Accucraft UK Ltd
In the weeks following the success of Chai Wallah in the first Accucraft competition, I pondered the question of what to do with my power unit prize. I already had built a 7/8ths scale loco on an Accucraft “Lawley” unit and was well aware of the delightful characteristics of this engine. Fate stepped in as she often does and an advert appeared on the S.E.Lounge for an already built Simply 7/8ths body kit . . and in Scotland! One phone call to the Black Isle secured the deal and I had the beginnings of something.
I’ve always liked the look of the South African 4-4-0s and printed off some photos of the real Lawley from Sandstone Estates as inspiration. I dismantled the second hand body (sorry!) and rebuilt it with longer side tanks, an elongated cab and new roof. The footplate was lengthened and new buffer beams made up.The safety valve covers were simply soldered up from scrap bits and pieces from the ubiquitous leftovers box. The cow-catcher was a bit of fun to do . . ever tried soldering all those little bits so close to each other?!
Much help and support was received from the Tuesday Night Tullibody crew on this matter, they said to say.
The Chapelhill MD insisted on the usual toolbox, while bell-mouth couplings were added from Talisman. The tender was made up from brass sheet with wheels from the Bachmann Troublesome Trucks range. Real coal was of course used.
The end result performs in the usual way . . smooth, reliable, with no histrionics nor idiosyncratic behaviour. We love it, and thank you for making it possible.
