Hi all,
Is this a previously unknown Marklin gauge 1 model of a tunnel inspection wagon for the London underground in the Victorian era?



Sadly no, not gauge 1 and not even Marklin, but it DOES run on my Marklin layout! ( not the tractor unfortunately which is a Breuer around the right time but on loan from Denmark).



The unit has a moveable top inspection platform ( hand cranked from below with the hand-wheel), and each end has a loading gauge rod which is swung out to the tunnel wall to check clearance. The distance is read from the angle subtended at the base of the rod. The handbrake has to be released for the wheel to turn and it has a reduction gear ( about 6:1) to the platform base. This allows an observer to check the roof condition, critical especially in the tunnels which were "cut and cover" initially.

The chassis is again old Hornby Dublo ( my last), with petrol tanker removed and repainted machinery grey. The wheels remain Hornby and run fine on C track.





Here the loading gauge rod is deployed.



Something suspicious was found so the inspector was called in.( Who I didn't realise looks a bit like Hitler on close up).



I think my age and tremor might put an end to these projects before long!
Thanks,
Howard.

Hi Kimball,
I was actually a bit uncertain to post it as it has no Marklin component , but does run on my layout at least!

I have a small lathe ( Austrian Unimat 3) which is now over twenty five years old and is very precise. It has a milling attachment which I rarely use now as I have a Proxxon bench mill.
For mid size jobs I have a Mini Lathe which is Chinese but a friend of mine worked on it for me and accurised it. It was not too flash straight out of the box.
My small vertical drill is by Proxxon in a drill press and for bigger work I use a Bosch bench vertical drill which allows very accurate speed control and depth of drilling.( Bunnings had them). I used all these tools to make the tunnel inspection car. The smallest thread tapped was 1.6mm. Very carefully.

The Breuer is a Rivarossi two rail model which I think is out of production not too long ago but would still be available on eBay.
I bought two and fitted a micro decoder to one and it runs a two rail shuttle I have on my layout. The other DSB model is two rail analogue.
SMF, MFB and Rivarossi made models. A mention and photo under Breuer in Blechundguss .com new items about 1/4 of the way down the list is worth a quick look.

I see bits for Long now and then on the net but never in the flesh yet.

Regards,
Howard.

Thank you so much for sharing that! That is a beautiful creation and it was a joy to see. Models don't have to be Mäklin to inspire us!

You do amazing work!

Hi Jim, thanks for the comment. I was glad to hear that people enjoy railway model making and are happy to see non Marklin stuff.
That's why I posted it, not for any accolade ( my reward is the finished item) but for the members enjoyment.
Cheers,
Howard.