LNER J11 Pom Pom

[Coboman]

Many years ago I remember someone telling me about a UK built loco in Pakistan that was basically a copy of a Robinson J11 Pom Pom, and that there was a scheme to repatriate it and restore it as a J11. I've never heard anything about it since, and I'm wondering if he was making it up or not? And if he wasn't what happened to it?
Cheers
Jim

[Atlantic 3279]

There certainly was a Robinson-esque 0-6-0 design for the Indian sub-continent, and if I remember to go back through my Great Central Railway Society journals I might find more about it. I recall a picture, which will no doubt be subject to copyright. I imagine it was built to a Beyer-Peacock design, which would help to add fuel to the fire of any rumours of some input from nearby Gorton works practices (especially with certain people on the boards of both firms I gather). I seem to remember a squarer looking cab than the true Robinson type, maybe with sliding shutters, and differnt fittings such as dome, chimney etc. I cannot say whether the boiler and the machinery were truly close to J11 specification. Surely the matter of gauge would be a problem for a "conversion restoration" however, with wheelsets and possibly frames too set up for Indian broad gauge?

[52D]

I think it was on the Pak-Afghan Border, The companies name could have been North West Frontier Railway or similar try wiki.

[Coboman]

I expected it to be of Beyer Peacock origin, with Mr Robinson having some influence there, plus IIRC they built some of the GCRs pom poms. I am sure it was Pakistan, not India, but I have to hold my hand up and say I have no idea what the guage is of railways in Pakistan! I tried google and wiki searches, including that railway name, but have sofar have found nothing, not the slightest hint.
Jim

[Atlantic 3279]

I'll see if I can remember to look out the details then. My reference to India, although deliberate, did not exclude Pakistan, as these locomotives would have been shipped to the British Empire territory of India long before any part of it was made separate as Pakistan.

[Coboman]

I'll see if I can remember to look out the details then. My reference to India, although deliberate, did not exclude Pakistan, as these locomotives would have been shipped to the British Empire territory of India long before any part of it was made separate as Pakistan.

Oh yes! I forgot that it was treated as one country when in "Empire" hands! I take it that Pakistan is/was broad gauge too then? This might be why the loco was never repatriated as it would require serious work to convert to standard gauge?

[52D]

I believe the Empire Gauge was 5' 3"

[Atlantic 3279]

Coboman: If you send me a PM with your e-mail address I can send you an image tomorrow of the kind of Indian "standard" 0-6-0 design that you are probably talking about, plus one or two other designs for India. Some of these were produced to designs created by a committee of British engineers, including Robinson, for the Empire's perceived railway requirements in India. In addition to his position on this committee, his post as GCR CME, his major interest in the Superheater Company, and possibly dealings in South american Railways too, Robinson was also a director of Beyer-Peacock. Sam Fay similarly had a finger in many different but related pies. Where they would have stood these days when "interests" are expected to be declared I do not know. Can you imagine the raised eyebrows today if a major company, ordered expensive hardware from a firm on whose board one of its own officers served, incorporating parts sold by his own separate company
If you want to read more details buy the book "J.G Robinson, a Lifetime's Work".

[Colombo]

I think that you are referring to the SGS Class:

http://www.railwayherald.org/imaging.ce ... age=151218

It certainly looks like a J11 in disguise.

Colombo

[Coboman]

I think that you are referring to the SGS Class:

http://www.railwayherald.org/imaging.ce ... age=151218

It certainly looks like a J11 in disguise.

Colombo

I'm I'm not so sure. Comparing it with a pom pom picture there seems to be some big differences, like the wheel base, the smokebox saddle, but the boiler looks the same, and I suppose thats the most expensive single part. Do any of these still exist in the middle east? or has the high value of scrap done its evil deed?
Cheers
Jim

[Coboman]

Can you imagine the raised eyebrows today if a major company, ordered expensive hardware from a firm on whose board one of its own officers served, incorporating parts sold by his own separate company
If you want to read more details buy the book "J.G Robinson, a Lifetime's Work".

It's just kept well under cover nowerdays