Martin Evans (1916 – 29 December 2003) was influential in the field of model engineering and locomotive design, and also worked as the technical editor and eventually managing editor of the English magazine Model Engineer. His editorship, along with other changes in staff, helped keep the magazine on track after experiencing some decline following the death of locomotive designer Curly Lawrence. Evans inaugurated the International Model Locomotive Efficiency Competition (IMLEC) in 1969. An erudite editor, Evans worked with a pool of other knowledgeable contributors during a time considered to be the height of British toolroom engineering. Evans retired from the magazine in June 1977, continuing his concentration on locomotive design. He died December 29, 2003.

Locomotive designs

Many model locomotive designs in a range of gauges were serialised by Martin Evans in the pages of Model Engineer. Some of the castings used to machine and build these designs are still available from a few commercial suppliers as are some of the laser cut components. Some of the earlier designs along with discussion threads among engineers of locomotive models can be seen in various web forums on the internet. They are frequently seen both on model railway society tracks and second-hand markets. The designs included:

2½ in. gauge

3½ in. gauge

5 in. gauge

7¼ in. gauge

Selected books

Martin Evans authored a number of books, including: