Manning Wardle

I decided that, with the lockdown taking effect, it was time to bite the bullet and begin the construction of a locomotive using the spare Graham Farish Prairie tank locomotive. I was in two minds whether to purchase a Roxey Mouldings 'Troodos' locomotive kit or a Rodney Stenning Manning Wardle locomotive kit. 

I decided on the Manning Wardle over the other kit because I was not sure whether it would actually be in gauge on my line and, deep down, I have always really wanted a Manning Wardle locomotive for my railway. 

The kit itself was very straightforward and only required subtle alteration to fit the chassis. 

I added some additional details to the loco using brass rod to form the handrails and the steam pips that proliferate the sides of this locomotive. 

I built a backhead for the boiler using plasticard and various other odds and ends to imitate the look and feel of a working cab.

I must confess I did make a few errors when I began the process of painting this model. I had thought that I would be easily able to recreate the southern green using my pot of Sherwood Green Railmatch paint but it looked absolutely ghastly. A quick repaint later and I found that GWR green was a much better alternative. I am going to add lining when I obtain some new paints. However, with circumstances as they are, the detailing on this locomotive is going to have to wait. 

I am really pleased with how this kit has turned out. It is a colossal locomotive and does ride a little high, but I can live with that as the height helps to demonstrate what an absolute beast this locomotive actually is. 

There was a point where I was considering purchasing a Heljan rtr version of this model, but it would not work properly on my small scale layout and I simply could not justify the expense.