Page 26 - November December 2013

Although I’ve been told by a good source close to Athearn that the company will release an accurate plastic model of the C­40­ 3 in the next couple of years, it still niggles me that my layout has an over­balance of C­30­1 cabooses in the short­to­medium term. Brass C­40­3 cabooses are expensive to purchase, even from US eBay, so you can imagine my surprise when I recently spotted a C­40­3 on UK eBay being offered by a seller living in London: Balboa SP (Southern Pacific) ‘C­40’ steel caboose painted and lettered. Be still, my beating heart . . .
Although the item advertised was factory­painted to represent a C­40­3 as it ran in service after July 1955, with orange ends and sans­serif lettering, I decided that, even in far sterner fiscal times, this was too good to miss: I had the paint, decals and reference material needed to turn it into an accurate C­40­3 to run on my 1954­era layout, should the model come my way. I made my punt, and was delighted to win SP 1178, for a complete price that would still have been appreciably higher had I captured a more frequently available US­located model.
I was then surprised to find that the vendor was none other than Rai Fenton who, with Tony Dunbar, was selling the caboose and some other models on behalf of the family of the late Paul Lacey, an NMRA(BR) member. Although I never met Paul, I think he’d be pleased that his caboose has found a new home, where it will be cherished. Indeed, when my prize arrived, there was a note attached from Tony and Rai that said:
SP1178 will run for a short period at the club, and once on the big Exeter­based RS Tower layout, in its present post­July 1955 condition, behind some suitable SP scarlet­and­grey power. In fact, there’s a particular RS11 road switcher I’m well acquainted with that’s already made friends.
Several robust Glaswegian swear words will be launched in the direction of anyone who observes too loudly (and correctly, I’m afraid) that, long before 1980, SP1178 would have received roof marker lights, an aerial and different lettering, plus having the cupola (and even perhaps the roof) walkway removed, but to use the more eloquent language of Clark Gable in the role of Rhett Butler, ‘Frankly, my dear . . .’
The caboose will then go through a “regressive renewal” procedure in the paint shop to join its C­40­3 stablemate on my 1954 layout. All it requires is a repaint and correct­era decals, as the roof walkways and oil­lamp markers are fully accurate for the 1954 time period. As well as enjoying the simple pleasure of ownership, it will be highly satisfying to see it bob along, either behind a tiger­stripe Baldwin AS­616­hauled local freight turn out of San Luis Obispo, or bringing up the markers of a long reefer block being pulled eastward by a Cab Forward. Happy days, indeed.
Obituary – Peter Legg (1953–2013)
In mid­October we received the sad news that Peter (Pete) Legg had passed away on 5 October after a very short illness.
Pete was a key member of the Bearwood Group. Within the group he was the great co­ordinator. He had directed our involvement in the 2011 Convention, our 2012 Open Day, and was just starting work on our 2014 Open Day. He had the happy knack of organising things in the friendly and informal way that has become the hallmark of our group. Just a smile and a little quip and everyone involved felt part of the team. It is a rare gift.
Pete’s long­time interest was Great Western steam, and this had started in childhood. His interest extended beyond railways too. He was a fan of Brunel and loved to visit the SS Great Britain. As a further steam interest he had in the past been editor of The Road Locomotive Society Journal. He joined the NMRA in 1998 and his railway knowledge soon expanded to take in modern American diesels.
Professionally, Pete was an insurance broker and was also chairman
of the Dorchester Business Improvement District. He was the
embodiment of the adage “If you want something done, find a
busy person,” and nothing ever seemed too much trouble for him.
Beyond his hobby and professional life, though, Pete was just a
really kind, family­orientated man. Both personally and within the group we feel we have lost a true friend and will really miss him.
Pete is survived by his wife Alison and daughter Zoe and we extend our deepest condolences to them both.
Photo taken by Iain Bell Tom Winlow
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