Steve Johnson    Modelmaker

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Armstrong Whitworth

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Yorkshire Engine 'Taurus' 0-8-0DH

The Yorkshire Engine Company of Sheffield built an 0-8-0DH locomotive designed for shunting and trip work. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines giving a total output of 600hp, transmission was hydraulic driving through a gearbox similar to the Fell Diesel. Taurus was tested with British Railways during 1961 and 1962. The locomotive was returned to the manufacturers where it was eventually dismantled and scrapped by 1965. The role this locomotive was intended for was taken up by the BR Class 14 0-6-0DH.

An unusual prototype of a locomotive not taken into BR stock, it is an interesting one to have. Fortunately Judith Edge Kits produce an etched brass kit. Although I have had the kit for some years, I have only just started to build it. So far, I have completed the frames and the lower body section.

Frame partially assembled

A bit more time and a bit more work! The image below shows the initial assembly of the body. There is a lot if extra detail that needs to be applied such as casing doors, radiators, handrails etc. The wheels, motor and gearbox have been ordered. These are almost as suggested in the instructions. The wheels are Romford 15mm 10 spoke. The motor is a Mashima 10x24 flat can motor. The instructions suggest an open frame version but these are no longer available. I opted for the Branchlines 51:1 gearbox. Clearance for the motor/gearbox assembly is very tight, as can be seen by the partially assembled frame image. The motor is supposed fit up through the space between the fuel tanks. Some adjustment may be necessary.

Initial Body Assembly

Further work has been carried out adding the remaining body details, interior and motor positioning. Due to the shape of the locomotive, the motor has been mounted on the leading axle of No.2 end, tilted back towards the radiator. It is a very tight fit and I have yet to add pick ups and wire the chassis up. It will be a DCC locomotive and it is looking that I will have to add the decoder between the frames. This will release body space for some extra weight.

Body completed and primed

I took an easy way out and sprayed the body with Halfords car sprays. There are a number of paints that are very similar to BR colours and a list of these is available on the web. This was partly an experiment to see if they were anywhere near. So, the body was spayed with Rover Brooklands Green. The buffer beam was masked off and sprayed with Volkswagon Mars Red. Between coats of red, some rivet detail was added using the excellent Archer Rivet packs. The cab roof was next receiving Grey Plastic Bumper Paint. The interior was painted cream with the control desks light grey with the instruments picked out in black. Body details were painted accordingly. The result was quite pleasing and after a coat of Testors Dullcote, I was pleased with the result.

The chassis was sprayed black before receiving a coat of Testors Dullcote. The wheel centres on Taurus were painted green, same as the body. The coupling rods in red. With this done, the chassis was re-assembled and tested. With testing complete, the coupling rod retaining washers were soldered on and touched up red. The decoder fitted to this locomotive is yet another experiment. This time it is one of these cheap Laisdcc decoders with 'stay alive' available on ebay. I must say it performs fine, although if using them, bear in mind the maximum current draw! The decoder was placed between the frames under the cab floor. The 'stay alive' capacitor is positioned between the frames at the No.1 end. Finally, a driver and cab light have been fitted.

A bit more weight was added in the form of cut lead sheet glued under the bonnets of both ends next to the cab bulkheads. The sprung buffers were fitted along with Exactoscale couplings. Last of all, the Alex Jackson coupling was fixed into place.

All in all, a great little kit of an unusual prototype that runs really nicely.