Accurascale OO H4-AB16-001 NCB No.10 Andrew Barclay 2244 16in 0-4-0ST NCB Lined Black
A detailed and smooth running OO gauge model of the Andrew Barclay 16in cylinder 0-4-0 saddle tank industrial shunting engine. These larger engines were popular with collieries and the steel industry, the larger diameter cylinders delivering extra power.
The National Coal Board had a significant fleet of these shunting engines which were often painted very nicely when fresh from overhaul, though quickly got rather dirty! NCB Ayrshire Area No.10 is finished in lined black livery.
To increase the train-hauling power of steam locomotive the diameter of the cylinders is increased, providing a greater area of piston for the steam pressure to drive and giving greater force at the wheel rim. However larger cylinder meant more steam being used, demanding an increase in the boilers' capacity to generate steam and coal consumed. Many locomotives operated by smaller concerns required only a 12inch or 14inch cylinders for the work but larger engines were needed by heavy industries and collieries. The 16 inch cylinders were about the largest which could be used on a 4-coupled engine before the added forces exceeded the ability of the wheels to resist and pull without slipping and Andrew Barclays offered 0-6-0 locomotives to this same general styling. The shorter 0-4-0ST remained popular with collieries, with many being owned by the National Coal Board, especially in the Scottish coal field.
Works number 2244 was constructed in 1947 and spent most of it's working life at Dunaskin as NCB Ayrshire Area No.10, hauling coal trains between the pits and the British Rail exchange sidings until the last of the collieries closed in 1978. The site was operated as a heritage centre by the Dalmellington and District Conservation Trust until 2005, since when the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group have taken over the site, purchasing the former NCB locomotive shed and wagon repair shops in 2015. 2244 / NCB Ayrshire No.10 has received a replacement boiler and is a regular working engine at the site.