Although I have been interested in steam locomotives since I was a youngster, it was only about 20 years ago that the thought of building my own locomotives was influenced by a  friend.

Then the thought of building a proper locomotive was discussed. The acquisition of a box of castings, frame steel and drawing which came available at the right price, this brought forth my first 3 1/2" gauge loco.

This loco and tender is a Derby '4F' design, many were to be seen on the local tracks hauling both passenger and freight ( coal ) trains. It took me about 5 years to get the loco steaming and another 2 years to get round to painting it. Not in the  black livery of LMS/BR days but in Crimson Lake, the colour of the old Midland  Railway which owned the local tracks in the pre-grouping days.

About 15 years ago, this 'friend' of mine persuaded me to start on a larger project   ( as in cost / size / time ) this time a traction engine. A number of us locally thought that the "small Ruston and Procter light tractor" would be an ideal subject for construction, each building their own tractor and helping each other with the project.

In the end every one has done their own building and all are at different stages of construction.