A prototype question, but some of our FR/WHR experts may know the answer:
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As built all the NGG16 Garratts had exhaust steam pipes running along the boiler unit frames on both sides of the loco. Pictures of no. 143 in commercial service in 1986 South Africa show the pipe on the left-hand side, but when first running on the WHR (in her original black livery) this LH pipe was missing; the only exhaust steam pipe was on the right hand side. No. 138 also may have had a similar single pipe layout at the time.
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The lack of the LH pipe didn’t seem to affect the loco’s performance; I had a trip behind 143 in this condition in 2007, and she had no problems climbing out of Dinas with a lengthy train. However, following overhaul in 2010-11 no. 143 appeared not only in green livery, but with the standard pipes-on-both-sides layout as well.
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Does anyone know the thinking behind these changes, and were any other NGG16s so affected?
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Thanks
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Allan
(PS and yes, I know the Backwoods kit is for a NGG16 with rivetted tanks, and 143 has welded ones…literal rivet counting!)
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Allan Dare