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L.B.S.C, Lillian "Curly" Lawrence

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L.B.S.C, a.k.a. "Curly" Lawrence, b. September 27, 1883
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Titles to look out for:
[in ascending order of date of publication (year) with each entry dated to earliest edition. Each listing includes later editions and printings]
1940. Introducing "Bat" and "Owl" 1949 (Originally in 'Mechanics' magazine. 2010 reprint by TEE Publishing): Southern "Girton" in Gauge 1
1980. Evening Star: Building a 3.5 inch gauge B.R. 2-10-0 Locomotive by Martin Evans and LBSC
1996. 'LBSC' Footplate Experiences. Reminiscences at New Cross
1929 (and later editions) LBSC's Shop, Shed and Road
1952. "Maisie": Words and Music, by L.B.S.C.
Undated. 'Mona, A Simple 0-6-2 tank engine: Specialist Booklets No. 3.'
1980. Princess Marina by L.B.S.C (LMS 2-6-0 Mogul, 3.5 in gauge)
1968, Simple Model Locomotive Building introducing L.B.S.C's "Tich"
1969. Speedy Great Western 0-6-0 Tank Engine: A Powerful 0-6-0T in 5 in. gauge
1975. Virginia: L.B.S.C's Famous 4-4-0 Virginia: Live Steam Locomotive Construction

About the Author:
L.B.S.C. were the initials that masked the identity of a former engineman of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, who spent most of his life after leaving the service of the railway company he worked for, building model locomotives and writing about them. His works were published in 'Model Engineer' almost continually from September 1924 until his death in 1967. He was called 'Curly' after his fine youthful head of long golden curls

When Curly Lawrence began his series of articles in 1924, little did he realise that just five years later, his reputation would be established enough for his readers to deamand a book containing his useful advice on all aspects of Model Engineering. This advice appeared under the title of 'Shop, Shed and Road', sold thousands of copies, was reprinted in many different editions and finally was reborn as 'The Live Steam Book'. Later it was to reappear under its original title and edited by Martin Evans.

A pivotal moment in L.B.S.C's life and in the model railway movement (which until then was fragmented and the playground of the wealthy) was the famous "Battle of the Boilers", where L.B.S.C demonstrated that a half inch (0.5 inch) scale coal-fired locomotive could pull "live passengers". Readers of 'Model Engineer' followed his instructions on how to build such locomotives, which in turn led to friends and like-minded coming together and forming model locomotive clubs in private gardens and parks both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Although LBSC had friends throughout the world as a result of his endeavours, he was actually shy and retiring and few of his many fans ever had a chance to ride behind one of his masterpieces on his fully-signalled track at Purley Oaks, Surrey, England. His close friends numbered among them several of the C.M.E.s (Chief Mechanical Engineers), who brought problems to him seeking solution from his sharp-thinking mind. He was entirely self-taught, but was still able to see practical answers to problems brought to him.

LBSC built and wrote up engineering notes on the following coal-fired, passenger-hauling locomotives, which are listed below with plan numbers to make it easier for would-be model engineers to track the original plans down, or at least to know what was published on a given locomotive. It should be noted that LBSC's articles on these locomotives appeared in 'Model Engineer' magazine. These can often be picked up at jumble sales, car boot sales and particularly Ebay:

[In order of plan number - L.O #]  

