Ruston & Hornsby ZM32

Now here's a good one for you. This is the diminutive departmental locomotive ZM32. Built by Ruston & Hornsby, this 20hp 'oil engine' worked at Horwich Works' narrow gauge system.

The model is very small and will be one of a number that will run on the industrial section of my model railway.

The kit is a Brian Madge kit and is relatively easy to build.

The model uses Brian's own mechanisms, which are very neat and do give good slow running. This involves a mini motor driving a layshaft via pulley. From there, each axle is driven via more gears giving about a 40:1 ratio.

The model is almost complete and awaits some form of coupling, which will be fitted once I decide what to go for. The 'Greenwich' is looking favourite at the moment for its remote uncoupling ability.

Here is ZM32 standing next to a Dapol Western to give you an idea of the size.