LDM22. Southern Railway Maunsell 'Z' Class 0-8-0 Heavy Shunting Loco No. A953. In lined Southern Railway black livery. This is well built from a DMR brass kit and painted by Conrad Cooper (signed). Fitted with sprung hornblocks on all axles, ABC gearbox with a motor which could be a small Buhler, Slaters wheels, removable roof and with very good cab detail and crew. The model has had medium use with minor paint loss and although running fine some of the pickups (plunger pickups on all wheels) need attention. The prototype was into service from Brighton Works in June 1929 and was withdrawn from Exmouth Junction in December 1962. The class were introduced as heavy shunters in the larger marshalling yards like Feltham, Eastleigh and Exmouth Junction. The original intention was to build them at Ashford, hence the 'A' prefix to the number, but they were eventually turned out from Brighton. There was an intention to preserve No. A952 (BR No. 30952) and it did make its way to South Wales in 1964 but it went to Cashmore's at Newport from where nothing survived. A rarely modelled class. RESERVED.
