GWR 0-4-0ST 1151

I’ve opened the CSP/Agenoria box and made a start on 1151.

The real 1151 was well photographed and I now have prints showing the various details, which differentiate it from similar locos of the period in South Wales. I hope to progress the loco soon at the Missenden Abbey Summer School, where I will concentrate on the body before making firm decisions on the gearbox and compensation. This means putting the wheels to one side for the time being until I can be sure the chassis with gearbox and motor will fit easily inside the body.

Rolling Stock

Making a BR(ex-GWR) 16xx Class 0-6-0PT for my other layout, Kyle of Sutherland, brought the St Donats project back to mind, and got me thinking of rolling stock.

The 16xx pannier will need renumbering, perhaps to one of the many 87F Llanelly examples of the type that I saw in 1963. The Hawksworth tender at the back, or the alternative Collett tender in the Malcolm Mitchell box at the front, will eventually be paired with 5961 Toynbee Hall, another Llanelly engine. So far, the Hall consists of a footplate and cab modelled as described in Guy Williams’ scratchbuilding guide “The 4mm Engine” using measurements I made of 4920 Dumbleton Hall at Buckfastleigh. The box at the back contains a CSP/Agenoria kit for Peckett 0-4-0ST 1151, the last of its type in South Wales, which spent its final days shunting the Tremains yard near Bridgend. It’s just possible I saw the real loco when I went to Bridgend by train in September 1963. I would like to think so.

Then there’s a set of 247 Developments coach sides for a diagram G66 Special Saloon, which I’m looking forward to building. I measured, photographed and travelled in this coach on the South Devon Railway. I’ve also planned to make panniers 3753 of 88J Aberdare and 7413 of 84E Tyseley.