  • Sir Morris de Cowley (L.O 50), 1.25 in gauge 4-6-2 tender locomotive (vols 54-55), firing: spirit or coal. 3 sheets of plans were published
  • Mollyette (L.O 51), 1.25 in. gauge 0-6-0 L.M.S tank locomotive (vol 89), fitted with single cylinder and spirit fired boiler. 3 sheets.
  • Bat (L.O 52), 1.25 in. gauge 4-4-0 locomotive and tender (vols 81-83). The engine has outside cylinders and was based on the Southern Region "Schools" class. Suitable for coal or spirit firing. 2 sheets
  • Juliet (L.O. 53),1.75 in gauge 0-4-0 tank locomotive of freelance design (vols 95-97), suitable for spirit or coal firing.
  • Chingford Express (L.O 54) , 1.75 in. gauge 0-6-0T. of L.N.E.R type (vol 90). It is a simple spirit-fired model with single inside cylinder. The drawing gives full details of frames, wheels, boilers, valve gear, lubricator and so on
  • DOT (L.O 55), 1.75 in. gauge 4-6-0 model based on the Stanier Class "5". (vols. 101-102). It is spirit-fired, and has outside cylinders and slip-eccentric valve-gear. 3 sheets of plans published.
  • Diana (L.O 56), 1.75 in. gauge 4-6-2 coal-fired freelance Pacific model (vol 102). 3 sheets.
  • Southern Maid (L.O 57), 2.5 in gauge, a simple 0-6-0 Southern Region type tender locomotive (Vols 75-78). Coal fired with outside cylinders. 3 sheets.
  • Victoria (L.O. 58), 2.5 in gauge, simple single-cylinder 0-4-4 tank locomotive. Oil fired. 2 sheets.
  • Austere Ada (L.O. 59), 2.5 in gauge, 2-8-0 "Austerity" type tender locomotive (Vols 88-91). With outside cylinders and Walschaerts' valve gear. 5 sheets.
  • Olympiade (L.O. 60), 2.5 in gauge, 4-6-0 tender locomotive based on the L.M.S 5XP type (Vol. 79). Three cylinders and Walschaerts' valve gear. 5 sheets published
  • Purley Grange (L.O. 61), 2.5 in gauge 4-6-0 tender locomotive based on the G. W. R. "Grange" Class (Vols. 76-78). Outside cylinders with inside Stephenson link valve gear. 4 sheets published.
  • Juliet (L.O. 62), 3.5 in gauge 0-4-0 tank locomotive (Vols 95-97). A free-lance contractor's type of engine, with outside cylinders and either slip-eccentric or Stephenson valve gear. 6 sheets of plans published
  • Jeanie Deans (L.O. 63), 3.5 in gauge, 2-2-2-0 L. N. W. R. compound locomotive, three cylinders. 8 sheets of plans published
  • Juliet No. 2 (L.O. 64), 3.5 in gauge 0-4-0 tank locomotive, a model which is similar to Juliet, but is fitted with Baker valve gear. 5 sheets of plans published
  • Hielan Lassie (L.O 65), 3.5 in gauge 4-6-2 tender locomotive, based on the Thompson rebuild of the L.N.E.R Pacific (Vols. 94-97, reprinted in Vols. 121-126). Three cylinders, with choice of piston or slide valves, and Walschaerts' or Baker valve gear. 11 sheets of plans published.
  • Rainhill (L.O. 67), 3.5 in gauge 0-2-2 locomotive and tender based on Stephenson's famous "Rocket" (Vol. 84). 2 sheets
  • Molly (L.O. 68), 3.5 in gauge 0-6-0 tank locomotive (Vols. 85-87). Standard L. M. S. class "3F" shunting engine, with inside cylinders and Stephenson valve gear. 5 sheets published
  • Maisie (L.O 70), 3.5 in gauge 4-4-2 locomotive and tender. (Vols 72-76). Based on the famous Ivatt G. N. R. "Atlantic" type, this model has outside cylinders, with inside valve gear, and a wide-firebox boiler with alternative designs. 7 sheets of drawings published
  • Petrolea (L.O 71), 3.5 in gauge 2-4-0 locomotive and tender. (Vols. 89-94). This model is based on Holden's G. E. R. design and has inside cylinders with Stephenson valve gear. 7 sheets of plans
  • Doris (L.O. 72), 3.5 in gauge 4-6-0 locomotive and tender (Vols. 98-101). Based on the famous L. M. S. Stanier class "5 MT," this model has outside piston-valve cylinders and Walschaerts valve gear. 10 sheets of plans
  • Pamela (L.O. 73), 3.5 in gauge 4-6-2 locomotive and tender of free-lance design. (Vols102-104). Has outside piston-valve cylinders and Walschaert valve gear. The boiler is of the wide-firebox type. 11 sheets of plans
  • TICH (L.O. 75), 3.5 in gauge 0-4-0 tank locomotive (Vols. 100-105). This is a small free-lance, contractor's type of engine, specially designed for the beginner. Outside cylinders and choice of slip-eccentric or Walschaerts valve gear. Details for a larger boilered version are given on sheets 18-21
  • "Tich" Passenger Car (L. O. 76), Arrangement of bogies, axleboxes, buffer beam, brake shaft and spring details. 2 sheets
  • Canterbury Lamb, (L.O. 77), 3.5 in gauge 0-4-0 locomotive (Vols 107-108). Based on the famous "Invicta" of the Whitstable and Canterbury Railway. 8 sheets of drawings
  • Maid of Kent (L.O. 80), 5 in gauge locomotive and tender. (Vols. 97-101). This model is based on the Southern Railway Maunsell "L.1" class. It can be built with inside or outside cylinders and Stephenson valve gear, or with inside cylinders and Joy valve gear. 15 sheets of drawings
    NOTE: Interestingly, when LBSC wrote articles in 'Model Engineer' on building 'Maid of Kent', it was these articles that were spotted by Alec Farmer in a copy of the magazine at a local library in Birmingham and they provided the spark of realisation for him that people were building real live steam model railway engines. This was the necessary impetus for him to ramp up his knowledge and experience of building model railway engine boilers, culiminating in his highly regarded work 'Model Locomotive Boilermaking'
  • Britannia (L.O. 81), 3.5 in gauge 4-6-2 locomotive and tender. (Vols. 104-109). A large and powerful model based on the B.R. class "7" Pacific. Outside piston-valve cylinders, Walschaerts valve gear and wide firebox boiler. 21 sheets of drawings
  • Oil Burner (L.O. 82), one sheet gave three alternative types, with oil tank and control valve
  • Holcroft Valve Gear (L.O. 83) to 2.5 in gauge. One sheet giving full details of links, etc
  • Westinghouse Brake (L. O. 84) One sheet giving full details of pump, reservoir, brake valve and engine and tender brake cylinders
  • Vertical Test Boiler (L.O. 86) One sheet showing vertical cross-section of boiler, firebox tubeplate and arrangement of superheater
  • Cylinders for 5. in gauge Doris
  • Titfield Thunderbolt (L.O. 89) 3.5 in. gauge or 5 in. gauge 0-4-2 locomotive based on the famous "Lion" (No. 57) of the LIverpool and Manchester Railway (Vols. 108-110). 15 sheets of plans
  • Netta (L.O. 90) 3.5 in. gauge 0-8-0 locomotive and tender, N. E. R. Worsdell design. (Vols. 110-113). Has outside cylinders with inside Stephenson valve gear. Numbers L. O. 91-94 are 5 in., 2.5 in., 1.75 in. and 1.25 in. gauge versions of this engine-in each case the general arrangement drawing (L.O. 90 sheet 1) is the same. 10 sheets of plans published.
  • Virginia (L.O. 95) 3.5 in. gauge 4-4-0 locomotive and tender. (Vols. 115-116). This model is based on a typical American express engine of the 1870-1880 period. It has outside cylinders and inside Stephenson link valve gear. 7 sheets published
  • Pansy (L.O. 96) 5 in. gauge 0-6-0 tank locomotive. (Vols. 118-120). This is an accurate model of the well-known G. W. R. "57xx" class Pannier tank. It has inside cylinders with Stephenson valve gear. 9 sheets published.
  • Mabel (L.O. 97) 3.5 in. gauge L. N. W. R. 2-4-0 locomotive. 3 sheets published
  • Mabel (L.O. 98) 5 in. gauge version
  • Mona (M. M. 922) Simple 0-4-2 inside cylinder tank engine, London Chatham and Dover Railway. 4 sheets published
  • Betty (M. M. 923) 2-6-2 outside-cylinder locomotive in 3.5 in. gauge to the proposed N2 Southern Class of 1934, itself a development of the 2-6-0 S. E. & C. R. N. class of "mongoliper". 3 sheets of drawings published
Lawrence, L.B.S.C "Curly" Lawrence, "Introducing Bat and
1940 TEE Publishing, pbk
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About this book: This is a photostat facsimile of the constructional articles on LBSC's famous gauge locomotives, one an 0-6-0 tank, the other a 4-4-0 tender locomotive. During World War 2, Curly decided to design two locomotives that could run indoors, given that by the time most people were home from work, it would be dark, impossible to see the locomotives and in any case, you couldn't run them outside incase the light from the firebox signalled a Luftwaffe bomber in for a destructive run on the neighbourhood. The need therefore arose for a suitable engine and something powerful, speedy and easy-to-build. "Bat" is Curly's first answer to that need (and an answer to the requests he received to build such an engine) and it is based on the Southern "V" class ("Schools") locomotive, which Curly notes are about the most powerful and efficient 4-4-0 locomotives you can get. "Bat" is not a genuine full copy, having a different valve gear, but it is close as you can get in size and personal appearance. Multiple sections discuss the choice of boiler, frames, buffer beams, valves, and axleboxes, etc, accompanied by detailed scale diagrams across 42 pages. "Owl" is the 2nd "0" gauge engine described in this book, again for building and running indoors. She is based on the 4F 0-6-0 goods engines of the L.M.S., but it has introduced certain variations to combine efficiency of operation with ease of construction, although the overall length, wheelbase and certain other dimensions correspond to "big sister". The two principal variations from scale are the boiler (which is 1 3/4" diameter - 1/4" larger); and the wheels, which are 1 1/8" rather than 1 3/8"). As with "Bat", the text is accompanied by scale diagrams throughout the 29 pages of build instructions. All the build details are covered: main frames, running gear, an injector tip, crank axle, coupling rods, cylinders, slide valves, steam chest, ports, passages, cylinder covers, odd details and assembly, guide bars and crossheads

Bat: A gauge "0" "Live Steamer" for the indoor railway. By "L.B.S.C."
Sections: A suitable prototype
More history
Genesis of the "Bat"
A Choice of Boiler
Frames
Buffer Beams
Axleboxes
Coupled Wheels and Axles
Bogie
How to Erect Wheels and Axles
Coupling-Rods
Cylinders for the "Bat"
Ports and Passageways
Steam-Chests
Slide Valves
Guide Bars and Crossheads
Guide Yokes or Motion Brackets
Connecting-rods
How to Erect Cylinders
Valve-Gear
Rocker Bearing
Rocker Arms or Cranks
Eccentric Straps and Rods
Steam and Exhaust Connections
Exhaust Tee and Blast Pipe
Steam Tee
Lubricator
Loco-Type Boiler
Water-Tube Boiler Outer Shell
Girder Stays
Fitting Firebox and Tubes to Shell
Inner Barrel for Water-Tube Boiler
Backhead and Assembly
Barrel and Firebox Stays
Link Motion
Construction - Rocking-Shaft and Arm
Expansion-Links and Eccentric-Rods
Weighbar Shaft and Linking Links
How to Erect the Shaft
How to Set the Valves
Water-tubes and Bushes
Smokebox for Loco-Type Boiler
Smokebox Fitments; The Outer Chimney; Smokebox Door; A Finicky Job; Attachment to Boiler and Frames; Smokebox for Water-tube Boiler; Dummy Door and Hinges
Boiler Fittings: Safety Valves; Regulator; Superheater; Dome and Cover; Backhead Fittings; How to Mount the Boiler
Grate; Ashpan; How to Erect
Running Boards and Splashers
Cab: Front and Side
Tender: Frames and Buffer Beams; Wheels and Axles; Working Axleboxes and Springs for Tender; Tender Hand Pump; Tender Details for Solid Fuel; Coal Plate and Tank Cover; Tender for Liquid Fuel
How to Make the Pump; Fuel Valve; Combined Air Valve and Filter; Fitting for Swivelling; Burner; Modus Operandi; Boiler Stay Taps

