Into the Archive - 2 - Shorty Lima Shunter

This model isn't actually one built by me, but actually my Dad. Although he was not a railway modeller at the time, he enjoyed building and creating stuff, often sitting with me at the table as a kid while I built my own stuff. The loco here is the result of him butchering the Lima shunter from his childhood trainset.

The freelance Lima shunter with its pancake motor had been in my own stockbox as a kid, and I often ran it on my carpet based layouts! One day my Dad decided to reduce it in lenght to create what I think is a rather characterful little loco.

It's stubby length gives it a powerful look and, in my view, something more believable for a British setting.

At the time, maybe 15 years plus ago, our modelling tools and materials were much simpler. So everything here involves simple cheap knives, cardboard and no doubt cheap acrylic paints.

The body is a push fit on the cut down chassis, and this view highlights the sinple cardboard additions! I've always admired, and still do, my Dad's artistic approach to modelling and the results he got from sometimes unconventional approach.

To pair with the wagon he also finished the scrap wagon. Most likely picked up for a couple of pounds at a local show, the scrap load is mainly bits from old Airfix kits he built as a kid.

This isn't the only 00 gauge model my Dad built around this time, and I'll make sure to feature more of these characterful models in the future. As for the future of this model, I'm very tempted to remotor it and EM just for the fun of it!

Till next time.