L&B mad Mallet project

[maxi-model]

I have been taken by the 009 masterpiece "County Gate" for some time. The thing I loved on the "what might have been" extension to the L&B to Minehead was a realisation of a suitable goods loco to cope with the proposed gradients - The mad Mallet, a Manning Wardle that has been put on a diet of steroids. I was given permission of this loco's originator to use the attached drawing to illustrate.




The original idea was to produce it in live steam form using modified Roundhouse kit with a body formed from etched brass. However on second thought I felt I would be way overreaching myself both financially and in terms of skill level.

All the bits have now been bought to produce an R/C battery powered loco with the body fashioned from 100 thou plastic sheet, power units and motions from 2 Bachmann Annie' chassis (possibly not ideal as the are outside frame not inside as per the picture) and a host of detailing bits from GRS. Phoenix do a very nice white lining transfer sheet that will avoid the need for an expensive lining service.

Got as far as cutting down one of the Bachmann units and re-positioning where the connecting rods pick up. That and the boiler barrel being fashioned. Might need some specialist services to modify the connecting rods. Now a bit of head scratching and taking a deep breath to go on. Will update as and when things happen. Max.

[MDLR]

(clicks on "View image")

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Max - that picture shows outside framed power units...............

[maxi-model]

Sorry I meant the driving wheels. Here are some pic's of the bits. Max.



Here are the Bachmann Annie chassis. At the back is what we start with and at the front is what we end up with. the objective to get the shortest power unit possible. There is still a bit of jiggery pokery to do with the connecting rod and reverser to do to make it work. Note the connecting rod now goes to the rear driver not the centre.



All the other bits (ex' battery and R/C stuff) mostly GRS white metal and brass stuff. Also a bit of waste pipe and cut down pots from my glucometer test strips. Perfect for sand pots and steam dome locator. Not sure if I'm going to use those counterweights with the wheels enclosed by dummy frames.