Introducing the "Owl", blackout [as in World War 2 blackout] bird No. 2
Sections
Introduction
Variations
Main Frames
Running Gear
An Injector Tip
Crank Axle
Coupling-Rods
Cylinders
Slide Valve
Ports and Passages
Cylinder Covers
Odd Details and Assembly
Guide Bars and Crossheads
Connecting Rods
Motion Plate
How to Erect the Cylinders
Valve Gear for the Owl
How the Gear Operates
Slide Blocks
Eccentric Straps and Rods
How to Assemble and Connect Up
Reverse Lever
Lubricator
Barrel and Wrapper
One of My Tricks
Firebox and Crown Stays
Tubes and Smokebox Tubeplates
Fitting Firebox and Tubes to the Shell: The Next Brazing Operation; How to Make Tongs; Brazing the Crown; Brazing the Crownstay Flanges; Backhead and Foundation-Ring
How to Stay the Boiler; Boiler Fittings: Water Gauge; Clack Box or Clack Valve; Steam Valve for Lubricator; Smokebox; Door and Attachments
Water Tubes: Shell and Wrapper; The Inside Barrel; Front End
Picture (b&w) of a successful model built by a Mr. R. H. Procter with Southern Region variations
How to Mount the Boiler
Hints on Driving and Firing
Epilogue on the "Owl"
Last page: a picture and article on a variation of the "Bat" locomotive, where an 0 gauge locomotive along Great Western Railway lines has been produced and called 'The Little "County"'. Differences for this engine are that it has a longer wheelbase and a correspondingly larger boiler





























































Lawrence, L.B.S.C. "Curly", 'Southern "Girton" in Gauge 1', published in 2010 as a facsimile reprint by TEE publishing, 28pp, no ISBN. Condition: very good. Price: £4.00, not including post and packing
2010, TEE Publishing reprint, pbk
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  • Southern "Girton" in Gauge 1 [top]
    First published in 'Mechanics' magazine in 1949 in a series of monthly articles
    Reprinted in 2010 in Great Britain in paperback (staple binding) by TEE Publishing, 28pp, no ISBN
    Includes

About this book: This staple-bound booklet is a photostat facsimile of the constructional articles on LBSC's How To Build "Girton" A Schools Class Locomotive For Gauge 1. This gauge 1 model was designed by LBSC and is a scaled down version of a 3.5" gauge 4-4-0 locomotive called 'Roedean' also by LBSC. It is designed with 2 outside, double-acting cylinders; the valves being driven by inside eccentrics. Reversing is achieved with slip eccentrics to minimise valve gear and reduce the number of controls needed in the cab. The boiler is spirit fired with water tubes and a blower valve. The 6-wheeled tender is designed to hold a spirit tank with feed system, and a water tank with hand pump to fill the boiler under pressure. It's primarily intended for an indoor "scenic" railway, but is quite powerful enough to pull a small child continuously.

Steel frames are used, brazed into slots in angle buffer and drag beams, and the bogie bolster can also be brazed; a riveted-in rod stay forms additional support ahead of the driving axle. The bogie has plain bushed bearings and is centre-sprung. No hornblocks are needed, the axleboxes working in the frame slots. Two outside cylinders only are provided, with slide valves operated by loose eccentrics through rocking levers; the outer arms of these are located in the same position as the expansion links of the 3.5 inch gauge engine's Walschaerts gear, and these oscillate when the engine is running, giving casual observers the impression of the expansion link in action. This is further heightened by the valve rod, which looks like a Walschaert radius rod. Full Walschaert gear could of course be fitted, but the trouble is that heavy wear occurs on parts that are small and flimsy and to make the loose eccentric gear sturdy enough is to make it look ugly and cumbersome (even if it gives a better steam distribution). It is the only gear which gives equal port openings at both ends of the cylinder in either direction.

The boiler is of the water-tube pattern, fired by a spirit lamp, the burners getting their supply from a sump under the tender, which is automatically kept at a constant level from the tank above. There is no need for an eccentric-driven pump to be fitted; a few strokes of the tender hand-pump ever few minutes is sufficient to maintain the water level. All the fittings and machining operations are carried out as described for the "Roedean" engine already covered in 'Mechanics' magazine.

Note to potential builders of this loco: In the original 'GIRTON' articles, LBSC did not describe the cylinders or steam chest. GIRTON is a 1/2 size copy of the more popular Roedean 3.5 gauge engine; therefore TEE Publishing has included a supplement of the Roedean build details from page 20 onwards for these items where the reader/builder will need to half the measurements in order to build the required parts for 'GIRTON'.

Lawrence, 'Curly'; 'LBSC' Footplate Experiences. Reminiscences at New Cross, published in 1996 in Great Britain in paperback, 96pp, ISBN 9780853614982. Condition: very good, well looked-after with just a very light touch of wear to the cover edges and corners. Price: £7.00, not including post and packing, which is Amazon UK's standard charge (currently £2.80 for UK buyers and more for overseas customers)
1996, The Oakwood Press, pbk
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About this book/synopsis: This book is an illustrated compilation of the series of articles Curly Lawrence wrote about the LB&SC (the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway). The editor Klaus Marx comments in the Acknowledgements section that he had to change precious little of Lawrence's text, but undertook to introduce Chapter Headings to divide the book up. This was not an easy task because Curly had not particularly organised his reminiscences, but rather had written them as varying and divulging anecdotes and experiences.

An easier task was to illustrate the book with pictures of all the locomotives mentioned in Curly's memoirs, and of those which fall in the period 1898-1904 when he worked first as a cleaner and then as a fireman at the New Cross locomotive shed. These latter locomotives have been illustrated with hitherto unpublished photographs from the collection of John Minnis. Most of the illustrations come from two famous LB&SC collections - 1) those of Maurice Bennett, taken personally with his brother Walter in the period between the turn of the century and the start of World War I, and today part of the archives of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society; and 2) those of John L. Smith, whose comprehensive collection of Brighton locomotive pictures includes the work of distinguished photographers, such as O. J. Morris. The two sharp reproductions of the 3.5 inch gauge Grosvenor and Mona (both built by Curly) were taken by Lorna Minton during one of the frequent visits her father used to make to the Purley Oaks Light Railway.

