The G3 layout of Mr C. Courtice 1930s-1950s

[garyradio]

Hi,

Im a new member here. I own some G3 locos and rolling stock from the layout of C. Courtice. Quite a prlofic enginner with plenty about him in Model Engineer. He as a good friend of Victor Harrison, he himself famous in Gauge 1 circles. As well as locos, i also own his G3 Steam Control Van - as feaured in Model Engineer July 1944.

Does anybody here have any more details, photos or info on C. Courtice? particularily photos of hislocos/layour or indeed any more info in the G3 Courtice steam control van???

Thanks in advance. GARY

[MikeWilliams]

Courtice is not a common name.  Do you have any other information at all, like perhaps where in the country he may have been?  A few of us on here regularly look through the British Newspaper Archive and the Ancestry Census records etc but without a little bit more its hard to know if we hit the right person.
The most likely look to be Bertram C Courtice or John C Courtice, but there is no way of knowing which!

Mike

[garyradio]

Hi, Thanks for responding. The only data i have at present is that he was a Mr. C Courtice. A friend of Victor Harrison and was a part of the greats from that era, including Bassett Lowke. I had hoped he would be well known in G3 circles but it looks like i may have to dig deeper??? 

[Andy B]

The ME index shows Mr Courtice's contributions start in 1916 and continue into the 1950s.
In the issue 24 Dec 1953, an article by Victor Harrison on his flash-steam powered model boat describes problems with steaming it and the supply of different types of coal.
His mentions of Courtice, including "Mr. Courtice came and spent a Saturday with me..." suggests they lived not too far apart. Harrison was in Bishops Stortford, I believe? So probably London & the Home Counties.
But I've not managed to get any closer yet using Ancestry.
I've discounted the 2 you identified, Mike.
Andy

[Andy B]

The ME ran a series called 'Who's Who in Model Engineering.
Courtice gets a mention in the one on Victor Harrison (issue 2727, year 1953):

[Doddy]

'Automatic Speed Control for Steam Locomotives'?

Interesting!