Sold October 2011 Back to Archive

3 inch scale freelance traction engine - stock code 5211

A large freelance design traction engine - allegedly built to 3 inch scale, it towers over a 3 inch Burrell and probably weighs half as much again.

The engine was last used in 2008, it's languished in a shed since becoming somewhat shabby looking in the interim. Underneath is a robustly constructed engine, the lady it came from remembers her father driving it around the garden before boats and locomotives distracted him in later years.

Steel welded boiler with expanded tubes - one tube has been blanked off, it appears a long time ago. Cast iron cylinder with slide valve actuated by Stephenson's gear, pole reverser in cab, mechanical lubricator. Two speed transmission, wheels are on rubber tyres.

Boiler looked sound on hydraulic test, absolutely dry in both smokebox and firebox - surprisingly, for an engine that has been out of use for a long time, the fittings didn't leak badly either. Given a morning's work the engine could be back in steam. For those of a less impatient nature, a light overhaul, thorough clean and repaint would produce a well-proportioned, good-looking engine.

scale 3 inch