Sold June 2003 Back to Archive

2 1/2 inch gauge "Fayette" - stock code 1972

One of LBSC's most popular designs, drawn up at what was arguably the height of his creative powers at the end of the 1930s, "Fayette" was his idea of an Anglo-American Pacific, a large twin-cylinder engine with Baker valve gear. Many of these engines were built (and, indeed, continue to be - the castings and drawings are still available).

A nicely-made older model requiring mainly cosmetic refurbishment, this engine steams and runs very well with crisp, even exhaust beats. The cab roof and injector are missing, other than that it is complete. The pressure gauge by Bassett Lowke does not work - if required we can supply both a new gauge and injector. Copper superheated boiler fed by twin axle pumps (with individual bypass valves on the footplate), injector (when re-fitted!) and an auxiliary hand pump in the tender. The rather ungainly looking top feeds on the boiler are actually as-designed, although could be re-plumbed a little more elegantly down the sides of the boiler.The motion work is well-executed and runs smoothly, there is a neat silver-soldered repair to one eccentric rod.

We have tested the boiler at 120 psi hydraulic, 80 psi steam. Aside from a leaky regulator and snifter valve, the boiler appears to be in good condition - it will require re-testing before use when the leaks have been attended to. It has a large firebox with combustion chamber (very similar to the design he used on the contemporary "Maisie" design) which makes for easy firing and very free steaming.

I think that this would be a straightforward and really worthwhile restoration - the design dates from the very beginnings of the modern era of model engineering, just after LBSC had firmly established the credibility of coal-fired, passenger hauling locomotives in the smaller gauges.

Length:
Locomotive 26 inches
Tender 20 inches

gauge 2 1/2 inch