LBSC's Bass

[jl]

Hello all.

I'm a model engineer of some years with a successful 3 1/2" loco built and a Don Young Black Five very very much on the back burner! I was an active club member for some years but a change in circumstances means that I'm back to being a lone hand - the way I started out!

When I first became interested in building small locomotives, I rather fancied building LBSC's Small Bass, one of Curly's rarer designs. Does anyone have any information on this loco? I believe it was described in gauges O and 1, plus 2 1/2" gauge. I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who has any information about this loco. Ideally I'd love to be able to find the magazine articles but no luck to date! Maybe it is an unusual design from the Thirties and rare for a reason, but I rather like it with a scenic line at home in mind.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you

Best wishes
JL

[chris vine]

Hi JL

Welcome to the forum!
I had never heard of his Small Bass loco, but googled and found this www.sidestreet.info/locos/loco24.html
Presumably you have seen it already...

All best wishes
Chris

[mbrown]

There is a brand new biography of LBSC by Eddie Castellan, called "The Battle of the Boilers", which includes a photo of a completed Small Bass and a comprehensive list of LBSC's designs with details of when and where they were described. That may be a good starting point in your researches.

Malcolm

[ettingtonliam]

I'm a bit curious about the name Small Bass. Miht it have been based on one of the fleet of small locos operated by Bass Brewery in Burton on Trent?

[mbrown]

I believe that was the case, although it resembles no known locomotive.... In my humble opinion, the weight distribution looks impossibly front heavy, but it appears that viable models have been built from the description.

Or maybe LBSC was implying that building one would be as good for the builder as a large (or small) glass of that beverage!

Malcolm

[simon6200]

I just bought and read Eddie’s book and I highly recommend it.

[John Baguley]

Hi Jl,

Small Bass originally appeared in English Mechanics in 12th December 1930. The article was very basic though and apparently only included a general arrangement drawing and a frame drawing. I do have a copy of a construction book that describes the later version of Small Bass which goes into more detail and also describes Medium Bass (Gauge 1) and Large Bass (2½" Gauge). PM me with your email address and I will let you have a pdf copy.

I'm not sure if I have the original 1930 article though. I do have some copies of EM but nothing like a full set.

John

[jl]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the replies which I've enjoyed reading! With added bonus of learning of a 2nd book about LBSC (I'm quite the fan).

Chris, I've seen that website already but thank you all the same. Btw I loved your Christmas lights video (I'm currently finishing off a vertical boiler coal fired steam plant of similar size).

John, thank you so much, that is very kind. I'll send you a message shortly.

Thank you all!

JL