Sold January 2025 Back to Archive

A 3 inch scale Fowler A7 agricultural engine, built to the MJ Engineering design. The work of a professional engineer, a friend that I first met nearly thirty years ago when we both kept full-size road engines at a yard in Hampshire.

A highly experienced steam man - for many years the custodian of a well-known Marshall steam roller - he was also a capable model engineer. Amongst other things he built three 3 inch scale road engines including the Fowler, a Marshall roller modelled on his own full-size engine along with a McLaren road locomotive.

The Marshall and McLaren remained unsteamed, however the Fowler was much used over the years, appearing at various events and rallies around the country.

The commercially made copper boiler had had a twice working pressure hydraulic test and subsequent steam test, with new certification issued. The original Fowler pattern safety valves which leaked badly have been replaced by pop-type valves, with the original parts retained - they could be refurbished if desired. We've fitted new water gauge seals, an injector - the old one was worn and becoming unreliable in operation - and serviced the regulator.

The paintwork has an appealing "working clothes" patina; whilst the motionwork shows some wear, the engine steams freely and runs very well.