SIMPLEX.
Simplex is a freelance 0-6-0 tank in 5" gauge, by Martin Evans. It has become deservedly popular, and a large number have been built, often with styling changes that alter the appearance to some degree and add a touch of individuality.
Although some people suggest it as a beginners locomotive, I feel that there are other designs which are more suitable for the novice. Nevertheless, many people have successfully  built Simplex as their first effort.

There are few errors in the design or drawings, but the following points from Paul Ivinson may be helpful to other builders.

An observation about the buffer beam. Don't scale from the drawings for this item!

As drawn on sheet 1 the buffer beam is drawn 1/8" too short. At some point the dimensions have been corrected but the part wasn't redrawn. This isn't a problem as long as you only go by the written dimensions. (I didn't!). There are two places you may be caught out.

1) There are two brass angles (1" x 1/2" x 1/8") that are the mounts for the front (and rear) of the running board. These aren't dimensioned and simply scaling from the drawing means you will cut these 1/16" too short.

2) When finally marking up to position all the various angle brackets it is important to work from the centre. If you mark out by simply starting at one edge and work to the opposite side you'll be an 1/8" out if you use
distances scaled from the drawing.

2800 - 5 inch Swindon Locomotive Snags

Compiled by Bob Underwood

1, Reeves sold me the Torquay Manor Cylinders, the Cylinder and Pistons valves are too far apart.

2, Reeves sold me the Firefly coupled wheels with spokes each side of the crankpin instead of a spoke in line with the crankpin.

3, The boiler barrel should be at least 1/2 inch longer than shown. I made mine 1" longer to be safe.

4, The leading coupling rod boss fouls the valve rod.

5, The firebox stretcher fouls the eccentric straps. I made mine in two parts, upper as shown , the lower set back just high enough to support the firebox.

6, Do not drill the blowdown holes in the frame until the position is confirmed on the firebox.

7,Do not cut the curved slot in the reach rod until it and the support bracket have been assembled. Allow more metal than suggested to cut the slot.

8, The front Brake hangers are very tight to the cylinders.

9, The driving brake beam may foul the expansion link in full forward gear.

10. The Reeves wheels (for Firefly) have the crank pins in the wrong place. You can get the right castings from College Engineering

Summary
Swindon is an excellent design - free steaming , very powerful, lovely to drive and fun to make. Well done, Martin Evans!

For more information Visit 2807, the oldest 28xx and the holder of the record for the heaviest freight train pulled in 1905. 2807 is located at Toddington, on the Gloucester and Warwickshire railway. See www.gwr2807.co.uk

Swindon. (GWR 28xx). Martin Evans

1) The boiler and smoke box meet but do not overlap.
2) The coupling rod to the leading coupled wheel fouls the valve rod.
(from John Pagett.)

3. The wheels from Reeves have the crank pins in the wrong place.
College Engineering can supply the correct wheels. (From Bob Underwood).

SPRINGBOK. LNER 4-6-0 B1 in 5" gauge BY Martin Evans.
One correspondent tells me that the bogie frames are too short on the drawings. Worth checking before you cut metal.

Someone else (sorry, I forget who it was) said the following:
The boiler is pitched .375" too high, this makes the cab height out of scale. On the full size engine there is virtually no gap between the frame and boiler. The cab and running boards are approx .75" too wide as is the tender. I have seen one built using Martins drawings but scaled correctly, a big improvement on mine. Have no fear though, it is fairly easy to build and steams and pulls like a good'n. If you have an old set of drawings you may find a stretcher trying to fit between the frames where the middle tender wheelset sits. This corrected on later drawings.

Reg Rossiter says:
The cut outs in the main frames for the boiler blow downs need to be about 1/2" further up and about 1/8" further forward.
The reamed 3/16" hole near the front coupled wheel should be 7/32"
There are 2 different boiler drawings in circulation. The one you want has the girder stays on top of the fire box wrapper attaching to the outer shell of the boiler.
Check the thread sizes of the boiler fittings agree with the thread sizes for the boiler bushes.
The steam manifold is shown twice with discrepancies in the measurements.