SPECIAL PROJECTS

I have tackled a number of “one-offs” over the years, these are just a few examples to illustrate my versatility.

This former military 2'6” gauge carriage (Chattenden & Upnor Railway (Navy)) passed to the Welshpool and Llanfair railway who judged it too difficult to vacuum brake and sold it to the South Tynedale railway (1'll½” gauge) who deemed it too difficult to convert. It was then aquired by the Welsh Highland Railway (also 1'11½”)and it was I who both converted it with ex South African bogies and vacuum braked it.

Former standard gauge inspection trolley converted to 2'6” gauge for the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway and including new axles (designed to the current European standard) modified suspension and brake rigging.

Two 3ft gauge trolleys, designed from scratch to be 9Tonne carrying flats with removable ballast hoppers, but with individual wheels in stub axles, each with spring-apply/pressure release and straight air braking and rubber suspension. For track maintenance on the Isle of Man (Manx Electric) but re-gaugable to standard through duplicate suspension brackets.

This "replica" of the Rev Awdry's "Toby the Tram engine" is based around a Fowler 0-4-0DH built to a flameproof specification with hydraulic starter. Its owners were finding the starting system irksome (the hydraulic accumulator had only a hand-pump!) and I was asked to fit a battery start and charge system using a starter motor fitted by a volunteer and an extant electrical (lghting) system of unknown origin and flameproof! In the event, "Toby" became electric start with a  replacement starter, modified dynamo, a new start/oil pressure/charge warning panel plus battery isolation, starter contactor, fuses and solid state voltage regulator, transforming "Toby" into a really useful engine... 

Extensive Experience

From integrating PLC (programmable logic controllers), through to designing new braking systems, I have considerable experience in many areas of rail transport and am happy to discuss your requirements and aspirations.