Percy Spooner & Co were well known for providing engineering consultancy to many prospective narrow gauge railways both at home and abroad during the latter half of the 19th century. Various documents from these consultancies still exist and among them are two proposals for Vulcan 0-4-0s for the Penrhyn Railroad and the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway that are very similar to the constructed “Kelso” and “Kathleen”
The Penrhyn Railroad locomotive entitled “Venus” on the drawings was proposed in the early 1870s during his survey of the railroad for conversion to steam haulage. Ultimately “Venus” was not constructed as the Penrhyn quarry company instead purchased two Dewinton vertical boiler locomotives.
The NWNGR locomotive is a proposal that dates from the latter half of the 1870s possibly 1778, there is some debate as to whether the locomotive was an original basis for Kathleen before being simplified or if it was intended as a shunter for the then new North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway of which it matched the stylings of its stock and was coupling compatible.
Both locomotives are a single print bodyshell for the Bachmann Trains 0-4-0 “Percy” chassis, It is recommended to remove the PCB and trim the PCB supports for the best possible fitment. Both kits also include Spooner style nameplates, “Venus” for the Penrhyn proposal, and a suitable “Moel Hebog” for the NWNGR 0-4-0.
Price: NWNGR £30 ~ Venus £25
WESTCLIFF WORKSHOPS 