The Muir-Hill NC

[IanT]

If anyone wants a very simple G3 locomotive - then the Muir-Hill NC is about as basic as they came. The locomotive weighed in at just 6 tons and 5 cwt. It had a patented transmission with chain drive to both axles. I have a copy of "The Muir-Hill Album" by EL Briggs which shows this little engine shunting vans at WD & HO Wills (The cigarette people) in Bristol in 1927. The vans are bigger than the engine.

As stated elsewhere, I saw a 4mm design for this little loco in Modelling Railways Illustrated - May 1996 and thought it would be a very simple loco to build in G3. I redrew the templates to G3 and cut most of them out (in cardboard) to get an idea of what it looked like but didn't actually assemble them. It was going to be an article in the Newsletter, but I must have had enough material come in after all - and it all simply got put away.

The conversation about Type 1 locos (elsewhere) reminded me of the engine and I found the file again.

Today started out with a few simple household jobs to do, including investigating a small leak in the bathroom.  By 7.30 this evening, I've had the cistern completely off, have discovered several very old seals that need to be replaced, as well as a large donut shaped rubber ring that is completely perished. And that was about how I was too, completely perished (or at least very tired). I really didn't feel like doing too much at all with the rest of the evening and (as usual) there was little of interest on the TV. My eye fell on the Muir-Hill folder.....

A surprisingly enjoyable hour or so later, I have a 'cardboard' Muir-Hill on the table. I will admit to having done better work, but what do you expect in an hour and with just cardboard and sellotape? I will admit to being a little taken with it. The wheels are just 3-hole wagon wheels (Brandbright I think) and they don't look too out of place (you might need to cut the axles down!).

This ugly little duckling will never grow into a lovely swan, but if you want something very simple to run up and down (whilst you build something more elaborate?) then this might be the answer.  It would also make a good project for a junior modeller, as just about all the parts are square.

If anyone would like a scan of the original article (for their own use) then I will be happy to oblige.   

[IanT]

I've seen a posting (elsewhere) referencing the Muir Hill, stating that an article about a 7mm version of this little engine appeared in Railway Modeller in April 2001. I don't recall it - but has anyone got a copy and if so - it doesn't give a few accurate dimensions does it?

Regards,

IanT