Sold December 2009 Back to Archive

One of the best examples I’ve seen of Ronald Clarke’s design “Thetford Town”, an accurate scale model of the Burrell 8nhp DCC Showmans Road Locomotive. The engine has been stored for many years and appears never fully to have been finished – there are no dynamos fitted, although there are a set of castings to case a standard Lucas dynamo and the canopy has never been fitted with lights.

Silver-soldered copper boiler, working pressure 120psi, firing either by gas or coal – there are interchangeable grates. Feed by injector and crankhaft-driven pump, twin Ramsbottom safety valves.

Compound cylinder with slide valves actuated by Stephenson’s gear, pole reverser on footplate, double-high valve mounted on regulator. Mechanical lubricator. Four shaft transmission with three road speeds, differential. Screwdown brake operating on rear wheels, with additional flywheel brake.

Fit and finish is excellent, the machining very crisp throughout. Attention to detail is very good – notice the absolutely equal length showing on all the cylinder block flange and valve cover studs,

There is what appears a very venerable sheet of typewritten paper giving firing and driving instructions for the engine. The boiler has had a twice working pressure test and is sound, the engine runs absolutely beautifully.

There is a canopy, complete with all olivers ready to bolt on – the top has been varnished in the past, which has yellowed and really needs stripping. There is a small crack around the crane cutout at the rear.

Complete with a box of bits, including gas burner and coal grate, swingle tree, generator castings, Lucas dynamo and a set of drawings.

There’s a clip of the engine running in the workshop last week for the boiler inspector’s visit.

Length 46 inches