AD 60 Beyer-Garratt   type 4-8-4 + 4-8-4

Aster Japan has announced a small production re-run of the Australian AD 60 Beyer Garratt locomotive for release in spring 2009. The original production run of 120 units was introduced in 1994. Due to strong requests for this unique locomotive a re-run of 70 units is now in production. This version, like the first series can be coal and alcohol fired. Please read the specification sheet below for technical details. 

As of June 12th 2008 Aster Japan reports availability of a few extra Garratt kits. Two versions will be available. Locomotive # 6020 pinstriped as shown above, and locomotive # 6040 black only. Now is your last chance if you desired one of these lovely locomotives. (spring 2009 delivery) 

All reservations for the AD 60 Garratt are filled as of June 26th 2008. The entire production of 70 units for world wide distribution is now sold out. Thank you for your commitment. (spring 2009 delivery)

Short History:

The Garratt type locomotive was developed and patented by Englishman William Garratt in 1907. The concept of 2 identical chassis, one positioned forward and one reversed, with a large boiler slung between them, resulted in excellent stability, riding characteristics and pulling power especially on uneven track. W.Garratt discussed his idea with Beyer-Peacock and Co. a famous locomotive manufacturer located in Groton near Manchester, England. The concept proved very successful and countless railroads all over the world subsequently purchased these unique locomotives. Most Beyer-Garratt's as the became known, where built for narrow gauge railways. In 1952 however the largest of them, the AD 60's  where built for the Australian New South Wales Railways which operated on standard gauge. These behemoths weighed in at 262 tons, had a tractive effort of 63600 lbs. and represented the ultimate evolution of the Garratt concept.

Picture below shows the live size AD 60 Garratt  when in service with the New South Wales Railways.

Pictured below: the Aster gauge one version of the Beyer AD60 Garratt under steam.

Specifications for the Beyer Garratt AD 60

Gauge

Wheel Arrangement

1/32 Gauge One (45mm)

4-8-4 + 4-8-4

Total Length

Width

Height

Weight

1,044 mm

98 mm

136 mm

10.83 kg

( Front Engine 3.04kg + Boiler 4.3 kg + Rear Engine 3.49 kg)

Cylinders

Driving Wheel

Pilot / Trailing Truck Wheel

Valve Gear

Lubricator

Axle Driven Pump

4 Cylinders Bore 12 mm × Stroke 20 mm

φ43.0 mm

φ29.0 mm / Φ 29.0 mm

Walschaert type 

2 Roscoe Displacement Type Lubricators

2 Pumps Bore 5 mm × Ram Stroke 6 mm

Boiler

 

Boiler Capacity

Normal Working Pressure

Burner

Fire Grate Area

Locomotive type boiler with Super Heater,

(10 × φ9 mm tubes, 1 × φ18mm tubes)

320ccat 80% full

4 kg/ cm²

Convertible type Coal or Alcohol Firing

43.8 cm²

Tender Water Tank Capacity

 

Tender Alcohol Tank Capacity

Tender Hand Water Pump

350cc in Front Tender 250cc in Rear Tender

(A Hand Pump is mounted in the front tender)

260cc 

Boreφ11 mm × Stroke 12 mm

Operating Devices

Regulator Valve, Blower Valve, Reverser Handle, By-pass Valve, Whistle Valve, Water Level Gauge, Pressure Gauge, 3 × Safety Valves, Blow Down Valve

Fuel

Minimum Turning Radius

Coal or Alcohol

2 m