No not a full size one, obviously….
A while ago now I built my own 4mm model of Bulleid’s unconventional ‘Leader’, I utilised a kit of parts from Chris Meachen at Golden Arrow Productions. He sells limited edition ready to run models of this unusual prototype and obtained from him a kit of bits so I could do my own thing when it came to the chassis arrangement etc. A review of the model and my build can be found here on the on the SeMG website.
As you know from my post earlier this week, I shall be assisting Mike Wild, editor of Hornby Magazine, with exhibiting his Bay Street Shed MkII layout at this weekends Midland Railex exhibition (13th/ 14th August) . My Bulleid Leader model will make a guest appearance sneaking on to shed during the weekend.
I am sure it spark the usual questions that I get when it appears on Fisherton Sarum such as “What is it?” or “is that a diesel?” or “what’s the grey thing?” For those that are interested in finding out a bit more about what it was a rough guide can be found on Wikipedia although the usual caveats about accuracy in some places apply. For instance the initial intention was not that it “was to replace the aging fleet of M7 class tank engines” as quoted but to have the same route availability, which is not quite the same thing!
If you are able to get along to the Midland Railway Centre for the exhibition this coming weekend it should be worth it as the line up of exhibits looks a good one in an interesting venue too. Make sure you say hello to us on Bay Street Shed.