No one has mentioned any of the N/G 3.5" engine designs that are available. Larger/Heavier engines – and some fairly straight forward. I sold my 'Russell' some time ago but still have the 'Conway' (fairly simple) and 'Lew' (not so simple) chassis down the Shed. However – I made the move down-gauge (by an inch) some years ago.

"The smaller gauges are seeing a revival; the locos are more manageable and the castings and materials cost less"…… This of course also applies to 2.5" gauge too – perhaps more so !

And just for JAS – modern image is starting to appear in G3 circles too – how about this one (it's not the engine you mentioned as being at MEX I'm afraid).

Regards, IanT

Edited By IanT on 11/03/2015 12:34:04

Neil has mention about the Bournemouth Rally on the 25th April. I started building (and still need to finish it!) a 5" gauge Dewinton. Its not a large loco but still a large lump, even for a young (just past 30) person. I picked up a part build slip eccentric Juliet (i have since sold her) finished her and run her for 2 years at the Littledown track and visting other clubs. She was simple but a fun engine to drive and taught me a lot.

To take her place i upgraded to a Canterbury Lamb, i don't think she is even half the size of Juliet! I really enjoy driving her, she keeps me on toes when steaming around the Bournemouth track. Next in line on the work bench is a 2 1/2" gauge Ayesha, the loco that showed it was possible to pull a adult and help shape the future of ME clubs.

I do enjoy driving the club Speedy when passenger hauling, but there is something about running a smaller loco even if it just you who is being pulled around. Also these day with the ever increasing costs of materials its value for money. Interestingly not a week goes by with out parts or a complete small loco is on ebay, there always seem to sell, are people finishing them?

Will

I just wonder how many "Tich", "Juliet" and "Rob Roy" engines are out there, totally un-used because the beginner that built them can't keep them in steam.

Yes, you should build an engine that you like or admire, but make sure it's of a reasonable size to be partially forgiving when being run by a tyro.

My "Rob Roy" has got 7 fire-tubes and when everything is clean, I can just keep it in steam, but after an afternoon's running, one or two tubes can get blocked, and then it's a losing battle.

My advice would be a tender engine or a large tank engine. For the latter, I have always thought Martin Evan's "William" might be a suitable first engine, as the extra length gives more reserves in the boiler.

Edited By Steve Papworth on 02/04/2015 17:50:26

hi steve,

might i suggest you use a better grade of coal and of the right size and sieve out first all the crap and small particles, and perhaps check whether the firebars can be lowered a bit? also firing in the correct manner should avoid the problems you have encountered, plus good draughting/improved draughting will pay dividends. the Rob Roy draughting isnt one of martin evan's best!

cheers,

julian

Northumbrian ? I bought a set of castings when the build was being serialised in ME but must confess haven't started building it as yet.

Well I have only just noticed this section so I thought I had better say hello! I am currently doing a Titfield Thunderbolt in 3.5" gauge mainly as a not too costly way of getting the experience of doing things. Also I have seen the full size Lion in steam many years ago which does add an interest in it. I also have a Britannia in 3.5" gauge which my Father started building many years ago – well errr – 1951 actually. I have now decided to take this on and get it finished. I also have an almost completed Tich in 3.5" gauge which to be perfectly honest has very little interest for me. Both myself and my Father had reached a full stop in setting up the valve gear (Walschaerts). It doesn't inspire me. If I have a go at something else it will almost certainly be 3.5" gauge. The reasons are really down to cost of castings and copper for boilers, size of the finished loco, in as much as I need somewhere to put it when its completed. And finally I am not getting any younger and I really do not wish to be hugging 5" gauge Atlantics and Pacifics around.

Thanks for starting this section, I will now keep my eye on it!

Malcolm

Not sure how may are following the other post regarding a society for 3 1/2 inch gauge, I have grabbed the bull by the horns as they say and made an attempt at starting such a society. I'm very much in the early stages of setting up a website and forum although it is under way, anyone wishing to help it would be appreciated. Also a sneak peak of the website can be found here, **LINK**. I'm very much an amature at doing these things.

Regards, Lee

Hi

Perhaps we at the 2.5 Gauge association could help with advise on setting up of your association. We also faced the demise of 2.5 back in the 1970s and a small group held a rally at Cheltenham to see what the response would be. From those early days we have gone on to form the association as it is to day we have rally's from May to September, our main one is at Rugby in the center of the country. Perhaps a joint rally of 2.5 and 3.5 as we share the same rail! what do you think?

Please feel free to visit our website http://www.n25ga.org.uk/

I hope it all comes together Please feel free to PM me if you want any help.

Regards

Simon Clough

Southern Sec N 2.5 Gauge Association

hi,

sounds good to me. I have a bantam cock and would like to meet up with other 3 1/2" owners.

Nice looking Loco, i have also built a Bantam Cock, happy to share experiences.

I am currently building an A4 Pacific and would like to share with other builders.

Terry ! The big handle makes it go. The little screw thingy on the left decides which way. The knob at the bottom of the glass tube is a gauge blow down. The one near the pressure gauge may be the blower. The square nut at the bottom should be the boiler blow down. Top left looks like a feed water control as I think is the bottom left.. Does this help ? Noel.