ME Magazine issue number 2919-2920: The Children's Own Locomotive

Hi everyone,

I was given a box full of old Model Engineer Magazines from the 50's by my local model engineering club of which I am a member. As I was reading through a few of the books, I came across an article about a small 2 1/2" gauge locomotive with oscillating cylinders on a single driving wheel. The article is named, "The Children's Own Locomotive". The article is in two parts, spread over two magazines and specifies all the drawings and instructions needed to make the locomotive.

I was wondering if anybody out there has read this article or has built or seen one of these engines as I am thinking of having a go at building it.

Any information will be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Dan.

Congratulations!

You appear to have stumbled on one of LBSC's 'lost locomotives' - at least I have never seen it on any list.

Bearing in mind that some of his techniques or materials will be out of date, so you may need to proceed with some care, LBSC's designs were characterised by generally being successful. In this case you can expect the boiler, cylinders and general design all to be in good proportion, although it probably isn't what would be classed as a children's toy these days (Bah humbug!)

Go for it!

Neil

Thanks for the reply Neil. I haven't been able to find anything on this little locomotive anywhere on the internet and being a 'lost locomotive' I now understand why!

I have read through the lists of materials and his techniques and I have been able to make some personal modern developments to the drawings. I think I will undertake the build of the engine but I will scale it up to 3 1/2" gauge so I can try it out on my local track.

Thanks a lot,

Dan.

He also did "Myrtle" - a simple loco for "O" gauge - "Only hand tools are needed to make it". This was published 5 July 1956.

And then there was "A locomotive for beginners" - "suited to enthusiasts and novices of limited means" 8 August 1957.

I wonder how many were built?

Bob

Hi Dan,

the loco is called 'Pixie' and is mentioned in Brian Hollingsworth's book on LBSC. Never seen one in the flesh though.

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~n25ga/Locos/pixie.htm

John

Edited By John Baguley on 05/11/2013 00:04:42

Edited By John Baguley on 05/11/2013 00:07:12

Hi Dan,

If you do want to build this locomotive, I'd keep the design 'as is'.

This little engine will probably work very well as a Gauge '3' loco (although I've never seen one that I can recall). The G3 Society have GTGs at various members gardens through the 'running' year and I am very sure they would welcome you (by invite) to come along and run your locomotive. There is always a supply of wagon and carriage stock available to run behind visiting engines

My advice would therefore be to either build this engine for it's intended use (e.g. scenic running) or choose another of LBSC's (or Martin Evans) loco's that was designed for 3.5" use and will deliver a more satisfactory performance in the larger gauge.

Regards,

IanT

Hi everyone,

With regards to scaling up the drawings to 31/2" gauge, LBSC does mention that the loco can be scaled up to 31/2" gauge in his introduction to the article. He doesn't say anything about scaling down or scaling up to more than 31/2" gauge. I think I would be more suited to building and running a 31/2" gauge engine but as this is going to be my first loco build I'm not particularly fussed about the scale of the engine.

Just another note, LBSC says that the boiler fittings for the engine are ones that have been described in his previous articles. The drawings I have don't include any fittings however I spotted a drawing for a set of fittings (regulator, blower and water level test valve) in a later magazine for LBSC's 11/4" 'Netta' (issue number 2802, February 3rd, 1955). Does anyone know if the fittings described for 'Netta' are worthy of being scaled up and used for 'Pixie'?

Many thanks,

Dan.