Hello Martin
Just an update on my progress at Kingswell Street. Sadly, I have made no advance with the problem Bassett-Lowke SR 2-6-0 Mogul, which still refuses to run properly in forward gear (but runs fine in reverse). Nothing daunted, I have jumped in at the deep end again, this time with rather happier results.
Another B-L engine caught my eye in a Vectis auction. Not this time the giddy heights of a B17, but a fairly commonplace LMS 4-4-0 Compound, but in this instance a rather uncommonplace example of one. This is the final iteration of the LMS liveried Compound, numbered 1082, produced for a short period in the late 1940s before the change to the black BR version. (On the internet I have found an original sales receipt for one of these from 1952, so they were being sold as late as this).
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What caught my attention was the fact that the engine was clockwork, and also its splendid condition. I could also see that a previous owner had made some tasteful modifications - sprung buffers, three-link couplings, and larger diameter bogie wheels. I also spotted that the driving wheels were not the expected 14 spoke Mazak variety, but 18 spoke. They turned out to be cast-iron, like the electric drive version, but pressed-on rather than centre-nutted. When the loco arrived, it did not disappoint.
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The new bogie wheels are cast-iron, and the tender wheels have been changed too, so there is no Mazak on this engine. As you can see, the buffer and coupling changes have been done very neatly (and I would think it was a professional job). Of course, these changes mean the Compound is no longer really collectible, which was to my advantage in the auction.
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As you can see, the engine does not seem to have had much use - there is very little wear on the mechanism, and hardly any dust on the finish, let alone dirt. It almost makes me wonder whether it has been stored in a display case (it did not come with a box).
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The larger bogie wheels really do improve the appearance of the front end, but I would think there is no chance that it would negotiate 2 foot radius curves with this setup. The very good news is that 1082 is a splendid runner - I just gave the mech a service and lube, and she goes like a new engine. Quiet, smooth, and with excellent controls.
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So here is the latest addition to our MPD, seen on a running-in turn at the head of a local train to Gloucester. These Compounds were a Bassett-Lowke classic, in this tinprinted and tabbed form lasting from introduction in the 1928 catalogue as number 1190 right through to the end of Bassett-Lowke in 1965 in its BR livery.
John