Contents:
Acknowledgements
Preface - Meeting the Author
'Curly' Lawrence - some biographical notes
New Cross Depot
Chapters:
1. Learning the LBSC 'Family' Trade
2. Shed Life at New Cross and Never a Dull Moment
3. Incidents on Shed and Misfortunes Never Come Singly
4. A Locospotter's Lucky Day and a Blessing in Disguise
5. Soft Soap and a Cocky Driver Deflated
6. Footplate Life and All the Tricks of the Trade
7. Timekeeping Problems
8. Bob Billinton's 'Grasshoppers' and Some Free Dinners
9. The Coal Premium List and the Sad Case of 'Nuts'
10. The 'Influence of Drink'
11. The 'Linger and Die' Route
12. From Wimbledon to Woppleton and Back from Singleton
13. A Dirty Trick and Some Strange Trips
14. A Dangerous Dare and Billinton's 'Scotchmen' are Shown Up
15. The Stop-Watch Specialist is Taught A Lesson
16. Tommy, the Travelling Cat and an Introduction to Valve Movements
Appendix: Memories of the Bluebell Line

Illustrations (all black & white unless otherwise stated)
Title Page: Photo of Curly Lawrence
Bibliographic details page: B&W photo of the 3.5in. gauge LB&SCR 'Single' No. 326, Grosvenor, probably the proudest creation of Curly, seen standing just off the north curve of his outdoor circuit at Purley Oaks
p6. Photo of an invitation by Curly to K. Marx on 11th June, 1964
p6. Photo of the inside of Lawrence's workshop at his house in Purley. In the centre stands his smaller version of Grosvenor. The picture was presented to a compiler on his visit to Curly's house
p8. Top. Photo of 'Terrier' No. 39, Denmark, which was named after the Denmark Hill area in South London. No. 39 in this picture is at Battersea shed
p8. Bottom. Photo of the real Grosvenor at Hove, waiting to depart for London with a return working to Victoria in 1903
p12. Top. Photo of 'E4' class No. 473, Birch Grove (named after a hamlet and mansion near Horsted Keynes and today (2015) preserved at the Bluebell Railway is prepared for duty outside the Middle Shed at New Cross early in the 20th Century. Behind No. 473 in the shed doorway is 'E3' class No. 456 Aldingbourne
p12. Bottom. Curly's idea of a 'super' Billinton radial tank, No. 99 Mona stands outside his locomotive shed. Mona was a simple 3.5 inc gauge 0-6-2T with Hackworth valve gear. In the background, just about visible, is the embankment of the London - Brighton mainline
p16. Map of New Cross Gate station as it was in 1896, reproduced from the 25" Ordnance Survey Map. Already at this time, the lower level station next to North Road is marked as disused. Visible on the map (annotated by Peter Winding) are the engine sheds, coal stage, carriage and wagon ship, fitter's shop, Hart's Lane, loco hoist, part shop and the Rooter Roundhouse
p17. Photograph taken by Dr. A. C. Hovenden, one of a series taken at New Cross shed on 14th September, 1901, showing the Croydon shed exterior to advantage with its whitened wall and round-arched paned windows which make it look more like a chapel than a railway building. It forms the backdrop to New Cross breakdown crane No. 316S, built in 1898 by Cowans of Sheldon, which stands in the old works yard. Behind can be seen the rest of the breakdown train, which consists of two very old converted Craven carriages between which is an open goods 'A' wagon showing a tarpaulin marked 'Loco Dept, New Cross'.
p18. Photo by Dr. A. C. Hovenden capturing the scene at 12.20 on 14th September 1901 at New Cross Gate shed. The clock on the shed wall stands at a central viewpoint for all three sheds and is attached by some fancy ironwork tracery brackets. It is thought that the bowler-hatted gentleman under the clock is the shed foreman talking to a member of staff. In the middle distance on the left, an engineman wistfully watches colleagues going off duty passing the east side of the fitters' shop. Two Gladstones and a radial tank stand alongside and in front of the Middle Shed whilst a domeless SER 4-4-0 pulls out of New Cross Station heading towards London Bridge Station with two carriages visible behind it
p19. Top. A photo by Dr. A. C. Hovenden, which captures a variety of locomotives standing outside the New and Middle Sheds, including Billinton 'B2' 4-4-0s, 'D' class 0-4-2Ts and a radial tank. The 'gaffer' is quite clearly occupied staring off left to something demanding his attention where the coal siding and stack are located
p19. Bottom. The turntable - Dr. Hovenden moved on to capture this, which was sited at the north end of the New Shed. In this picture, 'D3' class 0-4-4T No. 389 Shoreham of Tunbridge Wells is about to be turned for its return journey to Kent. The East London line is on the left of the picture, and the East London Up Junction signal box (1876) is visible just behind a solitary coach
p20. A much closer photographic view of the New and Middle Sheds, revealing 'D3' class No. 396 Clayton (as yet unrebuilt) standing by the coaling stage. Coaling was achieved using the crane and the wagons on the extreme left of the scene. Also visible are a relatively new class 'E5' (thought to be No. 568 Carisbrooke which was one of several in the class temporarily converted by Marsh to a 2-4-2T) and in the road adjacent to that is 'E1' class 0-6-0T No. 151 Helvetia and 'D3' class No. 373 Billingshurst (all of these are New Cross-based engines) and in the far road is 'B2' class 4-4-0 No. 322 G. P. Bidder, which was visiting from Portsmouth Shed. The forge and lean-to are visible at the side of the Middle Shed
p21. Clearly a sunny day at around midday, and probably a Sunday given the number of engines on shed, things are clearly quiet outside the Middle Shed in this photograph. On the left stands 'E5' class 0-6-2T No. 587 (formerly Brighton), which was based at the shed of that name but is strictly 'Not to Be Moved'. 2nd loco from the left - Marsh 'C3' class 0-6-0 No. 304 joined the New Cross allocation on 3rd July, 1906; next on the right of that is class 'D3X' No. 396 looking good as new. On the far right is 'E3' class 0-6-2T No. 456 (formerly Aldingbourne), also a New Cross engine. A nice addition to the scene are the two cleaner boys in the middle distance looking towards the photographer
p22. Photograph of the old Croydon Shed prior to demolition. The scene was taken in June 1947 from the confines of the old paint shop. Straight ahead is the Middle Shed and beyond it to its right is the New Cross Yard signal box
p23. Top. 4th March, 1939: Photograph of the 'Rooter Roundhouse', which was originally built for 'Terriers' in the early 1870s. Standing just outside and clearly in steam is 'D1' class 0-4-2T No. 2357 (old Riddlesdown', which has found a quiet corner to lay up for a while. This class of loco would never have used this roundhouse because the small central turntable was only able to accommodate a small 'Terrier'. The roof is missing all its slates and some of its timbers
p23. Bottom. Taken from a different angle and around 9 years later, this photograph again shows the 'Rooter Roundhouse' but looking straight towards the station master's house with the old erecting shop and former timber store on the right; whilst on the left is the old Croydon Shed and in the centre, locomotives stand under the engine hoist
p24. An atmospheric photograph taken in 1947 with the sun streaming through the doors of the wagon workshop in the rear of the picture casting a crank axle and shaft of a driving wheel into shadow in the foreground of the picture. In the very foreground can be seen the perimeter of the wagon turntable
p26. LB&SCR notice of 1st January 1898 showing terms of service for enginemen and firemen; issued under R. J. Billinton. It sets out 1. Time; 2. Overtime; 3. Sunday Duty; 4. Shed Duty; 5. Time Off Duty; 6. Wages; 7. Lodging Allowance; 8. Promotion; 9. Suspension from Duty; 10. Clothing; 11. Leaving the Service; 12. Premiums and Benefits
p28. Top. Photograph of the 7 strong clearn gang at New Cross in 1898. Curly treasured this photo his entire life. 'Terrier' No. 52 Surrey was the shed pilot at the time and, according to D. L. Bradley, seldom ventured further afield because it was in poor mechanical condition. Surrey's Stroudley Gamboge livery contrasts with the green of the 'C2' class 0-6-0 next in line
p28. Bottom. 'Terrier' 0-6-0T Stepney, of Thomas the Tank Engine fame (Stepney, The Blue Bell Engine), is shown here in this photograph taking on coal by the stage at New Cross in 1903. This was taken not long after the engine had been renumbered to 655
p29. Top. Photograph of 'Gladstone' class 0-4-2 No. 184 Carew D. Gilbert, an Eastbourne engine standing at its home station. The engine was later renamed Stroudley
p29. Bottom. Sister engine to Carew D. Gilbert, 'Gladstone' class No. 195 Cardew is shown in this photograph at Newhaven. Cardew was regularly employed on the night boat train known as the 'Grande Vitesse' service in the 1890s
p32. Top. Photograph of 'E3' class 'Radial' No. 166 Cliftonville in goods green livery paying a visit to Fratton shed in Portsmouth
p32. Bottom. No. 166, Cliftonville is seen here in this photograph shunting at Crowborough in 1921. Three years previously, the engine was involved in an accident at East Grinstead and as a result received a new 'I1' boiler and extended smokebox, which are visible here
p34. Full page photograph, side elevation of Stroudley 'D' tank No. 263 'Purley' standing out of use at West Croydon Shed. Its shed code at the side of the buffer beam is a New Cross engine
p38. Top and bottom. Photographs of 'E3' class 0-6-2T 453 Aldingbourne and 457 Watersfield standing between the Middle and the Croydon sheds
p40. Top. Photograph of 'D' class No. 239 Patcham posing with its crew at Portsmouth Harbour station in post-1902 condition after receiving a Billinton boiler
p40. Bottom. Photograph of 'E4' class No. 500 Puttenham receiving attention from its fireman whilst its driver maintains a vigilant watch on the platform side of the engine for the right-away to leave Hove
p43. Photograph of 'Terrier' class Whitechapel, No. 650, standing with its crew beside the arch-windowed wall of Croydon shed at New Cross whence it frequently travelled to its namesake on the East London Line (now London Overground) via the Thames Tunnel
p46. Photograph of Lawson Billinton's 'Baltic' 4-6-4T No.332 sprinting up Forest Hill Bank near Honor Oak Park in 1926 in charge of the down 'City Limited', which contains a single Pullman car in the middle of the formation
p48. Top. Photograph, side elevation, of 'E4' radial No. 506 Catherington standing on the New Cross turntable in 1903
