Added August 2016
Manning Wardle ‘Titan’
Neilson 12” ‘Orion’
Black Hawthorn ‘Ajax’
Hawthorn-Leslie ‘Leviathan’
With the Manning Wardle ‘Titan’ not performing particularly well (before its complete rebuild) I decided that another industrial loco was needed. High Level Models produce an excellent range of kits suited for the purpose, such as this superb model of a Neilson 12” saddle tank produced from 1874 onwards. Engines of this type were still working in the 1960’s.
These kits are not simple to build, but the excellent instructions and drawings, together with top quality design and production, make a good end-result very achievable.
The design of the chassis makes the use of split axles all but impossible, so I have reverted wiper pickups for this engine. The compensation has a fixed rear driven axle, and a simple centre bearing for the leading axle. The Mashima motor and 108:1 gearbox provide very smooth running.
On the left are the various components before final assembly, the main body, chassis, boiler lower half, valve gear, and motor/gearbox. On the right is the body, ready for painting.
Here are a couple of photos of the engine on Plumpton Green, shunting a wagon from the nearby brickworks.
Manning Wardle ‘Titan’
Neilson 12” ‘Orion’
Black Hawthorn ‘Ajax’
Hawthorn-
With the Manning Wardle ‘Titan’ not performing particularly well (before its complete rebuild) I decided that another industrial loco was needed. High Level Models produce an excellent range of kits suited for the purpose, such as this superb model of a Neilson 12” saddle tank produced from 1874 onwards. Engines of this type were still working in the 1960’s.
These kits are not simple to build, but the excellent instructions and drawings, together with top quality design and production, make a good end-
The design of the chassis makes the use of split axles all but impossible, so I have reverted wiper pickups for this engine. The compensation has a fixed rear driven axle, and a simple centre bearing for the leading axle. The Mashima motor and 108:1 gearbox provide very smooth running.
On the left are the various components before final assembly, the main body, chassis, boiler lower half, valve gear, and motor/gearbox. On the right is the body, ready for painting.
Here are a couple of photos of the engine on Plumpton Green, shunting a wagon from the nearby brickworks.
