FEATURES
> Full 12V dc operation motorised kit - a very quiet & smooth runner
> Complete kit with motor, reduction mechanism and couplings
> Scale model - highly detailed - click on the photos for close-ups.
> Etched nickel-silver chassis, etched brass body parts.
> Cast exhaust, radiator, couplers & WW1 driver figure.
> Couplings at standard 009 height
> Precision finescale (RP25) wheelsets
> Overall dimensions 19.3mm (W) x 35mm (L) x 20mm (H)
> Whitemetal driver included
009 / HOe / HOn30
20HP WD Simplex or Bow framed Simplex
Actual Size Outline See instructions pdf for full outline drawings
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* SIZE WARNING! THIS LOCO IS SERIOUSLY SMALL!
The line drawing below is close to actual size (dependings on screen)
The kit builds into a highly detailed scale model of a 20HP War Department Light Railway
petrol tractor. Many hundreds of these locos were used in Northern France during the
First World War to transport goods to and from the area two within 2 miles of and behind
the allied trenches.
The prototype's open frame construction presented a particularly difficult challenge in
4mm scale however the mechanism has been designed so that it does not detract from
the appearance of the loco in any way. The model loco is constructed in two parts, a
chassis and body although in this case because of its open construction, body is perhaps
an exaggeration.
The chassis is formed of two nickel/silver frames connected by precision turned threaded
spacers which allow the chassis to be dismantled without the need for un-soldering. This
reduces the risk of assembling the kit substantially as you know that if you get it wrong at
least you can take it apart and try again! The drive system consists of a two stage friction
reduction drive followed by a single stage belt drive reduction with one belt to each wheel
set mimicking the chain drive of the original. The drive utilises eight precision custom
turned components in addition to the custom made outside journal wheel sets. A further
four miniature custom turned bushes provide bearings for the wheel sets.
The body is formed mainly from etched brass components with castings for the main part
of the radiator, the exhaust and couplings. A whitemetal driver in WW1 British uniform is
also included with the kit. There are various sacrificial tabs and a large sacrificial
strengthening section included in the design as an aid to construction and to protect the
shape of the apparently fragile frame during assembly. In fact once assembled the body
is very robust partly I believe because of the 'bowed' shape. Many detail overlays are
added to the basic frame to reproduce rivet detail and representations of the visible parts
of the engine and gearbox. The radiator comes complete with fan and fan belt pulley, I am
still looking for a way to make the fan rotate!
The instructions include photographs at each stage of the build and run to 8 pages of A4.
They can be viewed here in full colour as a PDF file.
There are various spare parts included on the frets and further spares are available from
me if you 'ping' anything, initially for postage costs only. I am available by email to answer
any questions and deal with any problems you may experience with the kit. Ultimately if
you have problems getting your chassis to run I will 'get you going' for a further charge.
There is some additional material about this kit on my upcoming products page.
Please see my ONLINE SHOP for details of pricing & postage & packing