p49. Bottom. Photograph, side elevation, of 'E1' class 0-6-0T No. 149 Lucerne standing in the sunshine outside Brighton Paint Shops in 1909, as indicated by its newly conditioned wheels and coupling rods. The tired and worn condition of its smokebox and chimney bear witness to its having been stored outdoors at Horsted Keynes
p50. Photograph of Billinton 'Grasshopper' 4-4-0 No. 203 Henry Fletcher entering Ashstead LSWR (London and South Western Railway) station on the section between Leatherhead and Epsom over which the LB&SCR had running powers
p52. Top. Photograph of the unique 'B3' class representative No. 213 Bessemer passing Balham Intermediate signal box leading a train of 16 vehicles, mainly made up of Stroudley vintage including the old Brighton luggage van at the front - most likely on a holiday or excursion special given the double diamond disc on the front. Bessmer is unique because it emerged from Brighton works in January 1898 and was a 'B2' to all intents and purposes, but with a much larger boiler. When Earle Marsh became locomotive superintendent, he reclassified it as B3
p52. Bottom. Photograph of Bessemer emerging from Lewes Tunnel with the 'Continental Express'. Bessemer had been converted to a Class 'B2X' fitted with a Marsh 'C3' boiler in November 1908
p53. Top. Photograph, side and front elevation of 'Gladstone' class 0-4-2 No. 187 Philip Rose resting in the centre road at East Croydon. Many Gladstones were named after the company's directors
p53. Bottom. Record breaking 'Scotchman' No. 70, Holyrood, stands at the north end of East Croydon station. This class of engine were called 'Scotchman' because they were built in Scotland by Sharp, Stewart & Co. Holyrood broke records on 26th July 1903 running from Victoria to Brighton in 48 minutes, 41 seconds, averaging 63.4mph
p55. 'B4' class 4-4-0 No. 70 Devonshire at Eastbourne in a side and front elevation photograph. Looking shiny and new, the crew are attending to the engine prior to departure
p56. Full page photograph of 'D' tank No. 235 Broadwater in a side and front elevation with the crew posing on and next to the footplate for the photograph. Here it is seen ready for the return trip from Portsmouth Harbour via the Mid-Sussex line. There is blistered paintwork on the chimney and smokebox
p59. Photograph from the postcard invitation shown on page 6, which had been sent to K. Marx inviting him to Curly's house in Purley. The photo shows Stroudley class 'D' 0-4-2T No. 351 Chailey on a local train heading towards the camera
P60. Photograph showing the side and front elevation of 'Single' No. 348 Lullington taken outside the shed entrance at Littlehampton having just worked a Sunday School excursion. On the front of the locomotive, the headcode is a 'collar' in front of the chimney which denotes working via the Quarry line and 'double diamonds' showing that it was a special. The white and 'hot cross bun' discs denote London Bridge to Littlehampton. The disconnected loose Westinghouse hose at the front indicates that it has already towed out another lot of empty stock meaning that No. 348 must have been out on the first of more than one 'Treat' special
p63. Photograph showing the side and front elevation of Billinton class 'C2' 'Vulcan' 0-6-0 No. 555 on Newhaven Shed, which is receiving a final oil up prior to departure with one of the many well loaded goods workings out of the docks
p64. Photograph, side elevation of Stroudley 'G' class 'Single' No. 337 Yarmouth built in 1881, receiving last minute attention from its crew in Eastbourne Station prior to its departure. Captured some time in 1903
p67. Photograph of No. 388 climbing the 1 in 90 gradient south of Dorking station with a heavy train of coaches and horse boxes at the rear. It may have been one of the horse and hound 'Hunt Specials' which the LB&SCR ran in pre-1914 days. Note that 388 no longer has its name and is in Marsh livery
p68. Top. Photograph, side elevation, of Robert Billinton's 'Bogie Tank' Farlington, No. 382, standing at New Cross Shed with driver William Armes (right) on the track beside the bunker with his fireman
p68. Bottom. Side and front elevation photograph of No. 388 Emsworth (see also page 66), which is from the same depot as Farlington. No. 388 is out on a duty from Hove
p70. Top. Photograph, front and side elevation, of class 'B4' 4-4-0 No. 60 Kimberley waiting at Singleton in 1909 with the return Royal Train bringing King Edward VII back from a day out at Goodwood Races. The front three coaches can be seen behind the engine
p70. Bottom. Taken outside Littlehampton Shed in 1901, this photograph shows a gleamingly clean 'G' class 2-2-2 No. 350, Southbourne after working a special from London
p72. Photograph showing a Stroudley 'D' Tank, Ditchling, a New Cross engine making a stop at Forest Hill station (SE23), South East London with a London Bridge-bound local. The track ballasted over the sleepers dates the photograph to pre-1900
p74. Top. 'Terrier' No. 49 Bishopsgate stands at New Cross with Aspinall's Enamel Works (factory) showing to the rear of the locomotive in this photograph. Aspinall's features in many New Cross Shed photographs
p74. Bottom. Bishopsgate again, but now in the service of private owners Messrs Pauling & Co. (sold to them in 1902). This picture was taken early on a Sunday morning in 1903 at Northolt. The engine is now no. 79 with P & Co Ltd written on the side tank and '649' in gilt still on the bunker. Behind Bishopsgate is No. 56, Northolt, complete with separate brass number and name plates on the tank sides
p76. Top. A pre-1899 photograph showing a side elevation of 'E' tank No. 139 Lombardy, whose collision with Crowhurst is described in the adjoining photographs. The location is thought to be Battersea
p76. Bottom. Side and front elevation photograph of No. 224 Crowhurst of Battersea Shed pausing between the platforms at Victoria. The photograph shows an interesting episode in Victoria Station's life, that of the rebuilding work completed in 1908 - the photo shows the temporary roof and beams. No. 224 is in a poor state externally - the paintwork is flaking, peeling and possibly burned on the smokebox door, which demonstrates how hard life was on the London - Suburban services
p78. Top. 'D' tank No. 9 Anerley is photographed at New Cross Shed, where this engine was based, in 1901. The shedhand can be seen seated on the tool box at the rear of the bunker
p78. Bottom. Side and front elevation photograph of class 'E4' 0-6-2T No. 565 Littleton at Brighton shed, neatly framed right and left by two water columns which include an artistic shed lamp and bracket. This locomotive burned oil using the Bell and Holden injector system and began its working life on 1st May 1902. The oil tank can be seen on the bunker on the right of the photograph. The photograph shows the locomotive at its best - as nearly new. Given that the loco was converted to coal burning in August 1903, this photograph must have been taken in the first year and two to three months of the locomotive's life.
p80. Top. Photograph of Robert Billinton's 'B2' class 4-4-0 No. 206 Smeaton making its way towards the camera with a train of coaches having just passed Balham Intermediate box on its way through Tooting with a coastbound express. A clerestory Pullman car can be seen in the train
p80. Bottom. Smeaton is pictured here shunting stock in the centre road at Eastbourne Station
p82. Top. No. 56, Roberts (one of Robert Billinton's Scotchmen - named after a Boer War general) in a side view with the driver and fireman on the footplate, photographed on New Cross turntable in 1901, just after it had been built by Sharp, Stewart & Co (it had been delivered in July 1901)
p82. Middle. No. 52 Siemens, another of Billinton's Scotchmen is here photographed on the New Cross turntable. It was built at Brighton and was the first of its class to appear in 1899. It was allocated to Brighton shed
p82. Bottom. No. 52 Siemens was renamed Sussex in September 1908 and can be seen in this photograph just in front of the New Shed at New Cross
p83. Top. Photograph, front and side elevation of 'D' Tank No. 27 Uckfield inside the back of Brighton Works in April 1907, where it was in for a major repair, during which it would lose its name and gain the Marsh livery. It is likely that it would have been fitted with a new steel boiler at this time also since the Stroudley ones had been in use for a long time (some since 1873)
p83. Bottom. Well presented, probably official photograph of a shiny, posed, 'B4' 4-4-0 class No. 49 Queensland (a true 'Scotchman'). The photograph is believed to have been taken on the East side of the running lines opposite Lover's Walk in Brighton and may be from when the locomotive entered service in August 1901
p84. Top, photograph of 'G' class single No. 331, Fairlight, a 2-2-2 express locomotive heading a special to Hastings and approaching Wivelsfield Junction on a sunny winter day
p84. Bottom, photograph of No. 333 Ventnor heading to the coast having just exited the South portal of Clayton Tunnel with a special of 12 coaches on a clearly sunny day
p86. A side and front elevation photograph of 'Grasshopper' class No. 208 Abercorn in ex-Works condition raising steam in Brighton works yard in 1904. It still carries the post-1903 St. Leonards shedcode at the side of the buffer beam
p92. Bottom. Atmospheric photograph of No. 62 Martello outside New Cross Shed taken from a less usual vantage point enabling a glance round the corner of the shed foreman's office. Martello is in steam and the north frontage of the fitters' shop and behind it the smith and the site of the later carriage and wagon repair shop can be seen. An ancient vertical-boilered crane can be seen to the front and rear of Martello - it was used to assist at the coaling stage
94. Curly Lawrence lived to see the day when two of his old favourite locomotives made it into railway preservation. The photograph here shows Stepney and Birch Grove charging past crowds of spectators at Ardingly double-heading the 'Brighton Blue Belle' using the stock from the workmen's 'Lancing Belle' on 27th October 1963. The return journey that evening was the last official passenger journey over the Haywards Heath-Horsted Keynes branch before closure to traffic that same evening
p95. Top. Birch Grove and Stepney shunt a service train onto the East Grinstead spur at Horsted Keynes, which includes nearest the camera the recently arrived LB&SC Director's Inspection Saloon of 1914, during a 'Brighton Week' in September 1965
p95. Bottom. Photograph of Birch Grove (nearest the camera) showing the rear and left hand side of the locomotive. Stepney is coming towards the camera, shunting a single carriage up the Newick spur at Sheffield Park in July 1966

