South Yorkshire Times, October 1, 1949

This Mexborough Model Will Pull 30 Men

After four years’ work, Mr. John Martin Swindells (63), 42, Morton Road, Mexborough, is well on the way to completing his ninth model railway engine, the Royal Scot.

For those who think this sort of thing child’s play, it would be well for them to take a glimpse at the workshop of Mr Swindells.

First of all, I would hardly call the engine a model (writes a ” South Yorkshire Times reporter). Built to scale from blueprints taken from the actual Royal Scot’s measurements, the engine and tender measure nine feet in length and weigh over 15 cwt.

Every nut, bolt, screw and rivet which goes into the mild steel cab work and chassis of the  engine is made In Mr. Swindell workshop. Years of Patience hard work will result in a complete replica of the famous locomotive.

Mr. Swindell estimates that when steam is up, the model pull a load of 30 fully grown men.

With over 40 years’ experience behind him, Mr. Swindells is well qualified for the position of president of Dearne District Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. In 1913 Mr. Swindells won prizes at the Models Exhibition in London, and the same year at the Manchester Society of Model Engineering, exhibiting an engine and tender of his owndesign. ” It is hoped,” he said, to have a Dearne District Exhibition it the near future.”