Sold August 2016 Back to Archive

One of three 15 gauge locomotives built by Wilhelm van der Heiden between 1968 and 1983 - "Raf", the last, remained with the builder's daughter from 1990 until late 2015 when it came over to the UK. It's a beautifully built engine which remains in close to ex-works condition, having spent the majority of its life stored in a garage unused.

Welded steel boiler, 120psi working pressure, feed by twin injectors, boiler and steam chest pressure gauges. There's a steam pump on the smokebox, piped up for steam and which works like a metronome, but currently not plumbed up for water feed.

Cast iron cylinders with piston valves actuated by Walscshaert's gear with pole reverser in the cab. A large, twin ram lubricator with sight level glass is fitted to the front offside running board.

Valve gear is robustly proportioned with generous bearing surfaces and oil holes to all pins. Driving axles run in sealed roller bearings.

The tender gives a comfortable driving position with a dropped foot well, there's a toolbox mounted at the rear. Seat is wide enough to take two slim bodies, or dad and lad - an ideal engine to teach a novice on.

Paintwork is well done and in good condition - reminiscent of 1970s Ffestiniog lined out green. The brasswork is finely executed and polishes up well - the dome is nice simply to polish, let alone look at! Whistle is excellent, with a tested minimum half mile range in still air (that's from the works to David's house in the village).

We all rated this one - it's a well thought out, nicely engineered machine in good order throughout. The engine runs nearly silently when notched up, the clicking of its lubricator about the loudest noise - there's a clip of it running in the yard this afternoon here.

Overall length with tender 13 feet
Weight all up est 1 1/4 tons