Evans, Martin (Ed.), 'LBSC's Shop, Shed and Road', published in 1969 by Model & Allied Publications in 1969 in hardback, 192pp. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon
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1979, Model and Allied Publications, pbk
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  • LBSC's Shop, Shed and Road [top]
    First published in 1929 in Great Britain
    First published in August 1950 as The Live Steam Book
    Revised and Reprinted in October 1954

    1969 & Later Editions Edited by Martin Evans:
    Revised and Reprinted under the Original title of 'Shop, Shed and Road' in New de Luxe Edition in 1969. Original UK retail price for this edition: 42/- (42 shillings)
    Reprinted in 1974 in hardback
    Reprinted in 1979 in paperback, 192pp, ISBN 0852427085. Original UK retail price when first sold: £4.25

Contents: The book brings together "Curly" Lawrence's (pen name LBSC) useful advice, hints and tips (he used to submit articles to Model Engineer in the 1920s) on all aspects of model locomotive engineering as originally published in 1929. The 1969 and later editions (edited by Martin Evans) include many illustrations and drawings of "Curly" Lawrence's locomotives; and these have been redrawn and relettered with a larger print size chosen. A new selection of illustrations attempt to portray examples of as many of LBSC's locomotives as could possibly be found at the time it was republished in 1969; new chapters have also been added.

