GEM A4 Class Pacific

[AstroGoat760]

Here is a white metal TT3 kit of the A4 Class 4-6-2.


Here is the XT60 motor that is used to power the engine.
The motor is not included, and there are three options for motors:
1.) Tri-Ang XT60 - Easily found on eBay, and is basically the UK equivalent of the Pittman DC-60 commonly used in HP Products items.
2.) K's Mark II - this motor is very hard to find, as it was in limited production even when TT3 was in mass production and distribution in the UK.
3.) Custom Fit - The worm gear that couples the motor to the drive gear must be selected and fitted properly for this to work.
The photo below is of the XT60 motor.


The motor for the locomotive is fitted onto a Tri-Ang 4-6-2 chassis that is included with the kit. The locomotive is a relatively simple affair of assembling the shell, mounting the motor on the chassis, and fitting the shell onto the chassis. The tender is basically a "flat kit" that must be built up one side at a time.

[AstroGoat760]

Here is what a an almost completed GEM A4 Pacific looks like:

And the tender:

[AstroGoat760]

corgi, owned by hornby, does a diecast model of an A4 ... in 1:120 oddly enough.

http://www.corgi.co.uk/shop/rail-legend ... rter-blue/

it's seen as a bit of blunder in this country where TT is 1:101.6. someone enterprising might try to motorise one.

the range is here: http://www.corgi.co.uk/shop/rail-legends/?page=2

when you see a 1:120 british steam loco you can see why TT is 'bigger' here ... in the 1950s when it was developed they would have had problems fitting motors into locos that small. it's also too small to be that different to N.

they are mainly sold (or more to the point, not sold) by a chain called modelzone that went into administration a couple of weeks ago. modelzone shops are in prime locations in most larger UK towns, their shops stuffed with beautiful but very expensive diecast toys, which never managed to shift off the shelves.

it always amazed me how they made any money, and to find that, actually, they didn't, isn't surprising.

The problem is that the only usable part of the model Corgi sells is the shell. The running gear is solid and the wheels are unsuitable for actual track running.

The chassis is pretty well unusable for motorizing, although models of the Dwight Eisenhower and the Dominion of Canada in 1:120 could be used as museum pieces for a North American layout, as the Dwight Eisenhower was donated to the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI, and the Domionion of Canada was donated to the Canadian Railroad Museum in Delson/Saint Constant, Quebec. Both are presently in England, at the National Railway Museum in York, England for the 75th anniversary of the "record breaking" run of fellow A4 4-6-2 "Mallard".