Prototype & Model
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Prototype & Model |
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My next project is the model of the Class 342 Steamer.
The reasons for choosing this prototype were rather complex.
I already had a set of drivers, as they
were surplus for the Kandó electric model. It has the same size drivers
with the same number of spokes. First I had the idea to model the
Class 424 loco, probably the most
popular steamer in Hungary. But being the most popular, many scratchbuilders
in Hungary made already models of it. I was looking for a less common prototype
with the same size and type of drivers. This was the Class 342. Two prototypes
are still available, the
MÁV 342,006
in the Budapest Loco Museum, and the
Yugoslavian (now Slovenian)
Class 17.006, former MÁV 342,164 as active member of the Slovenian
State Railway, SZ's museum stock. I had the opportunity to take photos of
both.
Unfortunately the pictures of the Slovenian engine have
limited value for model building: as this loco has been rebuilt with copper
firebox boiler. There was no Class 342 steamer in Hungary with copper firebox,
all were equipped with steel tube Brotan
boiler, thus I wanted to model this version. As I build two models of
this class I decided to model two slightly different prototypes. Several
original Class 342s were constructed with a steam distributor on the top
of the boiler behind the stack. Here the steam tube is fully visible.
You can see this version on the
slovenian machine.
Others, however, had the steam distributor inside the boiler, and the steam
tubes leave the boiler on the sides. This is visible on the
MÁV 342,006
in the Budapest Loco Museum. Thus my two models will show these two versions.
When designing and building this model I tried to use all that I learned from my American and British books, especially R. Guy Williams' book. Thus these models are equipped with compensated wheelsets and a stand-alone gearbox. I also tried to use my own experiences and thus the model's cylinder block, yoke and valvegear is constructed in one single removable building block. The "shell" will be also a stand-alone block, fixed by screws to the frame.
After 5 years of work - of course parallel with the previous models
- the first Class 342 model was ready in 2003.
She made her first rounds on the test oval and
nicely hauled long mixed trains.
Her speed is moderate but she runs quietly.
The second model was a task for 2003/2004.
The first model has been awarded by a first prize in Category A1 (Scratch Built Motive Power) on the 50th Annual Exhibition and Contest of the Hungarian Railroad Modelers' Association in September 2003. The second model was finished in 2004 and it was awarded by the first prize in that year.
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This page was updated last time on 28th September 2004
© János Erö
