Original Tich

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

When LBSC started his construction series on Tich in ME 24th February 1949 he referred in it to the prototype designed/built by Leslie Clarke, who was then living in South Africa. Does anyone know what happened to the original loco or have any details as to it's current whereabouts?

[Simon CollierParticipant @simoncollier74340]

That’s interesting, I didn’t know that. Try asking on MECH. Forum where the loco people post these days. Julian Atkins might know or John Baguley.

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

Simon,

Thanks – that was going to be my next try.

R

[Fowlers FuryParticipant @fowlersfury]

Doesn't answer your specific question but there's some history of the origin of Curly's designs (plural !) here, which you're no doubt aware of:-
**LINK**

(Having built a Tich from Curly's book many years ago, I can endorse Leslie Clarke's criticisms!)

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

This is just a memory from reading something long ago, I think Leslie Clarke ended up in Australia, I seem to remember that he built a very well detailed GWR County class 4-4-0 to his own design that was featured either in M.E or L.L.A.S years ago, there was mention of his original Tich.

Dave

Edited By Dave Wootton on 21/03/2022 09:01:55

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

FF – thanks and yes indeed, I understand the problem with the axle driven pump from my own Tich, and seeing mention of LC's being driven off the leading axle set me thinking about a re-design, and was what prompted my initial post.

Dave W – thanks – I wasn't aware of LC having moved to Oz; I'll have a read through my LLAS collection.

R

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Robin

Could be wrong about the Australia bit – I have been before! All from memory and I can't check as I got rid of all my old magazines when i moved a few years ago, but I remember the County class clearly as a club member was well on with building Don Young's version .but couldn't definitely say if it was M.E or L.L.A.S.

Dave

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

Dave,

No worries – my memory is much the same, but your mention of LLAS triggered some sort of recollection so worth checking.

R

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

The original general arrangement in ME is signed Leslie Clarke and credited as such by LBSC.

In 1970 a picture of his original Tich appeared in Smoke Rings having won a certificate at the ME exhibition, but how this is the ‘original’ when he only provided the GA and LBSC the rest of the design, and LBSC built his own loco, I am not totally convinced about.

A few articles by Leslie Clarke appear in the ME Index and also an obituary in issue 3939 vol 170 from 1993 but unfortunately this is an edition not in my collection.

[Fowlers FuryParticipant @fowlersfury]

Obit took a bit of finding in ME 3939 v.170 !
It's a short item within "Club Chat" by Stan Bray based on information received from a George Feilan who presumably resided in Oz. Nothing is offered about the fate of his Tich though. Stan offered sympathy to Leslie's wife, son Terry & daughter Leonie. Perhaps some model engineer in Oz will post with more information.

I checked in Brian Hollingsworth's biography of Curly. There is a picture of "Mavis" the lady next door who nursed Curly during his final days. She is shown standing next to a Tich, possibly Curly's original build?

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

Nick and FF –

Thank you both; more food for thought. It would be interesting to see some photos of Leslie's Tich one day.

R

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

Les Clarke's 3.5"g GWR 4-4-0 'County' appeared in Don Young's LLAS magazine. Principally the 2 piece cylinder block. The completed loco was gifted to the GWS at Didcot where I recall seeing it on display.

I don't have any info on the whereabouts of Les Clarke's original Tich or the highly modified Tich built by LBSC complete with wagon.

Cheers,

Julian

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

Diolch Julian

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