Chapters:
1. Miniature Injectors & Accessories
Injectors are quite reliable; How to Make the Injector Body; Valve Box; Assembly; Vital Points; Cone Reamers; Cutting Edges; Steam Cone; Combining Comb; Delivery Cone; How to Assemble; How to Fit the Injector; Fitting Pipework; Injector Water-Valve; General Remarks; Simple Clack Box Without Union; Finishing and Fitting Up; Top Feeds; Injector Steam Valve
2. Hand and Axle-Driven Pumps
Fitting Pump for Top Feeds; Piping Up; Pump for 3.5 inch gauge "Atlantic"; Inside Cylinder Engine Pumps; More Pump Variations; Where Space is Limited; Tender Hand Pump; Treblet Tube; The Ram; Lever and Links; Installing the Pump; Feed Water Strainers; Stroudley-Type Crosshead Pumps; "Two Hour" Tender Pumps; Valves and Seatings; Assembly; Pump By-Pass for Fine Regulation; "0" Gauge Tender Pump; Pump for "Vanderbilt" Tender; Stand and Barrel; Valve Box and Valves; Lever, Links and Assembly
3. Duplex Double Acting Feed Pumps
How to Build Up the Cylinders; Port Block for Duplex Pump; The Top Covers for Donkey Pump Cylinders; Pistons, Piston-Rods and Trip-Rods; Steam-Chest; Steam-Chest Glands; Valves and Valve-Rods; Rockers for Donkey Pump; Distance-Pieces for Duplex Pump; Pump Cylinders, "Solid" Pattern; Pump Cylinders, "Regulation" Pattern; Pipe Connections; Pump Pistons; Making the Valve Box; The Final Touches; Lubricator and Delivery Clack; Steam Valve for Donkey Pump; Valve Box for Double-Acting Pump
4. Water Gauges
Bottom Fitting; Gauge-Glass Protector; Water Columns and "Reflex" Gauges
5. Whistles
A Single-Note Tube Whistle; Tuning Up; Finishing the Whistle; Combined Turret and Whistle Valve; A Two-Note Chime Whistle; Tuning Up the Whistle; Three Notes; A Cheap Chime Whistle; Extra Deep-Tone Whistle; How to Make the Whistle;How to Erect the Whistle
6. Safety-valves, relief valves and snifting valves
Safetly-Valve and Casing: Safety Valves for Gauge "0" Locomotives; Automatic Cocks or Relief Valves; Waterways and Valve Holes; Fitting Up and Adjusting; A "Wangle" for Inside Cylinders; Cylinder Drain Cocks; How to Make the Cocks; Operating Gear; Cab Lever; Snifting Valves; Where to Put the valves; Construction; Fitting Up; Maunsell Snifting Valve; How to Make the Maunsell Type; How to Connect Up;
7. Motion Work,The Baker Valve Gear; The Gear Assembly; How the Gear Operates; Neutral and Forward positons; The Gear in Reverse; Baker Gear for 3.5 in; Gear Frames; Front Backet; Rear Bracket; Erection; Reverse Yokes; Radius-Bars; Gear Connecting-Rod; Bell-Crank; How to Erect the Gears; Reverse Shaft; The Holcroft Valve Gear; How the Gear Works; How the Gear Was Made; Fitting Up Return or Eccentric Cranks
8. Miscellaneous Details
Screw and nut; Lever and Reach-Rod; Centre-Pivoted Reverser; Simple Disc Regulator; Port Face and Valve; Gland and Rod; Assembling and Fitting Up; Cool Handles; A Regulator Extension Handle; Brakes for 2.5 in Gauge Engines; Combined Hand and Power Operation; Tender Brake for 5 in. gauge; brake shaft; brake nut and bracelets; How to Erect Brake-Shaft; Pull-Rods; Sand-valves; A Working Steam Sander; The Sand-Trap; The Steam Jets; Assembly; Steam Connections; Boiler lagging on Small Engines; A Two-Element Superheater; How to Make up the Elements; Wet Header; Hot Header or Tee fitting; Snifting Valve; Combined blastpipe and blower nozzle; Superheater for Three-Cylinder; Superheater for Three-Cylinder Engine; Steam Flange and Wet Header; Hot Header and Distribution Pipes; Simple Superheater and Blower Ring; Blower Valves; Oval Buffers for 2.5 in Gauge Engines; Screw Couplings for 3.5 in gauge; Brake Pipes; Lamps for 2.5 in Gauge Engines; Pipe Couplings which Cause Derailments; Arrangements which will give Flexibility; A Flexible Coupling Hose
9. Mechanical Lubricators
Oil tank; Stand for Oil Pump; Pump Cylinder; Bottom Check Valve; Assembly and Erection; A V-Twin Mechanical Lubricator for 3-Cylinder Engines; Oil Tank; Bearing Spindle and Crank; Check Valves or Clacks; Assembly; Ratchet Gear and Erection
10. Further Thoughts on Valves
Just Like the Kitchen Tap!; Flanged Valve; Large Valve with Small Spindle; Water-Gauge Blowdown; Boiler Blowdown valve; "Everlasting" Blowdown Valve; Valve Body; Valve and Arm; Lever and Post or Spindle
11. North-Eastern Compounds
Starting from Cold;
12. Mini-Steam Engines.

Includes 8 pages at the back listing the locomotives that LBSC built and what sheets of plans go with each locomotive

List of Plates [list taken from the 1979 paperback edition]:
1. Curly's 3.5 in gauge 2-2-2 locomotive and tender standing by the full-size ex-L.B.S.C.R signal presented to him by old railwaymen
2. A 3.5 in gauge L.B.S.C.R. single-wheeler, which was LBSC's favourite engine
3. LBSC's free-lance 2.5 in. gauge 4-12-2 called Caterpillar. Had 3 cylinders and a 100lb boiler. Bottom picture: Tishy - a rebuild from a commercial L.N.E.R. Pacific
4. Top picture: Cab view of Curly's 2-2-2 Grosvenor. Bottom picture: A 3.5 in gauge Princess Marina built by Mr. J. T. Brandrick of Birmingham, M.E.S.
5. Top picture: A Britannia built by Mr. D. H. Jennings of Neath. Bottom picture: LBSC's own version of Tich shown fitted with outside Stephenson valve gear
6. Top picture: Tugboat Annie, a 4-6-2 Southern Region engine was the first to be fitted with Holcroft valve gear. Bottom picture: Cock o' the North, is another engine (2-8-2) rebuilt by LBSC for 2.5 in gauge
7. LBSC's Flying Horse, a 2-2-2 Eastern Counties engine
8. Top picture: The original coal-fired Atlantic, 2.5 in gauge, called Ayesha. She was forecast to need continual repairs, but this proved to be vastly incorrect. Middle picture: A 5 in. gauge Pannier in London Transport livery built by Mr. E. A. Allchin and based on LBSC's Pansy. The engine won the LBSC Memorial Cup at the 1968 exhibition. Bottom picture: 5 in. gauge Speedy, built by Mr. T. Prime
9. Top picture: Mr. W. Fry of Reading with his 3.5 in. gauge Doris. Photo by C. A. Bealing. Bottom picture: A 3.5 in. gauge Juliet shown at the M. E. Exhibition (shortly before 1969, when the first Martin Evans edition was published). Maker of engine unknown
10. LBSC's 0-6-2 tank engine, Mona, photo by Lorna Minton
11. Top picture: Another view of Tugboat Annie, the 4-cylinder pacific with Holcroft gear. Bottom picture: Evening Star, in 3.5 in gauge, was one of Curly's last designs. This particular engine shown was built by Mr. R. H. Procter. Photograph by Lorna M. Minton
12. Views of LBSC's workshop: The Milne Lathe; Vertical Miller and stocks of materials; The Myford Super 7 with accessories at the rear; and the Boley Precision Lathe
13. Top picture: Cab fittings of LBSC's "single", Rola. Bottom picture: Betty, a 2-6-2 based on an imaginary design for the Southern Railway
14. Top picture: Mr. F. Few's 3.5 in. gauge Lion, based on LBSC's Titfield Thunderbolt design. Bottom picture: Curly's outside-framed G.W.R. 4-4-0 Dilys
15. Curly's Rola - a free-lance "single" with disc wheels
16. Top picture: Another view of Curly's 3.5 in. gauge Great Western Railway 4-4-0 based on the Dukedog class. Bottom picture: Fernanda, a free-lance 2.5 in. gauge "Pacific" with piston valves

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Contents: Maisie is a G.N.R. Atlantic in 3.5 in gauge, one-sixteenth of full size. The loco was designed by L.B.S.C for a friend, an official on the G.N.R and named after the official's daughter. This book describes in great detail how to build this very popular model. [Image of book ]
Author: L.B.S.C., a.k.a. "Curly". Title: Mona, A Simple 0-6-2 tank engine, published by Model & Allied Publications, specialist booklet No. 3, 80 pages. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon, or try one of the other retailers below
Undated, M.A.P
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Contents: This book tells the model engineer in great detail with the assistance of great amounts of technical data and diagrams how to build a simple 0-6-2 tank inside cylinder tank engine based on a London, Chatham and Dover Railway locomotive in 3.5 inch and 1.75 inch gauges from a series which appeared in model maker

L.B.S.C. 'Princess Marina:LMS 2-6-0 Mogul Locomotive in 3.5 in gauge from a series which appeared in Mechanics. Published in 1980 by Model & Allied Publications, in paperback, ISBN 085242227X. Price:£16.25, not including p&p, which is Amazon's standard charge (currently £2.75 for UK buyers and more for overseas customers)
1980, M.A.P
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Contents: L.B.S.C drew up the plans for this locomotive in response to demand from readers for a locomotive a bit bigger than 2.5 in gauge, but not too complicated to build, also to be within the capacity of the lathe, tools and other equipment usually to be found in the workshop of a 2.5 in gauge locomotive builder. The 2-6-0 mixed traffic engines of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway, of the pattern designed by Sir William Stanier, seemed to fit the bill. The engine this book builds is a plain two-cylinder engine of sturdy construction without any frills or complications. The frames are easily cut out, though deep, stiff and heavy and are mostly straight-line work. The horns and axle boxes present no more difficulty than those of the average 2.5 in gauger. The pony truck is also simple: the suspension is not a copy of the full-sized engine, but a simplified arrangement.

