Chris Rayward 'Hotspur' |
Meet Hotspur
Like many young men, Chris Rayward was brought up on the Meccano construction sets and Hornby clockwork trains and the interest in engineering was fostered at home by a very perceptive Father. After earning some money in the mid-1950’s doing strawberry picking in the Cheddar Valley, a lathe was purchased and this provided the introduction to elementary machining and basic hand work with the various metals used to make model engines.
This early experience also helped to gain him an apprenticeship with the AWRE at Aldermaston where he received a high standard of craft training and was subsequently sponsored to the Bristol College of Science for an engineering degree. With limited spare time, the desire to make models had to be curtailed but two experimental four cylinder engines were made and following a short spell in the merchant service with the Blue Funnel Line, the development of engines for a living became the career path. |
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Once established in industry and settled with a home where a workshop could be constructed, the desire to build a longer term project was realised and the first of a series of 5” gauge locomotives was begun. This was based on the London & North Western Railway small Jumbo 2-4-0 that ran on the famous West Coast mainline in the 1870’s through to the early part of the 20th century. In fact quite by chance the village in which he had set up home had the remains of the eastern spur of the LNWR running through it. The model was made to drawings and aided by a photograph of engine Number 631 called ‘Hotspur’.
Since that time Chris has built several other model locomotive designs which he has shared with fellow model engineers and provided his own drawings castings and materials for others to use. To give credibility to his products he has traded as Hotspur Designs and sometimes the models have been described in model engineering publications with him adopting the pen name of Hotspur. This began some 20 years ago and the range of models that is available is featured here together with details of the prototypes and model variants that can be built. The range is also being gradually extended as Chris builds the model versions himself. This he feels is the only way to give confidence to other prospective builders that the designs are credible and will function. All the drawings are produced the old fashioned way by hand using pencil on film paper and should any anomalies be found these amendments are included on the drawing masters. |
Many people associate the LNWR with Francis Webb and his often maligned compound locomotives, but the history of the Railway started with Richard Trevithic and then John Ramsbottom, who in their way set the scene for the rise of the engines built at Crewe Works. In producing my designs I must acknowledge the help and encouragement given to me by The L&NWR Society and the many friends I have made by being a member. |
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Chris has picked the LNWR as source of models because it is a railway that had many fine products that has not received much attention by others over the years. The most notable achievement that allowed two of his locomotive designs to be readily available is the novel design for the LNWR Coal Engine wheel. This has been variously described as having ‘H’ or ‘I’ section spokes and the solution for model builders is unique. As a standard design and size, this wheel is applicable to a wide range of LNWR locomotive types mainly associated with goods traffic and small tank engines, and so its availability can offer model builders the chance to design and build one of the other prototypes. It will also be recognised that many LNWR locomotives have a common ‘style’ and certain components have been produced that will suit all designs from this period.
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phone |
+44 1600 713913
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address
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1 Highmeadow, Wyesham, Monmouth, Monmoutshire NP25 3TB
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Last updated 26th December 2020
