Sold October 2003 Back to Archive

A scratch-built battery-electric 0-6-0 shunter in 3 1/2 inch gauge. Fitted with the ubiquitous dry-fit 12 volt batteries now used in everything from burglar alarms to industrial-strength radio-controlled racing cars, with a windscreen-wiper motor geared down and driving through a jackshaft at the rear of the engine. The control panel inside the cab has switches for forward/reverse, low/high speed ranges and the (loud) hooter. The stop/go toggle switch is mounted on a remote control box, connected in the cab via jack plug.

Ideal for the younger driver, its modest size and weight make it easy to get on and off the track. The neatly-executed wooden construction could easily be passed off as your own work on Christmas Day (and for a small monthly payment we could be persuaded not to spill the beans).

It goes well and No.2 son (himself a Maxitrak Simplicity owner, so he knows a thing or two about these things) assesses it as "cool" (in his rather monosyllabic, Playstation-distracted way).