Commission: Motor Rail 65/85hp in 009...

I'm always excited when a commission involves narrow gauge, and even more so when it's 009...

A customer asked for some help, looking to acquire a fleet of small British outline diesels in 009 for exhibition use - we discussed a few options and I suggested amongst others, the Motor Rail 0-6-0 locomotive. The prototype was built as a test circa 1930, but only one was ever built and it is believed to have been scrapped at the works. However, a drawing exists, and with a few dimensions checked it looked a great fit on the bargain Bachmann Plymouth N-gauge chassis - all wheel drive, all wheel pickup, with good weight - perfect for an exhibition layout.

I've since made a start on the design - the idea is not new, a 3D printed core to stick the etched metal parts to - and to help form the more complicated shapes... These 'design' drawings show the 3D parts in grey, the chassis block is dimensionally shown in black, although without wheels - the buffer beam weights (the grey bits under the buffer beams) will be 1mm above the rail head. The metal parts are shown in yellow - and as yet do not show the rivet and other detail.

I'll share more as the etch design progresses - the 3D parts are ordered from my supplier so I'll post about them when they arrive. More soon...