Model Engineering page.
Although I have been interested in steam locomotives since I was a youngster, it was only about 40 years ago that the thought of building my own locomotives was influenced by a friend.
I started with a small horizontal mill engine model. This is a Stuart S50 Mill engine, it took a few months to build from a kit of un-machined parts and it only requires ones own breath to send it spinning.
Then the thought of building a proper locomotive was discussed. The acquisition of a box of castings, frame steel and drawing which came available at the right price, this brought forth my 3 1/2" gauge loco.
This loco and tender is a Derby '4F' design, many were to be seen on the local tracks hauling both passenger and freight ( coal ) trains. It took me about 5 years to get the loco steaming and another 2 years to get round to painting it. Not in the black livery of LMS/BR days but in Crimson Lake, the colour of the old Midland Railway which owned the local tracks in the pre-grouping days.
Steaming my loco at the Chesterfield & District Model Engineers Track
I have kits for a couple of other small stationary engines to build, when I have some free time !!
