Reply To: Who Built This Loco?

Hello Stuart, at which expo (north or south) did you obtain the loco? My initial thoughts would lean towards one of the Manchester MRS EM pioneers, such as Sid Stubbs or Norman Whitnall. Sid is less likely as he specialised in pre-grouping MR locos and built many of his locos (in their entirety, including wheels and motors) from scratch. Looking at your photos, I wonder(from the pickup arrangement visible) if this is a split-frame chassis? If so, the way in which the split frames and the half-axles are insulated might provide a clue. From the Romford motor and Hamblings(?) wheels, I would date it as middle 1950s/early 60s. Hamblings wheels went largely out of fashion after Romford drivers came on the market, although I continued to use their axles and wheel press to rewheel Triang motor bogies in the late 60s.
I have something nagging me at the back of my brain that the loco looks familiar from long ago; I will try to remember why.
Regards
Richard Syms