As it was a nice sunny, warm day here at the Norfolk coast I thought I'd do some trials with my latest project. It's nowhere near finished yet and much of it has yet to be fixed to the other components so there was a certain amount of 'falling apart' during the short runs. The loco has no known full-size origin - all I wanted was something different and unusually substantial to pull a decent length train despite the fact I don't have a huge amount of track laid. It will be obvious from the photos the basis is two Bachmann Baldwin Big Haulers (in fact I've used parts from three). I had a couple of ropey examples in the garage, plus a battery one which donated several parts. I doubt there will be any super-detailing undertaken (my days of painting fruit on 'N' gauge market stalls have long gone) as my eyesight is not what it used to be, but I will be more than happy with 'an impression'. The finished product will have two standard Bachmann sound systems - fed from each of the powered chassis' with the intention of generating an unbalanced 'chuff'. Power pick-up will be via all 12 driving wheels and linked by wires under the boiler unit. In one of the photos you should be able to see the firebox/grate assembly has been slid forward exposing two telephone sockets which, compliments of Poundland are central to being able to plug both power units together. Lighting will be by LED with white headlamps being reverse polarity joined to red tail lamps for automatic reversal. The stretched superstructure has acquired a quite pleasing 'built in Great Britain' look about it from the wealth of plasticard and assorted bits and pieces from the junk box. I hope to add more info and photos when time and progress permits. Unfortunately(???) I still have a job so spare time is at a premium. I don't appear to have been a member long enough to attach my photos here so you'll have to view them in the My Garden Railway section of the Photo Galleries under the label HVR (it's on page two)
