Danny is a very simple 0-4-0 locomotive built entirely of metal. She's heavy, even without the battery pack, and feels very solid. More like a simple live steamer than anything else in fact. The body outline follows no particular prototype and even in this respect, some aspects are more akin to a steam locomotive - particularly in the cab area. There's very little detail supplied but it can (and in my case, will) be added very easily. This, no doubt, accounts for the shelf price of just £195.

Traction is supplied by a small 12v motor, driving one axle through a reduction gearbox and crown gearwheel. It's a bit exposed so take care that the loco doesn't drop into the dirt - even so cleaning up is pretty easy. The drive is taken to the other axle through connecting rods. This works effectively to provide plenty of traction within the limitation of the small motor. With the weight of the loco, slipping doesn't seem to be an issue: however the motor will stall if it can't cope.

As you can see from the previous picture the front grill is probably the naffest bit of the whole design. However, it's going to be simple - even for me - to correct with a black plasticard inlay. One thing you don't have to worry about with a battery loco is heat. Now let's have a look at the works with the body off. The body is one piece and is removed by the simple expedient of unscrewing the brass exhaust pipe. The battery pack is not included with the loco (although the holder is) and can be purchased at the same time for an additional £15 or so. This includes an intelligent charger and 8 AA NmH cells, so is something of an essential bargain. You could use your own batteries but this does make life easier. Running time on a full charge can be measured in hours.

The locomotive comes ready to run apart from charging the batteries. An overnight charge is recommended - don't be tempted to run with the batteries half charged initially as disappointment will result. The big advantage with NmH cells is that they have no memory effect so a part charge won't actually harm them - just that Danny won't perform at her best.

The control panel (!) as shown contains an on/off switch, a direction switch, and a "volume control" - throttle.

Underneath you can see how the motor is mated to the drive - again very simple but effective. The motor proudly displays its' parentage as Como Drills!

As supplied the wheels are gauged to 32mm - which I would guess would suit this little loco very well. However regauging is easy with the supplied Allen key which fits grub screws on the wheels - they supply a few spare grub screws as well. Be careful here to get the gauging spot on as otherwise you'll have problems with LGB point work. Fortunately there are no problems with quartering as the rods are connected to the outside fly cranks and don't need to be touched to regauge. Make sure that you keep the wheels centred on the axle. I used a Roundhouse back-to-back gauge which I have, but it can be done by eye (I would suggest that a simple wood back to back gauge may be useful, which can be made using an LGB wheel set to give the essential dimensions). The flange depth of Danny's wheels are much less than the LGB "hold onto everything at 120mph" variety, but even so this shouldn't cause any problems unless your permanent way is well past its' sell by date. In which case a spot of relaying will be in order anyway.

The wheels are not insulated, so give up any notions of running Danny whilst you have power in the rails; it just isn't going to happen.

So how does it go? At first I was a little disappointed as the loco seemed to make a lot of noise and have insufficient oomph. However I hadn't given the batteries a full charge in my impatience (see above!). An overnight charge, a spot of light oiling, and careful running in for a couple of hours has resulted in a dramatic improvement.

Even so, Danny doesn't run with the accustomed silence that we expect from an LGB loco. The motor and gearbox emits something of a banshee wail whilst under load, though even this is now starting to diminish.

As you can see from this pic the other feature that needs some work is the back of the loco. This is designed to ease access to the "regulator" which it achieves until you couple a coach on the back. Again, this will be replaced by a cheap and simple plasticard overlay more in keeping with this type of loco.

Although I may seem critical of this loco, don't be misled. Actually I am very impressed. She (it seems funny calling a loco named Danny "she" - must be Danielle!) is starting to perform really well. OK, not in the league of the big locos, but Danny will potter along happily for hours with a short string of wagons....

.... or a couple of coaches. As an introduction to battery control, she's all the better by coming ready to put on the rails and go - not a sniff of ability to build is required. She performs like a prototype of her size and power, and it's great to be able to run to run a train on filthy (but clear of obstacles) track at a whim.

The only real criticism I have is that really naff front grill! Otherwise I think that Danny has all the makings of "a really useful engine"!

Contact if anyone wants one is Kent Garden Railways in Swanley. Telephone 01689 891668 or web: www.kgrmodels.com

John Stedman. 2006.