GWR Dean Single Achilles 3031 Class "Lord of the Isles" 3846, Hornby DCC Heavily Modified

The Dean 3031 Class, known also as the "Achilles Class" (an interesting name connection if you consider this prototype had only one set of driving wheels, and if you know your Greek mythology...) were very elegant machines indeed. Sadly, the only commercially produced models of this locomotive are still made with molds and tooling from decades ago, and were never really intended as highly detailed representations.
After receiving this locomotive several years ago, I set out to do some initial improvements. I was never completely satisfied with the work I did, and didn't run it as much as it deserved. However, I set to work again on this model a few months ago, and have completed what I (humbly) consider an extensive and highly involved workover addressing not only cosmetic issues, but performance and stability issues as well. My work has included:
Fabricating a swiveling footplate extension to bridge the outrageous gap between the locomotive cab and tender
Adding a substantial amount of underframe above the front pony trucks to fill the outrageous gap between the chassis and the pony truck, which not only looks better in profile but keeps the long and previously unsupported front of the locomotive from "hunting" and swinging out unrealistically around curves
Detailing the buffer beams with vacuum hoses and scale screw-link couplings
Minor additional separately added detailing parts
Real coal in the tender, including forming a more realistic coal shape
Extensive paint detailing, including especially repainting the blindingly shiny and fake looking "brass effect" plastic dome provided by Hornby, which stuck out like a sore thumb on this model
The locomotive is fitted with a DCC decoder, and operates very smoothly. Even upon the grades at the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club, the locomotive handled 6 clerestory coaches with only minor slow downs and slipping (remember, only the large center driving wheels are powered on this model, and there is no magnehesion or traction tires, etc to improve grip). My additions and modifications to the underframe also still allowed enough flexibility that the locomotive never got stranded on uneven track or grade transitions, which was a concern.
All in all, I am very happy with this project, which is one of the more extensively modified and re-detailed in my collection.

[@barrythurgood4147]

Splendid, good work. I have one purchased new in the early 1970’s, pre the sophisticated controllers we nowadays. It had the standard Triang/Hornby gearing and slow speed running was just too fast. I replaced the gear set with 60:1 Romford gear set - better. I am now working on an N gauge version, and a 5” gauge live steam coal fired version ( quite a few years from completion ). There is also a 4-4-0 version, called Armstrong, I have seen one in 00 gauge and the drawings I have for the Dean Single also show the Armstrong. In my view simply the handsomest locomotive ever built.

[@marshall8289]

Georgeous model, your workmanship is both inspirational and a credit to you. The model looks great running on American metals and fascinating to watch in this unusual environment. I have been hoping manufacturers will make an up to date version of this loco but now I can see that might not be neccessary. Thanks for such an enjoyable video.

[@treblebass6721]

Hi. Hoping you get to read this comment posted several years after your video! I'm interested to know what you did, in a bit more detail, to the frames to reduce the gap above the front pony truck? I note that the original locomotive had front wheel which were 6" smaller in diameter than the trailing wheels. The ones on the model seem far smaller and out of scale with the rear. I wonder if it would be feasible to replace the front wheels with ones of the correct size. Also, that cut-out in the frames at the front is annoying. I know it's there to stop the wheels fouling the frames and allow running on tight curves but would be keen to see what happens if it's temporarily filled and what minimum radius curves the loco would run on. Thanks in anticipation. PS. Your improvements look great!

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Beautiful work on this loco! I've recently been very tempted to detail one of these, as well as try to improve its running.