15097

These three Simplex locomotives were acquired by the North British Railway, Great Eastern Railway and LNER. Upon grouping, the NBR and GER locomotives became part of the LNER stock and were classed as LNER Z6, but were re-designated Class Y11 in 1943. They survived into BR days with 15097 being withdrawn in 1950 and the other two in 1956. 15097 is was a standard 8 ton Simplex standard gauge locomotive fitted with an extra set of dumb buffers, whereas 15098-9 had rudimentary cabs and resembled garden sheds on wheels, they were powered by a 40hp petrol engine driving the wheels via a gearbox and chains.

I decided to have a go at 15097 first as there was a 3D Print available from Recreation 21. It was duly delivered and below is an image in its raw state.

3D Print in as delivered state

The first thing to do is to spray it in grey primer so that it is easier to see and work with. This is a very small locomotive and motorising it will be a challenge. However, I do have a plan and will experiment.

Primed and with Wheels Fitted

15097

Overhauled w/n 2126, ex-Preston Water Works, was acquired by the LNER 1925 and given the number ED/L4. It worked at the Greenland Creosote Works, West Hartlepool and seemed to disappear off the records until the Civil Engineers Department requested a new locomotive in 1949. The new locomotive was a Hibberd Planet 11104, later renumbered to Departmental 52.

15097 had a set of wooden dumb buffers fitted between and below the standard buffer beam, seemingly at one end only. This would seem to be for pushing wagons with a different buffer height. There also seems to cab front windows fitted. It also appears to have split spoke wheels. The number was painted on each end in the form No. 15097, with the 'o' underlined. It also had the letters 'N E' still visible on the side frame.

A preserved Simplex masquerades as 15097 on a preserved railway and is not the original locomotive, although it is very similar. Another preserved Simplex is numbered 15100, but was never a BR locomotive, the number is supposed to follow on from the original sequence. 15100 was actually ex-GWR Hawthorn Leslie No.2, re-numbered 15100 by British Railways!

15098

Works number 1931 of 1919, GER Petrol Engine No.1, LNER 8430, re-numbered 8188 and allocated 68188) carried the name Peggy until 1933, after the horse it replaced and had a tall cab made out of wood. It worked at Lowestoft before being moved to Brentwood in September 1925.

15099

W/n 2037, NBR Petrol Engine No.1, LNER 8431, re-numbered 8189 and allocated 68189), had completely open sides and a standard NBR shunters foot boards. It had the original Simplex tall cab, but shutters were fitted along with rear view mirrors. It was based at Kelso but was moved to Ware in August 1928. In January 1954 it was fitted with a Crossley 180bhp engine supposedly from a WWII tank.

An Impetus kit was made a number of years ago and is no longer available. One website incorrectly states Branchlines. A 3D print, similar to 15097, is made by Recreation 21 via Shapeways.