N Gauge Bulleid Leader Body

Southern Railway engineer OVS Bulleid designed many iconic steam locomotives, making daring use of new advances in his aim of developing steam technology.  His last BR engine design was easily his most revolutionary – the ‘Leader’ Class of 1949.  Aiming to merge the advantages of diesels with accepted steam technology, he created Britain’s largest tank engine.  Running on two 3-cylinder bogies, underneath its air-smoothed casing were driving cabs at each end, boiler, bunker/water tank and between them a third firing cab.  Sporting chain drive between wheels and working using sleeve valve gear, the prototype suffered from numerous teething troubles large and small, from fragile and leaky valves to jamming reverser and excessive temperature for the crew.  While five were built (to varying stages of completion), only the first, 36001, steamed.  It was ignominiously scrapped in 1951, victim to pro-diesel sentiments, purported sabotage and ultimately despite its forward-thinking nature being built at just the wrong time.   

PLEASE READ AS THIS IS VITAL FOR SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION! 

This model is a revised and super-detailed upgrade of a previous version, with TWO separate ways it can be built.  The first modifies the motor chassis used to have scale Bulleid Firth Brown (BFB) wheels, while the second simpler method used the chassis unmodified (so keeping their underscale wheels).   

THE PARTS FOR THESE TWO VERSIONS ARE NOT INTERCHANGABLE.  Please therefore order accordingly – required to complete the model are: 

(BFB Rewheeled Version – 3D prints available separately)
• N Gauge Leader Cabs Ashpan BFB Version
• N Gauge Leader Bogies BFB Version
• N Gauge Leader Wheel Pack BFB Version
• Peco 31012 Collett Locomotive Tyre 10.8mm N Gauge (x2 sets ie 12 tyres eg via https://www.petersspares.com/p/peco-31012-collett-locomotive-tyre-108mm-pk6-n-gauge)
• Thin brass sheet (for pickups – design details in the construction video) 

(Simple Version – 3D prints available separately)
• N Gauge Leader Cabs Ashpan Simple Version
• N Gauge Leader Bogies Simple Version
• N Gauge Leader Bogie Supports Simple Version
• Graham Farish wagon wheels (x2)
• Crew 

(Needed for BOTH versions)
• N Gauge Bulleid Leader Body (this item – the same for both versions)
• Tomytec TM-TR02 Powered Motorized Chassis N scale (x2)
• 0.5mm styrene strip (to retain wheels and for shims where necessary)
• Wire (flexible electrical pickup between bogies and modelling wire for brake/heat pipes and brake gear)
• Livery-appropriate decals eg Railtec BR early crest non-GWR complete steam loco https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=2768 (Ask for two smokebox numberplates when selecting your desired running number)
• Weight
• Couplings
• Coal 

Videos under the respective BFB and Simple parts explain construction of the two methods.  As with the prototype, fine-tuning may be necessary!

(If wishing to use the Snowwolflair bogies and chassis system this body may not fit – the old version can be made available on request.)