Sold April 2022 Back to Archive

3 1/2 inch gauge Baldwin 4-8-4 "Columbia" - stock code 8525

We sold this one to a long-time customer 18 months ago, it's recently come back to us as he downsizes his collection.

In the same condition now as last time it was here, the lockdown last year meaning it remained unsteamed in his ownership.

A 3 1/2 inch gauge Baldwin 4-8-4 to Martin Evans' "Columbia" design, serialised in "Model Engineer" magazine 1978-80.

It's come to us direct from the late builder's family, a highly experienced engineer with several other good locomotives to his credit including a fine 3 1/2 inch gauge LMS Duchess.

Always impressed with these when we get them in, the scale and proportion of the cylinders and running gear so different to British prototypes - the pair of Britannias standing next to this one in the workshop at the moment look positively svelte in comparison!

Nicely detailed, including a huge chime whistle and water gauge lighting in the cab. There a steam boiler feed pump which runs, although is not currently piped up.

In steam much of this morning it runs particularly well - there's some video of it here. A nicely-built, thoroughly sorted engine.

gauge 3 1/2 inch
length/inches 47+33
width/inches 8 1/2
height/inches 12
wheel material cast iron
cylinder material gunmetal
valve type piston
valve gear Walschaerts
injector(s) 2
boiler number GB345
year built 2008
boiler maker GB Boiler Services
CE mark yes
working pressure/psi 80
boiler type locomotive
boiler material copper
boiler construction silver soldered
hydraulic test valid to 11/Apr/2023
superheater(s) 2
superheater type radiant
safety valve(s) 2
safety valve type spring
hand pump 1
whistle yes