Building a Clayton 2" Scale Steam Wagon
designed by Robin Dyer
built by Tony Simons
Introduction
When we moved house in 2010, It was a 'down size' and I decided I would build a model, as the workshop was much smaller, now a shed rather than half of a double garage. I had previously been restoring Classic Cars and the downsize was an ideal opportunity to get back into model engineering. I decided I didn't want a steam locomotive as that would tie me to a track, I had a Minnie traction engine in progress but was struggling with the small size and something a bit bigger would be easier on the eyes! I thought the 2" Scale Steam Wagon would be a good compromise.
Searching various plans, Robin Dyer's plans for a 2" Clayton seemed suitable, I went through the archives of York Model Engineers and read the articles in Model Engineer on the build and it seemed to fit the bill!
So in 2012 I made a start on the Chassis, It called for channel section and as luck would have it I had some shelf racking that was just the right size and that was repurposed. So during 2012 I built the chassis.
I made the various fitting and turned the shackle bushes etc, and then that was it. I hung it on a nail in the shed and moved onto various other projects that had stacked up, various stationary engines and more classic cars!.
In 2017 I extended the garage and moved the workshop out of the sheds, and acquired a few more machine tools. The line up of machines is: Boxford AUD lathe, Harrison M300 Lathe, Tom Senior Mill, Harrison Vertical Mill, Boxford Shaper, Clarkson Tool and Cutter Grinder, Union Pillar Drill and various grinding wheels and polishers.
I had been using most of this equipment for my voluntary work at the Derwent Valley Light Railway in York, and of course parts for the various classic cars cars and I thought it was time to get back to the Clayton, as I had just completed a Stuart Beam Engine and a model Gardner Oil Engine. The Minnie was progressing slowly.
So 2019 saw the next stages of the Clayton. I made the springs and the front axle.
