Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Aspinal class 11 0-6-0 no. 1195

Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Aspinal class 11 0-6-0 no. 1195

A model built from scratch by a person unknown. Recently acquired, without prior viewing, from an on-line auction. It was described as just “very good build, requires painting etc.” and I must congratulate the auction house for an accurate description. From the image in the auction catalogue I was immediately impressed with the quality of workmanship. It has good quality cast iron wheels with insulated split axles which run in sprung hornblocks. The motor and gears (plastic!) unit, the like of which I have never seen before, is efficient and quiet and if it stays like that there will be no need to replace it. For my own personal taste I have made some additions and refinements, for instance replacement of the smokebox door, piano front cover, reversing lever, safety valves, the addition of lamp irons, whistle actuating lever and pull, tender brakes and toolboxes. To fill the gap between the frames and below the boiler I have added a representation of static valve gear. The model has now been painted by Warren Haywood in the fully lined L&YR livery of the early 1900’s that this well built model deserves. The original builder has probably passed away now, but if only he could see it I hope he will be impressed. A risky buy that I think has paid off nicely. The model is for sale, see the models for sale page of this website.

BR(MR) Princess Coronation class Pacific no. 46256 Sir William A. Stanier F.R.S.

BR(MR) Princess Coronation class Pacific no. 46256 Sir William A. Stanier F.R.S. Extremely well built and detailed, from the David Andrews kit by John Taylor of Halifax. AGH (Alan Harris) cast wheels (note the hollow axles as per the real thing) and an ABC motor and gear unit. A very impressive model which I recently found in auction and have been lucky enough to acquire for my collection. When purchased, this model was painted in a light blue colour. Now I know the real 46256 was in blue livery between 1951 and 1954, but after living with this model for a few weeks I decided that the quality and colour of the paintwork was not up to the quality of the build, so I stripped it for a repaint and a visit to Warren Haywoods paintshop, and you see the result here. The LMS style crimson lake livery was applied to the real loco in May 1958. The model is portrayed with electric lighting (see the generator on the right side of the smokebox) which was removed mid 1959.

BR(ex LMS) Fowler Patriot class no. 45515 Caernarvon

BR(ex LMS) Fowler Patriot class no. 45515 Caernarvon

BR(M) Patriot class 4-6-0 no. 45515 Caernarvon. Extremely well built and detailed, the loco from the David Andrews kit and the tender from the John Maidment “Just Magic” kit, built by John Taylor of Halifax. Cast metal wheels and an ABC motor and gear unit. A very impressive model which I recently found in auction and have been lucky enough to acquire for my collection. Very unusual to see a model with one of the Stanier 3500 gallon high straight sided tenders. Only ten of these tenders were built and were originally used with new Jubilees 5607 through to 5616. 45515 used one of these tenders whilst shedded at Edge Hill between 1957 and 1958. Totally authentic, so a very rare model indeed. After living with this model as 45550 for a few weeks I decided that the original paintwork was not up to the quality of the build, so I stripped it for a repaint and a change of identity. Also whilst back in the brass, the beading around the edges of the tender sides and back was removed as it was thought to be to be of a too heavy section and replaced with a similar but lighter section. This well built model has now been repainted by Warren Haywood and in my opinion it’s new coat of paint matches the impressive build. This model is for sale, if interested in buying see the models for sale page of this website.