Rogers Locomotive Works Double Ender, 2-4-4T (the model)
This lil Rogers 2-4-4T was based on the etching in the Rogers catalogue from the 1880s, however the loco, along with
several shown in the Rogers catalogue date from the 1870s. The dome style and British Spring balance safety valves
place it somewhere in the earlier part of the 1870s.
Originally built for Mexico's narrow gauge rails, the model represent the prototype but is aptly renamed '
Lady Ryanne' the owner of the loco! The model is 1:20.3 scale.
The model was bashed from the new Bachmann 0-4-0T saddle tank Porter, but not much except the chassis wheels and rods was
reused. The rest of the loco's components were derived from various sources such as:
Original 1987 Delton Brass headlight and bracket.
Hartland pilot
Accucraft Radley Hunter stack (designed for their 1:24 4-4-0, perfect
for a tiny 1:20.3 loco as well!)
Hartland modular chassis cylinders and steam chests.
Hartland Bell.
Much modified Lionel 0-6-0T cab
Modified Hartland rear tender tank
Hartland rear truck.
Small Bachmann metal wheels were used in the pilot truck and rear truck.
The pilot deck, pilot truck, saddle, boiler/smokebox domes, cab/tender deck & frame were scratch made.
This represents my first attempt in 20 years in using Poly Clays for 'difficult' parts! As a teenager I used the old
German 'FIMO' to make locomotive domes. The unusual styling of the sand and steam domes on this Rogers meant another
approach for dome making was needed. having messed around with Primo and Sculpy in Mr Walas' figure class, I thought
I'd give Primo a go for the domes as well! They came out OK, but full control of Primo is still something that eludes me!
Also the full polished brass steam dome, when painted show up every possible defect and the fact that getting Primo ice
smooth is some task. The domes are far from perfect but they have the character I was after.
Another feature I enjoyed modeling was the 1870s crosshead water pumps. They actually pump when the model runs and make
for some interesting viewing. The pumps themselves were made from brass tube and rod, while the water manifolds, mounted
back on the frame are left overs from a Rogers AMT 'General' kit. This loco was not fitted with injectors, only the
crosshead pumps. A pull rod from the cab down to the water pump assembly was used to turn on the water supply when the
boiler needed topping up. The pull rods are represented as those diagonal rods below the running boards, going back to the
cab. The very exposed cylinder drain cock mechanisms are also a pretty standard Rogers feature.
The locomotive colour scheme was developed with much help from Jim Wilke. The scheme is a plum colour, not quite maroon
and not quite purple. The wheels are an orange/red. Decoration includes gold and red stripes.
The classic Rogers fluted sand dome top is painted in a rainbow of blue, green, red and yellow, in equal numbers around the
dome. Rogers domes were not always painted this way, in fact it is probably the minority of locos done this way, however a
transcript of the newly delivered Rogers 2-4-2s to New Zealand in 1878 describe the dome tops as painted in this way. (see
the Hudson's Double Ender, (the history) page for a look at the 2-4-2 restored to this look). The cab
roof is lead colour, while the running board tops and tender top is a dusty brown.
The plum base colour and red/orange wheels is a colour scheme used by Rogers and other builders during the early 1870s.
The model has some selective compression in length, due to the Bachmann Porter wheel base being shorter than the Rogers
Prototype. The cab styling is also slightly different to the cab in the Rogers catalogue, while the proportion is a match.
I thought it better to modify the Lionel 0-6-0T cab for use on this model because the styling is appropriate to this loco and
era, and more importantly the cab is substantially stronger than I can make, given the long overhang and narrow cab walls. It
is possible to pick up the loco by the stack and cab, something I thought important given Ryanne's arthritis.
As a final detail, the real wood load is cut from the storks of a Lavender bush, but sadly has no scent!
Stan Cedarleaf provided the specialized decals for this loco.
Here is a shot of her with Eureka, to give you an idea of the size of the lil loco, a good 1:20 scale she is.
