Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi Jim,

Yes, and alas at least two of the drivers have past away.  The model was a Simplex built by members of the society I don't know what happen to it, it isn't around now.  It was named Charles Downs after one of the constructors that die of cancer before it was finished.  Our son has a Simplex built by his grandfather when well in his seventies, it has been in my Den for the last twenty or more years waiting for said son to collect it!  My father never saw it run as he was in poor health when he finished it.  The model has only run once which was before it was painted.  This happened either on a Boxing Day or New Years day when the W&DMES has members play days. A video was taken for my father to see, the model performed very well for a first time out.  If I remember correctly I nearly ran into the train in front while it was in the station not because I didn't see it but because I opened instead of closing the regulator. Not completely my fault as the construction of the regulator require a left hand thread and not having a suitable tap my father used a right hand one.  I had closed the regulator by hitting it with the shovel to save leaning forward and only just managed to stop before impact!

Halcion days!

Take care Tony.