The National 2½" Gauge Association
Keeping the spirit of the past alive and looking to the future.

Boiler Plate and Wrapper Formers

The Association has a number of formers available for members to borrow :-

Back plate, front and back firebox plates, outer wrapper plate. Firebox plates, backhead and tube plate, inner and outer wrapper plate formers. Firebox backhead and tube plate. These plates are clearly stamped with the thickness of copper plate to be used. Backplate, throat plate width across base = 3.720", radius at top = 1.635". Base to boiler centre line = 2.625". Firebox door plate width across base = 3.625", height = 3.55" with 0.625" corner radii, tube plate former = 3.187". There are at least two other similar sets with slightly different dimensions.

These plates, with the exception of the ones for Rose must be carefully measured before use to ensure that their sizes are compatible with the thickness of the copper plate that is going to be used. It is always possible that the original maker just happened to have a sheet of 10 guage whereas LBSC may have specified 13 gauge. So, be warned but it seems a pity that so much effort has gone into these flanging plates and that they are no longer used. So, if you are going to do a bit of boiler making and need a flanging plate, do ask - the Association may have just what you are looking for !

Please email to arrange for the loan and return.

Trade Suppliers of Boilers, Flanged Plates and Kits

Reeves(2000) can supply ready-flanged plates for the following 2½" locomotives : Austere Ada, Black Five, Eagle, Elaine, Fayette, Green Arrow, Netta, Nigel Minor and Purley Grange.

Blackgates can supply boiler kits (which include all materials required) for Black Five, Eagle, Nigel Minor and Evening Star. (NB the plates are not flanged).

G.L.R. Distributors can supply boiler kits (and also ready made boilers - to order) for : Austere Ada, Dyak, Fayette, Olympiade, Purley Grange and Southern Maid.

Western Steam : Helen Verrall, Bridgewater, Somerset : 01 278 452 938

Other professional boiler makers include :

R.L Radbourne, Stratford Upon Avon : 01 789 293 525

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