The 'Ginny' on static display at an exhibition in Bracknell. [Photo: A. Allum]

The Prototype:

The 'Ginny' is based on one of the two G(23) Stock cars (Nos 4167 and 4176) converted in 1938/9 to allow driving from both ends.
These operated the District Railway shuttle service between Acton Town and South Acton until the closure of the latter in 1959, when both cars were scrapped. (The series was introduced in 1923 as 'G' class, but became 'Q23' class upon modification.  The two single cars were not classified 'Q...,' but as G(23) instead.)
This service was known as the 'Ginny', the 'Tea Run' or 'There and back while the kettle boils'. The short journey time and tight turnaround at South Acton meant you could put a kettle on the fire when leaving Acton Town and be back just as it came to the boil.

Interior view of a G / Q23 car - as preserved at London's Transport Museum at Covent Garden, London.  [Photo: A. Allum.]

The Model:

Also built by Fred Blois, the 7¼" gauge 'Ginny' was bought by Daniel and Adrian at the same time as the 1938 stock. However, this unit was never completed and at present consists only of a bodyshell, chassis and bogie frames. It will require wheels, motors, brakes, batteries, a control panel and wiring up before it runs. The eventual aim is to make it powerful enough to haul carriages as well as operating on its own.

Technical: