A layout with a difference.

That loco looks very interesting John - tell us more please.

It looks like it was made by an engineer or a very talented model maker. 

Hi Peter,
Long story attached to this one.

The loco is called " Princess Marina " and is a 3.5 inch gauge live steam model of the Stanier 2-6-0 Mogul.

The original plans for this model were drawn up around 1936 by Curly Laurance, better known in lEnglish ive steam circles as LBSC.

Apparently quite a lot of this model have been constructed over the years as it is seen as a reliable performer and a reasonably easy model to build by a semi skilled modeller.

The story behind the model I purchased is incomplete at the moment but I am going to try and uncover more in the next few months.

I purchased the model in November 2024 in Maryborough Queensland, not far from Gympie where I live.

The owner told me that he had bought the rolling chassis in 1990 from a modeller in the UK and he will try to find his records of the original builder.

He built the boiler and completed the loco and tender around 2000 and then had the boiler certified by a member of the Maryborough Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association.

I have attached a video of him made around 2009 at his home in Bundaberg prior to moving to Maryborough.

I am a complete novice regarding the operation of this model but with two sons who are both mechanically trained and have enough space to build a track we hope to have her running again in a year or so.

I have been in touch with a local retired engineer who has built around 8 or 9 models, mainly 5 and 7.25 inch gauge who is prepared to offer advice and guidance and I have also been advised to join either the Maryborough club or the Brisbane Society of Model Engineers to access knowledge and advice as we go so this is going to be a long term project.

When I have more news I will start a new post.

Cheers,

John.

 

Looks like my video failed.

I will try and change the format and reload.

May take a while.

Looks like I,ve had a win.

Or have I, the videos seem to have dissapeared.  HELP.
 

AUSSIETRAINS said

Or have I, the videos seem to have dissapeared.  HELP.
 

From “Post #291,777”, 11th March 2025, 11:12 pm

It's still there 👍

Cheers,
Claus

Nice running loco, surprised he didn't get giddy 

 

That's great John - as Ed said, he wouldn't want to sit on that for too many circuits …………………..especially with the pool so close.

Thanks Claus.

Ed and Peter, Yes a track that small would drive you mad.

My 2 sons have said we have to have something better than that.
But that,s a long way down the track.

A bit more work has been done on the quarry.

View over the whole layout.

That's come together very nicely John, and in what seems like, double quick time !

You have sussed out my cunning plan Peter.
I have been working on this for a couple of years and have been keeping a photographic record as I went along.
I have just about finished it now, well no layout is ever " finished ", but I think I have got it to the stage where I can only add small touches here and there so these pictures are the layout as it is today.
I am going to be pretty busy for the next four or five months helping my sons with their Macadamia harvest so trains will take a bck seat for a while.
I will still lurk around the place though.