RAIL PHOTOPRINTS

It was a bold move for Heljan to enter the ‘OO9’ market with the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Manning Wardle 2-6-2Ts. While there was never much doubt that any model of an L&B subject would be popular, the 2-6-2Ts pose real headaches for any model designer. The long wheelbase and outside frames are far from ideal for a modelling scale/gauge combination which grew out of industrial narrow gauge modelling and features very tight curves as one of its attributes.

It is perhaps not surprising, therefore, that the Heljan 2-6-2T had some issues and really requires a layout built with curves to suit it. However, there was an L&BR locomotive which did have a much shorter, more flexible wheelbase and is much more suited to the traditional type of ‘OO9’ layout. The Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn was as readily associated with the L&B as any of the Manning Wardles and it is now revived in full size by a replica which operates at Woody Bay, so what better choice for Heljan’s second foray into ‘OO9’?

Having bought two of the Manning Wardle models I was delighted to be asked to review the model of Lyn. The first thing to notice is that the Baldwin was a large 2-4-2T. It looks bulkier than the 2-6-2Ts, and when placed alongside one it is actually much the same in overall dimensions, but the larger side tanks, cab and three domes of the Baldwin certainly make the Manning Wardle appear more delicate.

Like the Manning Wardle, Heljan’s Lyn is exquisite.

The character of ‘the Yankee’ has been perfectly captured, from the outside-framed pony trucks to the ‘glasshouse’ wooden cab, which has so much glazing that a very detailed cab interior has had to be provided. A fully detailed backhead is featured and can be readily seen through the large side and rear windows. The very fine external detail is, however, quite vulnerable and once again we have packaging which, while

designed to prevent damage, can actually cause it. In this instance the cab roof whistle has a noticeable lean to one side and both corners of the bunker coal rails had been bent downwards by the packaging, causing one side to break. I haven’t risked trying to rectify it either, for fear of causing more damage.