Millholme Stirling Single

[Hatfield Shed]

...I ordered the Rapido model with the interim tender, but they decided not to make it ...

It was the customers that effectively made that decision, very few orders for the 'preservation' tender. (It might have been better to have offered a 'two tender' version in order to get sufficient volume for the interim tender: I would have taken that option, but given the choice of one or other, the big tender it had to be.)

[drmditch]

Please excuse a possibly unrelated question.

When building a 4-2-2, how do arrange the springing and weight distribution?

Actually I'm considering a 2-2-4, but it will spend a lot of time running in reverse!

[Hatfield Shed]

...Actually I'm considering a 2-2-4, but it will spend a lot of time running in reverse!

Aerolite?

...When building a 4-2-2, how to arrange the springing and weight distribution?...

This is a question that cannot be considered independently of the drive layout.

If I wanted such a loco, my inclination would be to build it on the pattern of a centre motor driving the front bogie and trailing wheelset (with gear ratios for the best match of tyre speed) rigid chassis over those six wheels, with the unpowered driving wheel 'floating'. (The rigid wheelbase is about the same length as a 9F, so should be able to go around R2 if required.) No significant balance issue as it would functionally be an 0-6-0.

[john coffin]

Considering the lack of movement available for the front bogie, the old fashioned way still seems best

Make it as an 0-6-2. Bogie and drivers connected and the rear trailer running free. Maybe even drive
from the trailing wheel. Lots of weight in the boiler then.

Paul

[Atlantic 3279]

If considering multiple driven axles coupled by gears of suitable ratios, maybe have a look first at what gears you have, or can get, at what cost, and where you can actually put them inside the model. That may determine the matter of which axles can be driven...