Mercian models

[doilum]

I was most saddened to read in the obituary section of the passing of Trevor Cousens. Having posted my thoughts, I thought it would be an appropriate idea to clear Frydale of the Hunslets and give the Pecketts a run in his memory.

Having already built a couple of the Mercian Hunslets I got to know Trevor when I was building Ackton Hall #3. He did me an excellent deal on the X2 kit at the 2018 Guildex as I had convinced myself that the X2 on the kit literature was AH#3. It turned out that it was in fact Newdigate #3 and that there were quite distinct differences in the tank plating and rivet patterns. Following discussions at Doncaster and several phone calls Trevor generously sent me two lots of etches from his other X2 kits. In the end I bit the bullet and scratch built the AH#3 tank. The one from the original kit now sits in the yard of Frydale. With a bit of scratch building I created a fair copy of Newdigate #3 to go with it. The third loco has never been quite completed. It was an experiment to see if I could turn a set of Hachette tender wheels into driving wheels. It turned out that the sloppy axle fit that bedevilled the FS kit also prevented accurate quartering and I lost interest. One day I will come across a set of Slaters wheels at an irresistible price and it might get finished.

 

[ELTEL]

Thank you for posting the sad information that Trevor Cousins had recently passed away.

 

I believe I first met Trevor many years ago when he had a small model shop in Rugeley. 
 

Our paths crossed again when he became a regular supporter and  trader at our Stafford Exhibition, even after he ceased to take trade space  with us I often had a chat with him at both O Gauge and 0.16.5 narrow gauge events.

 

I many of his kits NG 0.16.5 wagon kits.

 

I think I’m correct in saying that last time I saw Trevor was the 0.16.5 Narrow Gauge Exhibition at Burton on Trent earlier this year.

 

A absolute gentleman RIP Trevor 

 

Terry 

Stafford Railway Circle 

Edited December 7, 2022 by ELTEL
Update

[Ben Forster]

The Ackton Hall model looks great. I’m a volunteer at the foxfield light railway and me and a group of 4 other teens are raising money to restore her. Would love to make a model of her to help promote the restoration of the real thing.

[doilum]

I'm not sure if the tank I modelled will have survived the rebuild. It had a unique pattern of rivitted platework possibly dating back to a recorded wartlime visit to the factory. In the end the individual plates were cut from shim brass and overlaid on a slightly undersized tank.

I really need to get round to ordering a couple of the powside wagons to go with.it.