It must be 18 months since somebody suggested that a Manning Wardle would be nice in Gauge 3, and here is the test etch just assembled. No patterns have been made for the castings yet so it is still some way off, but at least you can see that it does exist!
Chassis is laser cut 1.5mm steel with steel hornguides and sprung brass axleboxes. Wheels will be Slaters.
Mike
The first small batch is now available. This is not a complete kit, but parts to make the majority of the model. It includes:
Two very large sheets of etchings for the body, with alternative cabs and other parts. Laser cut steel frames, motion plate, crossmembers, hornguides etc. Two main frame designs were used on these engines and these are for the later type, but we will be making the early type later as an alternative. Milled brass axleboxes.
Slaters have agreed to make the correct wheels with the characteristic double cranks.
NOT included are any castings at all, wire, nuts and bolts, axlebox springs and other small details. We would still like to offer a complete kit eventually, but that could be some time off yet.
The MSC Crailcrest motor and gearbox will fit nicely, but is not included as I am sure people will have their own preferred unit.
The price is £190.
If you are interested please don't send a cheque but contact me instead. This is bacuse this first batch is only small and due to the size of the etchings we'll need to discuss postage costs, delivery or collection.
Mike
We asked David White of Slaters to make the wheels specially for this engine, and they arrived this week. Although a lot of class L engines did not have the characteristic Manning Wardle double crank wheels, many did, and they are so typical that those are the ones we asked them to do. They are available now from Slaters and from us - WilliamsModels. I must now get on with the patterns for castings, and the coupling rods.
Mike