Who is Caroline?

Caroline is a model of an 0-4-0 side tank engine based on an Orenstein and Koppel design similar to this one. It is sold in kit form by Polly Model Engineering Ltd who are well known for their Polly range of 5 inch coal fired steam engines.

Why a Polly?

I already have this Polly 2, an 0-4-0 coal fired tender loco which I purchased secondhand about 12 months ago.

(click image to enlarge)
This has been my training ground amply supported by my very patient and knowledgeable friends, and not forgetting Andy Clarke of Polly Model Engineering Ltd who has been very helpful in solving the inevitable problems with an older engine and a novice owner! It's worth saying that this engine didn't even originate from Andy, it was supplied by one of the earlier owners of the company.

I should probably state at this stage, that I have absolutely no connection with Polly Models other than as the satisfied owner of the Polly 2.

Why Caroline?

Well... I like to be different. When I decided to get into 5 inch gauge, most of my friends were running Maxitrak engines, although this has since developed so that they are now mostly Blackgates Engineering "Sweet Peas". My initial search for something suitable second hand included both Maxitrak and Polly. It just so happened that the first one that came along was a Polly 2.

Having decided that I was going to try and build my own engine from a kit, I looked around for something other than a "Sweet Pea" (you can have too much of a good thing sometimes) At about that time, Polly's announced the development of the "Caroline" by their European distributor. The boiler and most of the mechanicals are long established Polly parts and with the thorough testing being undertaken I was assured of a quality, reliable engine with full backup.

Polly Models state on their website that the fully machined kits are aimed primarily at the complete novice with minimal tools required. So that should suit me very well indeed!