L.B.S.C. 'Speedy Great Western 0-6-0 Tank Engine: A Powerful 0-6-0T in 5 in. gauge', published in 1979 by Model & Allied Publications (Argus Books), paperback, 64pp, ISBN 0852425384. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this book on Amazon
1979, Model & Allied Publications
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L.B.S.C. 'Speedy Great Western 0-6-0 Tank Engine: A Powerful 0-6-0T in 5 in. gauge', published in 1969 by MAP Technical (Model and Allied Publications), paperback, 57pp, No ISBN 0852425384. Good, but vintage condition with some dusty-dirtiness to the front cover and some patches of fading to the internal pages (no loss of text or readability. Price: £12.99, not including post and packing, which is Amazon UK's standard charge (currently £2.80 for UK buyers, more for overseas customers)1969, MAP Technical, pbk

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Contents: This book shows the reader how to build LBSC's 0-6-0 five inch gauge Tank locomotive Speedy, which was a design produced at the very height of the author's inventive powers at the end of the forties. A number of examples were recorded as having notched up over 20 years of satisfactory running under amateur drivers on club tracks (not the most forgiving of circumstances). Speedy was one of the only three 5 inch locos designed as such from start to finish by LBSC (Curly Lawrence). Illustrations in the text of the book can be followed by builders of "Speedy", but it is recommended tha tthe reader buy the full-size working drawings of this loco, which passed to model engineer specialist Reeves of Birmingham. Reeves can also provide the necessary castings.

Contents: Frame and Running Gear; Axleboxes, Wheels and Axles; Coupling Rods; Boiler Feed Pump; Cylinders; Crossheads; Connecting Rods; Valve Gear; Valve Fork or Crosshead; Combination Lever; Union Link; Gear Frame; How to Erect the Gear Frames; Expansion Links; Radius Rods; Return Cranks; Reverse Shaft; How to Assemble the Valve Gear; How to Set the Return Cranks; Eccentric Rods; Reversing Lever; Stand and Sector Plate; Bracket and Fulcrum Pin; Locking Gear; How to Erect the Lever; Reversing Rod; How to Set the Valves; Cylinder Drain Cocks; Operating Gear; Cab Lever; Mechanical Lubricator; How to Erect the Lubricator; Exhaust Pipes and Blast Pipes; Combined Blast Nozzle and Blower; Buffers; Drawbars; Boiler; Boiler Barrel; Throatplate and Backhead; Firebox Wrapper Sheet; First Brazing Job; Inside Firebox; Smokebox Tubeplate; Tubes; First Stage of Assembly; Backhead and Foundation Ring; Final Brazing Job; Boiler Staying - Longitudinal Stays; Firebox Wrapper Stays; Firebox Stays; How to Sweat Over the Stay-Heads and Nuts; Smokebox; Ring and Door; Cross Bar and Dart; Chimney and Liner; Chimney; Smokebox Saddle; Regulator; Rod and Handle; How to Assemble the Regulator; Steam Pipe and Front End Fitting; Use 1 inch Rod; Superheater; Wet Header; Hot Header; Assembly and Erection; Boiler Fittings; Safety Valve; Snifting Valve; Injector Steam Valve; Blower Valve and Nipple; Combined Turret and Whistle Valve; Water Gauge; Steam Gauge Syphon; Check Valves or Clack Box; Washout Plug; Blowdown Valve; Firehole Door; Grate and Ashpan; How to Make the Grate; How to Make the Ashpan; How to Erect the Assembly; Boiler Erection; How to Connect the Steam Pipes; Oil Check Valve; Side Tanks; "Weldon" Patterns; Tank Ends and Backs; How to Erect the Tanks; Injector; Injector Body; How to Fit the Combining Cone; Stream and Delivery Cones; Delivery Check Valves; Fittings for Left-Hand Tank; Pump Connection; Top Feed Fittings; Auxiliary Check Valve for Pump; Final Connections; The First Run; Cab and Bunker; Footplate and Steps; Cab Details; Cab and Bunker Sides; Cab Back and Roof; Whistle; "Trimmings"; Brake Gear; Hangers, Brake Blocks and Brackets; How to Erect the Blocks and Hangers; Brake Rigging; Driver's BrakeValve; How to Erect The Valve

Sample page (pgs 8-9):

LBSC. 'Speedy. G.W. 0-6-0 Tank Engine, 5 in Gauge', pages 8-9

LBSC "Curly" Lawrence. 'LBSC's Famous 4-4-0 Virginia: Live Steam Locomotive Construction', published in 1975 in Great Britain by Model & Allied Publications in paperback, 190pp, ISBN 0852424116. Condition: poor or fair: pages have come away from binding and are loose from the cover. All pages are present and clean and tidy - copy is wholly readable and usable, just past its best. Price: £10.75, not including post and packing, which is Amazon's standard charge (£2.75 for UK buyers, more for overseas customers)
1975, Model & Allied Publications, pbk

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  • L.B.S.C's Famous 4-4-0 Virginia: Live Steam Locomotive Construction [top]
    First published in 1975 in Great Britain by Model & Allied Publications in paperback, 190pp, ISBN 0852424116. Original retail price: £3.95 net
    Book is packed full of scale diagrams and photographs
    Photographs of Vic Hotchkiss (Bracknell Railway Society) with his finished locomotive 'Vikki' of the 'Magna Charta Railroad' (on the tender!) in steam can be found on pages 110 - 111
    Model and Allied Publications published 7 sheets of drawings to aid the builder of this locomotive (L.O 95)

About this book/synopsis: This book was produced in answer to requests that LBSC should design a real pioneer days type locomotive redolent of cowboys and indians and the opening up of the West of the United States. His North American following should be well pleased with the result. The publishers feel that LBSC has truly captured the spirit of those times which, combined with somewhat more modern techniques where these seem indicated, enabling them to present this offering in the utmost confidence.

It should be noted that this engine is not simply a scaled-down version of the full-size engine - it's designed to look like the real thing (like a Baldwin, Rogers, Hinkley, Grant or other locomotive builder's product), but be simple to produce with the least trouble and provide efficient service performing in the manner expected of it. LBSC has also made sure to consider those users who are tackling their first engine and who may have the minimum of workshop equipment or lathes handy for such tasks. Virginia can be built by the aid of a lathe of not less than 3 inches centres, or 6 inches swing as it would be termed in the United States - a small drilling machine is also neede and the usual assortment of hand tools found in an amateur's workshop. The fewer facilities, the longer the job and the more patience will be required, but as LBSC himself said, the job can be done.

Engines like Virginia were coal burners, hence the smokestack. The engine can be changed to represent an earlier wood-burner locomotive by changing the chimney to a balloon stack (drawing included later in the book for this).

Chapters:
1. Introducing Virginia
2. Equalised springing: Alternative Methods
3. Making and fitting the eccentrics, coupling rods and the leading four-wheel truck
4. How "period" cylinders can be made to operate with modern efficiency
5. The guide bars, crossheads, main rods, and combined guide yoke and pump bracket
6. Boiler feed-pump
7. Link Motion-American style
8. Instructions for fitting modern Walschaert's valve gear to the ancient "tea kettle"
9. Steam and exhaust pipes and a modern lubricator
10. Reversing gear
11. Wagon-top boiler
12. An alternative design of boiler
13. Staying the boiler
14. Smoke boxes
15. Superheater and throttle
16. Cab fittings
17. Boiler fittings, grate and ashpan
18. Erecting boilers and fitting pipework
19. The Cab
20. American Accessories
21. First Trial Run
22. Building the tender: tender tank and an alternative tender
23. Construction and erection of tender trucks
24. Brake gear and final embellishments

 
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