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GEA with 4-8-2 & 2-8-4 Wheel Arrangement
William models N scale and writes:
“I recently viewed a 1990 Steam Festival that took place on the South African Railway. I feel in love with the class GEA & GEAM with 4-8-2 & 2-8-4 wheel arrangement. Any suggestions where I may be able to find and purchase an N scale operating model of this locomotive. Thanks for your suggestions.”
2 Responses to GEA with 4-8-2 & 2-8-4 Wheel Arrangement
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The South African GEA and GMA share the same wheel arrangement but are quite different. The GEA, although introduced in 1947, is hand fired!
All were designed to run on light rail.
The GMAM is simply the GMA with increased coal and water capacity. The suffix M indicates that it is for mainline use, on heavier rails. Converting a loco from one class to the other was, I believe, simply a matter of inserting or removing steel plates to reduce or increase the fuel capacity.
Some years ago, I knew a fellow here in Cape Town, who built HO models to order. If you ask, I shall try to trace him.
Another thought: GM, GMA, and GMAM all had very limited water capacity so they usually operated with an auxiliary water tender.