Thankyou, Tag, I have met Tom Cooper and I have two of his locos which run well-one with much work (Your help Tag) and one with none. These locos have been in my possession for 17 and 13 yrs respectively. Tom can be a little "abrasive" but he has done much for the hobby as far as I am concerned. He has been maligned many times and it's a dam shame. His accomplishmentys far out weigh his faults. Incidentally I have never seen a paint job as hardy as Tom's. The Merlin Hunslet, as far as pulling ability, and running time goes, is superb. From photos I have it is also very accurate to the prototype. The Matterhorn is a little low on pressure-(I could fix the burner--like a radiant one!) , however with RC, it has given me and the local kids much pleasure over the years.
Geoff. >Not really Gary. he does turn up at the llanfair show but he is really >looking quite ill and uncared for. I know that many people have strong >ideas about TC but this man introduced me and many others to the joys of >live steam garden railways. I still think that "Steamlines" was an >excellent and much enjoyed magazine which unfortunately never could >actually get out on time but whiched was full of enthusiasm. Tom Cooper >kickstarted live steam narrow gauge into the mainstream and in process >provided much pleasure for many people. I know of course that Tom made >many mistakes and some of the locomotives were certainly not "as sure as >sunrise", but it should be remembered that he and the other pioneers of >affordable live steam were going into uncharted waters. > > I don't know what Colin is doing today. >-- > >Yours Aye > >Tag Gorton > >Longlands & Western Railway >Trematon Office >Cornwall >
