Torquay Manor 5 Gauge

Hello All

I started trying to build 3 1/2 gauge locomotives 20 years ago but without the required knowledge I had the bright idea of buying part built models, however I found that I just could not get on with them, it was in a conversation with the then editor of Model Engineering Mike Crisp that the problem was that I was buying models that I was not really interested in. In fact it was one of these conversations in which he asked me what Loco's interest me as if I was to build one of those I would stand a far better chance of finishing them, I happily said "I quite like Mallard, Flying Scotsman and Duchess Streamlined class" the phone went very quiet to which I put it down thinking I had been cut off. Mike duly called me back to apologise for the silence but he needed to think about my choices. Well other commitments came along and 20 years later the world of 3 1/2 gauge really for clubs turned into 5" and 7 1/4" gauge loco's. An offer of a Taunton Manor in 5" gauge came my way just recently and to be fair it is just the sort of model that appeals to me, it is part built but only the frames are put together with 5 of the 6 axle boxes and all of the side horns in place. All of the castings are there and the frame is square across the horn blocks as well as being to the drawings. Now to the question of building this model out, I would like to do a blow by blow account of the build going forward including errors but I will need a lot of advice and help, I also want this to serve as a starting point for beginners who purchase part built loco's. Can the members on here tell me if it is worth doing something like this documented build with photo's or is it of no interest and would it fail to get traction enough for me to get the right advice to complete this Locomotive? As always please be totally honest.

Kind Regards

Roy

The building of a Manor class was serialised in ME in 1972. Maybe building and commenting in conjunction with this to point out errors and problems would be an approach,

There seems to be a new generation of web users for whom the idea of actually reading paper versions or doing any research is an anathema when they can just ask dumb questions on a forum is no effort (for them). So a computer compatible version might be just what they need.