My interest in model engineering began after seeing a magazine in the local news agents which corresponded with the birth of my eldest son.Ah I thought just the job a live steam loco around the garden, I joined a local night school class to try and learn what was involved and what equipment was needed.

The course tutor suggested building a small oscillating engine so off we went, castings were duly ordered and machining started .This little engine was quite quickly finished and tested on air.Next project was a Stuart 10 Mill engine this with help and advice from the course tutor was completed and mounted on a nice wood plinth for display in the house.

So onto the Loco,after browsing magazines and attending shows etc the choice was settled on a narrow gauge outline.Plans and some castings were obtained for the 3.5” version of Sweet Pea.The frames,wheels,axle boxes,horns and part of the cylinders have been completed.

I joined the local model engineering club and made quite a few useful contacts,and that’s wear it stops,progress is slow and now realize that it could be a retirement project !