Month: August 2026

LNWR Whale Precursor Tank 4-4-2T no. 1219.

Mick Bayliss Locos now sold
LNWR Whale Precursor Tank 4-4-2T no. 1219.
LNWR Whale Precursor Tank 4-4-2T no. 1219. This model has been very well built from the Gladiator kit. Originally painted in LMS plain black and purchased from Ebay. It ran quite well, with Slaters wheels and plunger pickups, but how much better it would be in fully lined LNWR black and to have a better motor and gear unit. So that’s exactly what I have done. Stripped the original paint and fitted a new Slaters GB30R-3M. I collected it from Warren Haywood last week and hasn’t he made a grand job of the repaint?

BR(E) Gresley A4 class 4-6-2 no. 60033 Seagull

Mick Bayliss Locos now sold
BR(E) Gresley A4 class 4-6-2 no. 60033 Seagull
BR(E) Gresley A4 class 4-6-2 no. 60033 Seagull

This is I believe, a pre-production sample of a Loveless A4. No opening smokebox door (in my opinion a gimmick which required over-scale hinges, so no loss there) and no DCC. It still has its original inner and outer cardboard boxes. But when taken in part exchange it had damage and missing parts. Fortunately the baked-on cellulose paint is still in good condition. Damage consisted of the tender being dropped to bend a couple of rear steps (easily reshaped) and damage to the corridor connection (well repaired now, but not so easily). The join between the green streamlined casing and the black running plate over the driving wheels had broken on one side (now repaired with epoxy resin, clamped together for 24 hours and any excess glue on the top face cleaned away). Missing parts were a couple of cab handrails (easily replaced) and a tender brake pull rod. I have also added cylinder blow down pipework and the cab window cinder guards. On the track she runs just like any other Loveless A4…..superbly.

A risky acquisition that has paid off handsomely. Isn’t see a beauty? A good friend, who already owns two other bird A4’s had no hesitation in making an offer (a Klondyke that will be gracing these pages soon) that I couldn’t refuse.

GWR Churchward Saint class 4-6-0 no. 2912 Saint Ambrose

Mick Bayliss Locos now sold
GWR Churchward Saint class 4-6-0 no. 2912 Saint Ambrose

GWR Churchward Saint class 4-6-0 no. 2912 Saint Ambrose. Extremely well built from scratch by Philip Preston (of Guilplates fame), his builders nameplate is affixed to the underside of the model as provenance. With fully working inside valve gear, Alan Harris cast and turned wheels and a robust single stage motor and gear unit which collects current using the tender by the American method (my preference), Saint Ambrose runs smoothly and hauls very powerfully indeed. No provenance as to who should take credit for the lovely paintwork, but my guess is that it is Philip’s work. A very capable modeller who should be credited with helping us all immensely.

LSWR Drummond T9 class Greyhound 4-4-0 no. 117

Mick Bayliss Locos now sold

LSWR Drummond T9 class 4-4-0 no. 117. Built from the superb Martin Finney kit by Chris Wesson and the superb finish of the painting is by Chris also. Alan Harris wheels, an RG7 Portescap motor and gear unit. Fully working inside motion. A truly superb model in every respect of this lovely prototype. This model has the Drummond water cart 8 wheeled tender attached. Comparison could be made to my model of Greyhound no. 113 LSWR Drummond T9 class Greyhound no. 113 that has a six wheeled tender.