STEAM LOCOMOTIVES - Pete Johnson

Although this website primarily caters for the 1970s, there are certain cross-over layouts such as Canada Road and Hartburn that feature steam traction in their 1960s segways.

Lancashire & Yorkshire Rly 0-4-0ST 'Pug' 51237 in a late fifties/early sixties livery. This model perhaps gives away my age! When I first got interested in the hobby - in the early 1970s - motorising the Airfix kit of this loco type was an often reported project in the modelling magazines. At that time motors and gearsets compact enough to make it work were hard to come by! By the time I scratchbuilt the chassis for this model in the early 1980s things were becoming easier and the Portescap 1216 motor/gearbox was perfect for the job. Just a few years later there was a ready-to-run model, and much of the novelty value was lost... The prototype was a nicely proportioned design, and several of the class used to work in the Liverpool docks, and regularly pass the Prince's Dock wall which was the inspiration for the back wall on Canada Road.

Southern Railway ‘B4’ 0-4-0 ‘30096’. This was one of a batch of three scratchbuilt in the mid-1980s to plans in Model Railway Constructor. These small sturdy looking engines were built for work within Southampton Docks, but later found use elsewhere on the SR when the ‘USA’ tanks, and later diesel Class 07s arrived.

Built on handmade brass frames and cylinders, with Romford wheels and a Portescap RG4 motor, the bodywork is mostly plasticard with cast brass fittings. It used to partner a kit-built Southern ‘Q1’ 0-6-0 during exhibitions, but has been in retirement of late.

Another of the rarely seen Canada Road locos is GWR pannier tank 8779. This was built in the early 1980s and makes use of the Perseverance chassis kit with a Portescap motor, and a much adapted Hornby bodyshell – including cutting it down the centreline to correct the width! (amongst other improvements). Although more true scale r-t-r models of the type are now available, 8779 still gets the odd trip out on the layout, and may see more use now the new green 03 is available as a running mate.

The LNER J72 0-6-0 is pictured with all bodyshell detail items added. The pipes below the footplate have been made using plastic rod for good bonding to the shell, with brass rod employed for strength on the more vulnerable end sections by the buffer beams. The excellent Mainline bodyshell is paired with a compensated chassis built from the Perseverance kit. Romford wheels and a 60:1 gear set on a Mashima motor complete the dynamics.

The chassis showing the low-slung Mashima motor and flywheel. This arrangement has the advantage of minimal intrusion into the cab, and allows the correct ‘daylight’ beneath the boiler forward of the sidetanks.

LNER J72 69016 having now received basic paint and markings. It now joins the queue for a weathering painting session.

69016 has been completed to a 1963/4 appearance, when only lightly weathered.

LNER J72 0-6-0T 69016 is shown again in a bunker end view.

Here's a selection of ex-LNER locos for Ian Manderson's Hartburn layout, shown finished and during construction.

LNER J27 0-6-0 (from the Dave Alexander kit).

A detail view of the chassis from the LNER J27. Modified Alexander Models frames have been used, with compensation incorporated. The Romford wheels give a live-axle pick-up on one side, and Kean-Maygib 462NS sprung plungers complete the system. The coupling rods are from Alan Gibson, and final drive from the Mashima 1620 motor is via a 60:1 worm/wheel set on the rigid back axle. The centre wheel balance weight is made from 5 thou plasticard fixed with epoxy, and more epoxy is use to fill the wheel centres before filing flush.

The tender for one of the J27 is shown awaiting painting. This model has been adapted slightly from the supplied kit parts to add an extra coal rail, as shown by photographs of the chosen locomotive in the mid-60s.

LNER J27 65819 is pictured ready for weathering. This view shows the finished loco, modelled to photographs from 1964 when she was running with a snowplough fitted. The fireman’s tools in the tender tool rack are etched items available from 247 Developments.

The J27 0-6-0 workhorses were amongst the last steam survivors in the North East despite their age. 65860 is shown modelled in a typical 1966 condition for the type, when loco cleaning was only being done by steam enthusiasts not depot staff.

A local pick-up freight trundles through Hartburn station. (Photo - Ian Manderson)

65860 coasts into the exchange sidings at Canada Road on a local trip working. The loco has seen better days, but she still holds a good head of steam as Fireman Manderson will testify. This kit loco was built and weathered by Pete Johnson. The photo has been enhanced using Paint Shop Pro, adding a bit of sky, steam and smoke. (Ian Manderson / Kier Hardy).

J39 64897 picks up a loaded van from the long siding. J39's weren't seen on the Rothbury branch in reality but the Bachmann model is nice. This will be converted to EM using the EMGS conversion kit. These images show the new fence and bushes that have recently been added, using a variety of materials.