BR(ScR) Thompson B1 class 4-6-0 no. 61407

BR(ScR) Thompson B1 class 4-6-0 no. 61407
BR(ScR) B1 class no. 61407

    1. BR(ScR) Thompson B1 class 4-6-0 no. 61407.

A quality build many years ago, from the excellent Piercy Models kit, with the very fine cast wheels that were made for these kits (or they could be by Alan Harris AGH. Either way top quality wheels) and a Portescap RG7 motor/gear unit. Power collection is by the American method, where the loco collects power through it’s cast iron wheels from one rail and the tender collects from the other, with a single wire running from the tender to the motor in the loco alongside the drawbar. I find this method the most trouble free of any method of collecting current. This lovely model had been originally painted in LNER lined black as number 1059 (an Ipswich loco) with curved strengthening pieces to the corners of the running plate that only Cowlairs works carried out on Scottish locos later in their lives. Now I always try to ensure that my models are as far as possible historically correct in detail. I am 100% sure that no Ipswich loco would ever have had this modification, especially in LNER days. So the model has had to receive a new livery and identity. It has been stripped of it’s original paint and has been expertly repainted in this totally authentic new guise by John Cockcroft. Not only does she now look the part, but she also performs very well, even on the tight 5′-5″ radius curves of my test track.

61407 was a Dunfirmline and Thornton Junction loco whilst in this livery and I have a lovely photo of it at Dunfirmline loco shed, which I used to authenticate the looks of the model.
This model is for sale, if interested please see the “Models for sale” section of this website.

LNER (ex GNR) C12 class 4-4-2T no. 7367

LNER no. 7367
LNER (ex GNR) C12 class 4-4-2T no. 7367. A top quality model, believed to have been built from the Meteor models kit with many additional details. Built to scale 7 standards, with sprung hornblocks, fully working inside motion, Alan Harris (AGH) wheels and powered by an ABC motor and gears unit. Expertly painted and weathered by Colin Dowling (eastsidepilot.com) in the late 1940’s plain black livery. It was built on commission for the late Michael Brooks (the originator of Masterpiece Models) for use on his famous Monks Eleigh scale 7 layout. This model is for sale, if interested please see it in the models for sale section of this website.

London Brighton & South Coast Railway K class 2-6-0 no. 337

London Brighton & South Coast Railway K class 2-6-0 no. 337
LBSC 337
London Brighton & South Coast Railway K class 2-6-0 no. 337. An elderly model of a rare to see prototype which has now been restored into a rarely modelled livery. Originally well built from the Ace etched brass kit by J. Dinnage, this was acquired from auction and has been stripped down, the loco rebuilt with Slaters wheels and an ABC motor and gear unit. Now repainted in the very attractive Marsh umber livery by John Cockcroft. Designed in 1913 by Mr. Billinton, these attractive locos were painted in the LBSC plain black goods livery, until in 1923, probably to use up old paint stocks, number 337 and two others of the class were outshopped in this passenger umber, a livery singularly suited to the class.

BR(E) (ex LNER) D16/3 class 4-4-0 no. 62614.

BR(E) (ex LNER) D16/3 class 4-4-0 no. 62614.
62614
BR(E) (ex LNER) D16/3 class 4-4-0 no. 62614. This model was built from scratch by Laurie Griffin, with many of the parts being cut out on a pantograph mill. Fully working inside motion, Alan Harris wheels and powered by an ABC motor and gears unit, picking up current via the American method. Martin Welch takes the credit for the painting, lining and weathering. It was built on commission for Michael Brooks (the originator of Masterpiece Models) for use on his famous Monks Eleigh scale 7 layout. The model has now been converted to finescale wheel standards.

BR rebuilt West Country 4-6-2 no. 34010 Sidmouth

BR rebuilt West Country 4-6-2  no. 34010 Sidmouth
34010 Sidmouth
BR rebuilt West Country 4-6-2 no. 34010 Sidmouth. This model has been built from the excellent David Andrews kit by Richard Pogson, with an ABC motor and gearbox and Slaters wheels. Expertly painted and lightly weathered by Richard himself. It was taken as part payment for the two SECR O1 class models. Richard is a good friend of mine who helps me a lot, generally with modelling problems that I feel are beyond my capabilities (a very useful bloke to know). When Sidmouth was offered to me with Richards provenance, I had no hesitation.

South Eastern & Chatham Railway D class 4-4-0 no.729

South Eastern & Chatham Railway D class 4-4-0 no.729
SECR D class 4-4-0 no.729
South Eastern & Chatham Railway Wainwright D class 4-4-0 no.729. This fabulous model of a fabulous prototype is by the Lee Marsh Model Co. and was constructed with fully working inside motion in South Korea, with DC/DCC control and sound. The build quality and paint finish (cellulose) is second to none and the model, although second hand, is still in mint condition. Thank you ebay.

Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Aspinal 7′-3″ 4-4-0 no. 1224 (Flyer)

L&YR Aspinal 7′-3″ 4-4-0 no. 1224 (nicknamed a “Flyer”). Expertly built from scratch by Peter Priestley, with fully working inside motion and Joy valve gear. Beautifully painted some years ago in the L&Y fully lined black livery, which is still in remarkably good condition, proving that this model has been well looked after throughout it’s life. Fitted with a powerful motor and gears, this 4-4-0 is a good performing example of a wheel arrangement that is notoriously difficult to get good adhesion to the track.

LNWR A class 0-8-0 compound no. 2545

LNWR A class 0-8-0 compound no. 2545
LNWR A class 0-8-0 compound no. 2545. Built from scratch in 2006 by Bill Davis, (a good friend of mine for many years). I’m now very happy to own such an unusual example of his fabulous craftsmanship. He has built this model of a 3 cylinder compound prototype with a working representation of the inside low pressure cylinder. It took him 192.5 hours to build and it cost the client £2,200. The Alan Harris (AGH) wheels and crank axle alone cost £609.75. Fitted with an ABC Mini S /Maxon motor and gear unit, collecting power by the American system. Most castings are from the Hobby Horse range. Expertly painted by John Cockcroft.

L&YR Aspinal 6′-0″ 4-4-0 (Peacock) no. 978

L&YR Aspinal 6′-0″ 4-4-0 (Peacock) no. 978
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Barton Wright/Aspinal 6′-0″ 4-4-0 (nicknamed a “Peacock”). Beautifully built from scratch and painted by Gordon Heywood in 1963, provenance painted on the underside of the running plate. I didn’t realise that build quality like this was achievable in the sixties, other than by the famous names of Stanley Beeson and Bernard Miller. The crests, all lettering and lining have been painted by hand and the quality of the etched cabside number plates and the “Beyer Peacock & Co.Ltd. Manchester 1883” builders plates, shaped around the opening of the leading coupling rod splasher, is superb. The livery is still in very good condition for such an early model and the detail inside the cab is also superb. The wheels have been expertly machined from good quality cast iron blanks and I believe the motor and gears are home made.