The prototype was designed at the Talyllyn Railway Pendre works, and built using parts from a 1948 Barclay 3' gauge locomotive as well as many new items. The project took over 20 years to complete and the loco entered service in 1991 as No.7, TOM ROLT. It is named after the transport history and engineering author, L. T. C. Rolt who inspired the rescue of the Talyllyn Railway by volunteers and was the TR's first general manager after preservation.
In the last 19 years, the loco has undergone a number of minor changes and our model is based on the engine as originally built.
Technical specifications for Tom Rolt:
* 0-4-2 inside framed chassis with two double acting slide valve cylinders operated by simplified Walschaerts valve gear.
* Internal gas firing using our 'FG' type burner.
* Controls fitted as standard are :- steam regulator, safety valve, pressure gauge, displacement lubricator, water gauge, gas regulator and reversing gear.
* Water gauge and top-up system fitted as standard.
* Dimensions are :- length (over buffers) 300mm, width 98mm, height 136mm, weight 2.75kg ( with r/c).
* Full radio control is available for both speed and direction.
* Gauge is not adjustable but the model is available in both 32mm and 45mm gauge versions.
* Supplied with both standard Roundhouse center buffers plus, hook coupling and buffers as per Talyllyn railway (as illustrated).
* Insulated wheels fitted as standard.
* Available in any standard Roundhouse colour. By popular request a new colour, Deep Bronze Green, has been added to the Roundhouse range of standard colours. We are told that this is close to the correct livery for this model.
* The loco in the picture is fully lined by LightLine. In addition to the lining, and included in our price, the smokebox is finished in Matt Black, the boiler top and cab roof in Satin Black, and the upper half of the cab interior in Cream.
* Minimum radius on 32mm gauge is 2’ 6" and for 45mm gauge, it is 2’ (LGB R1) .