LNWR Webb Coal Tank 0-6-2T No. 1054, Bachmann DCC fitted & Detailed

The London and North Western Railway's "Coal Tank" as designed by Francis Webb is a triumph of late 19th century design and engineering, a truly understated and unpretentious locomotive that is at once both a workhorse and a time machine. Bachmann captured the essence of this machine wonderfully, and No.1054 looks terrific in its plain black livery. The plain scheme really makes the smaller details, like handrails, smokebox lubricators, and smokebox door handle pop, adding a lot of interest. The prototype's cylinder head lubricators are accommodated by the front frames with a gap between the cylinders and the buffer beam, and this unique setup is also particularly charming.

There wasn't much I needed to do to this model. I fit a Next18 decoder for DCC operations, the detailing packs Bachmann provided which included very nice etched brass name plates, and also added a headcode lamp for an extra touch.

No. 1054 is the only preserved member of the class, and is still operational today at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire.