I Really Need To Stop Procrastinating On What I'm Actually Supposed To Be Doing - Tumblr Posts

I complain about insignificant gripes

I am very particular about alternative classes for Edward. Personally, I think the K2 is fine, but I do understand why other people like to find an alternative basis. However, I made up a list of criteria which I believe an Edward basis needs to fulfill to look right.

Flat Running Board

This is undoubtedly my biggest issue with D16 Edward. Edward has always consistently had a flat running board in the RWS and TVS. The D16 does not. Neither does the D49, which is one of the reasons Hornby Edward looks so bad. But everyone already knows that. This is also one of the issues with Awdry's model of Edward.

There is a variant of the D16 with a flat running board, but that has a Belpaire firebox. Which brings us neatly on to my next criterion.

2. Round Top Firebox

This is the other 'big' requirement for an Edward basis. Edward has always had a round top firebox, so again, if the basis has a Belpaire firebox, it just looks off. This is the main issue with Awdry's model of Edward.

3. Size

Edward is a small engine. This has always been consistent. My other issue with the D16 is that for a 4-4-0, it's quite tall. This point isn't as important, and most alternative basis's I've seen for Edward have been small anyway.

And those are my three main criteria for an Edward basis. A NER style cab would be preferable obviously, but since the K2's didn't have that and it was fine for Awdry, it's not really essential.

Side note: I only recently realised why D49 looks so off. Look at the funnel on a regular D49. Then at Edward's funnel. See the difference?

The issue is that his funnel is suddenly much higher than cab, which just looks wrong.

Anyway, I've rambled long enough. Time to end this post.