A 1:35 Fowler Model (1/35)

In 2015 my research documented that Nystrup Gravel took delivery of a Fowler diesel loco in 1934. Now I'm in possession of a model of that particular little Fowler on my 1:35 model of the gravel line. It is great to dig up the history of the gravel company's railway and almost simultaneously be able to develop my own 1:35 scale version of it.

While I enjoy building models, I haven't all the time in the world to build nor the talent for every task. Nystrup's 1:35 Fowler has thus been built in a work shop in Australia and flown half way around the planet to Denmark. The model is built from an etch developed, prepared and produced in Australia by Brian Millar and the model was also assembled and painted by Brian - himself a professional narrow gauge loco driver. Members of the narrow gauge yahoo-group FS32NG and the Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling forum have been able to see images of the loco during its construction.

My new model of Nystrup's Fowler posing behind the coal baskets.

The model is fitted with micro ball race bearings on both wheel and jack shaft axles. The front mounted gearbox is a Slater FD01 3:1 and it drives the two axles through the side rods. The motor is a 12 mm. x 10 mm. gear head motor. Each axle box is fully sprung using springs from disposable cigarette lighters. An ingenious use of a product never before (to my knowledge, at least) made useful for railway modelling!

One of the workers from the gravel company has brought his daughter to see the new British locomotive.

The full scale Fowler at Nystrup was originally meant for a customer in the tropics using Imperial measurements. Archive photos from Australia reinforce the assumption that the Fowler from Nystrup Gravel was originally intended for an Australian sugar mill, where almost identical locos worked. That my model also has a firm connection to that great far-away country is only fitting.

"Will such a heavy locomotive ever work on our narrow tracks?"

I have only test run the loco on direct AC and will in the coming months be touching up some worn paint, fitting a decoder and do some minor adjustments as advised by the builder. I will also fit some of the modifications added by Nystrup Gravel. Numbering will of course also be added according to Nystrup Gravel practise.

Ready for challenging tasks on Nystrup Gravel.