My Tri-ang Part 2 MIKE CLEMENT continues his two part article describing his history restoring and selling Tri-ang Minic Railways. FTER I sold my refurbished Minic engine and coach (TMNR Times 13) and still being in possession of a large quantity of Minic track I wondered if there was a potential opportunity for operating a 10¼” miniature railway at any local open air events.
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with a wonderful mechanical workshop in his ex tended garage. He showed me work under way in his work shop, pictures of completed models then running at commercial enterprises and 7¼” double slip point track work under construction.
I can not remember as to how, but somehow, I acquired a rather battered Minic engine with the intention of 'stretching' it to make it wider and perhaps a little longer to accommodate myself and a Honda engine. After many enquiries I located a medically retired police officer living on Merseyside who had made several 7¼” railway engines.
What struck me was his ability to technically draw freehand detailed designs and then skilfully assemble high quality scale models. What he did not appear to be too interested in, was the final detailed cosmetic finish application to his engines and coaches, which was where I knew I could use my skills. We agreed that once the design was finalised, that Arni would build the framework of an enlarged Minic railway engine, a toast rack carriage and a Pullman style carriage and I would finish off
I contacted him, an Arni Bimpson, a ver y friendly person living in a modest semi, but
8 TMNR TIMES
