Welcome to the SIMPLEX web site.

This site is intended to provide a web based focal point for all those interested in Martin Evan's Simplex, either as prospective, current, or past builders of this popular freelance 5" locomotive.

What is Simplex?

Simplex was devised by Martin Evans, a well known and widely respected model engineer, who over the years has contributed numerous articles to the Model Engineer magazine, predominantly on the construction of models of actual locomotives in all the popular scales (3½", 5" and 7¼").

Martin perceived a need for a 5" gauge engine that would be easy to build, and which incorporated the minimum of details required to produce a working model. Simplex was developed with this in mind, all dimensions being chosen to simplify assembly, and the boiler being made as simple as a practical coal fired boiler could be.

Why choose to build Simplex?

If I explain why I decided to build Simplex, this will hopefully help to answer this question.

I am a model engineer with limited practical model engineering experience, and joined the North London Society of Model Engineers a couple of years ago. It has always been my intention to build a passenger hauling steam locomotive, and after asking a number of experienced model engineers in the society for their advice, decided to build a Simplex, based on the following advice:

• For a first locomotive 5" gauge is preferable to 3½" since it is less fiddly
• Choose a proven design with readily available drawings and castings etc.
• Choose a design of which there are a reasonable number running which can be viewed and from whose builders help and advice can be sought.

In addition to the above advice, a number of knowledgeable society members specifically recommended Simplex.

As a result of visiting a number of shows and exhibitions, and talking to fellow club members, it is obvious that numerous Simplexes (if this is the plural of Simplex) have both been built and are currently being built. It has been stated that there is not a single Model Engineering Society that does not have at least one Simplex.

This site has been created as a forum for all those interested in Simplex to exchange views, ideas, problems experienced (and solutions) etc.

I also hope in the future to be able to post pictures of different variants of this locomotive, including 'work in progress' pictures. Anyone with pictures in a suitable format for posting on the site are welcome to send them to me, and I will do my best to include all suitable images.

Simplex pictures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Problems, solutions and construction notes

Links to other relevant sites

About this site

This site was initially constructed using Microsoft Internet Explorer FrontPage Express (an addition to Internet explorer which is available as a free download from Microsoft), and then refined by editing the HTML after reading the useful article NCSA's Beginner's Guide to HTML

Since this is my first attempt at creating and hosting a web site, it is more than likely that glitches or errors will occur at some time or other. If this happens to you whilst viewing the site I apologise.

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