Sold April 2005 Back to Archive

3 1/2 inch gauge freelance Pacific - stock code 2493

An interesting old engine which came in recently in part-exchange. The owner had bought it from the builder, an elderly member of his model engineering club. Kindest to say that it shows a wide range of design influences - sort of King out of Hielan Lassie by The Great Bear, however it is rather nicely made by somebody who knew what they were doing. The motion work is still in good order throughout, the paintwork, although rather tired, is still fairly presentable. There are lots of well-executed details, from the parallel action firehole doors to working leaf springs on the tender.

Boiler fed by twin injectors and twin-ram axle pump with auxiliary hand pump in tender. Slide valve cylinders actuated by Walschaert's valve gear with screw reverser in cab.

The boiler looks ok on hydraulic test, it certainly goes like the clappers (which is hardly surprising, given the size of the thing). Complete with a length of display track.

Really in need of a good clean, servicing and a tidy up, this would make a worthwhile project which would produce a large, powerful locomotive.

Length
Locomotive 37 inches
Tender 19 inches

gauge 3 1/2 inch