REUNITED WITH LOCO

A model locomotive, the driver and a passenger have been reunited after 61 years.  In 1958 a young Ann Hatherill (neé Carter) drove the locomotive Conversion at the Model Engineer Exhibition. Her passengers included Diane (known as Dee) and Philip Crebbin, whose grandfather Jim Crebbin built the engine.


Now a barrister in Hong Kong Dee Crebbin met Ann Hatherill and SMEE members with the engine Conversion recently. Dee remembers the 1958 exhibition and recalls wearing a green and white gingham dress. 

Top - young Anne driving Conversion back in the day  and  Anne and Dee reunited with Conversion at the SMEE.


Ann is now SMEE’s archivist and recalls: “I was introduced to James Crebbin by my father, Bill Carter, before I was old enough to join SMEE. Unfortunately he died two years before I joined in 1952. His loco Cosmo Bonsor, which he gifted to the society in 1948, was not run after he died, however Conversion, which he left to the society, was run at Model  Engineer Exhibitions for many more years. I drove it a number of times. It coped with all loads, was a very free steamer and rarely slipped on starting.

“The occasion I remember best was when my special passengers were James’ daughter-in-law Mary and his grandchildren Philip and Diane. At that time, 1958, I was 21 years old and Diane (known as Dee) was 10. I never imagined that many years later Dee and I would be able to meet again with the loco Conversion.

Jim Crebbin’s engine, Cosmo Bonsor,  will be displayed at the Brass, Steam and Fire exhibition at the National Railway Museum, York, from Thursday September 26. 

Jim Crebbin’s life and locomotives also feature in a new SMEE publication linked to the exhibition. The Remarkable Jim Crebbin and his Experimental Locomotives by Roger Backhouse describes how a Bank of England clerk overcame parental discouragement and no formal engineering training to become one of the leading model engineers in the first half of the 20th century. Besides details of Jim Crebbin’s surprising life this book includes details of his locomotive and model boat experiments.  

One of very few model engineers to try locomotive compounding Jim Crebbin advised G.J. Churchward on introducing the de Glehn compounds on the GWR. Other friends and contacts included Sir Nigel Gresley, Karl Golsdorf, Professor Edouard Sauvage. W.J. Bassett-Lowke,  the conductor Sir Henry Wood and Colonel Ricardo, the likely inspiration for Toad of Toad Hall.  In extensive travel abroad he was an ambassador for model engineering, encouraging newcomers to the hobby. 

SMEE Chairman  Alan Wragg adds: "At SMEE we’re very pleased to support the Railway Museum exhibition. Jim Crebbin was a SMEE founder who contributed much to our growth and activities besides being very much in our tradition of experimental engineering. He was always keen to encourage beginners and SMEE aims to continue that tradition with our training courses and other support.” 


Book information 


The Remarkable Jim Crebbin and his Experimental Locomotives. By Roger Backhouse. Published by SMEE  82pp.  £14. ISBN 97815272 45327. 


Order from booksales@sm-ee.co.uk or by post from SMEE, Marshall House, 28 Wanless Road, London SE24 0HW. Price £14 plus £2 UK post and packing. Cheques etc payable to Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. 


 
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