 7.25” versions of the Prussian T3 and they are all very good performers on the track. They are in main dimensions very similar to this Königlich Württembergische Staatseisenbahnen (KWStE) version and as in real live these is also derived from the Prussian T3.
With an overall length of just under 1.10 meter and a weight of around 100kg the model should be able to do some work on a ground level track and it still can be transported in our family car.
The choice of the model
(Click on the small images to get a larger view)
It all started with the plan to build a small Stroudley Terrier A1 class 0-6-0 loco called New Port and designed by Don Young. A nice little engine on 7.25" gauge (184mm) was the next project after the 'Didcot'.
The wheel castings for this loco were (and still are) however exceptionally expensive at Reeves2000. Over 600,-- Euro for six wheels, ex. postage & package.
The wheel castings for this loco were (and still are) however exceptionally expensive at Reeves2000. Over 600,-- Euro for six wheels, ex. postage & package.
I was talking about this with a German model engineer, whom I'd met at the annual steam meeting in Den Haag Zuiderpark. Wolfgang told me he had some wheel castings, drawings, cylinders, a chimney and lots of other bits and pieces for a German 7.25" gauge T3 (see this video) he was not using anymore.
An appointment was quickly made and within a few weeks, I was the proud owner of a complete set of castings for a 7.25" gauge locomotive. The drawings and castings came from Live Steam Service.
An appointment was quickly made and within a few weeks, I was the proud owner of a complete set of castings for a 7.25" gauge locomotive. The drawings and castings came from Live Steam Service.
This Prussian T3 is a very nice loco indeed, but in a small book I read about a variation on this design, the so-called Württembergische T3 (89 3-4). All the parts could be used, only a new drawing had to be made. This gave me the opportunity to incorporate some ideas from earlier experiences with previous model locomotives and to get some hands-on experience with 3D solid modeling software like Inventor and Solid works.
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The preserved Württemberigsche T3 no.930 in 2021
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Frame in Inventor 2006
The general view in Inventor
Switch to Solidworks 2007
Solidworks Photoview 2010
Solidworks Photoview 2010
Solidworks 2011
A very nice model in 0 gauge (1:45) by Fritz Müller.
I've started with the book "Die Baureihe 89 3-4" by Werner Willhaus (EK-Verlag), which includes a few very clear drawings and plenty of photographs of the locomotive during its existence. The first was built in 1891 for the Königlich Württembergische Staatseisenbahnen (KWStE). Luckily few are still preserved in Germany.
Testing the frame at the track of the SMMB in Tilburg March 2011
At Steamday Stoomgroep Zuid in Loon op Zand march 2012
At Stoomgroep Stormpolder in june 2012
At Loon op Zand Exhibition March 2013
The drawing in Solidworks January 2016
The completed locomotive and goods train in June 2023.
Click below for a direct link to start of construction series of: