Sold May 2023 Back to Archive

One of the finest steam tractors we've seen in this scale - and one of the nicest road engines of any scale we've had through the workshop.

The centrepiece of a large collection we bought recently, for the last 15 years it has been on display in a purpose-built, mirror-backed case built into the owner's entrance hall - it took four of us to lift it out!

Fit and finish of machined parts is good, the double crank compound engine runs well on air in either direction, there's some video of it here.

It is believed that the boiler was built by Franklin & Bell in 1999 - the FB prefix and serial number 309 are correct for that period according to our records - however the original paperwork has been lost.

Unusually for a miniature - and in keeping with the high level of detail elsewhere in the model - the firebox has the correct Garrett pressed M-shape crown, bushed for a fusible plug.

The grate comprises individually cast firebars, mounted together to form a one-piece assembly for ease of fitting.

The boiler appears unsteamed from new, the smokebox is bright metal, the inner firebox appears to bave been oiled to protect it before it was put in the display case.

Paintwork is generally good with some minor blemishes and re-touching in parts; the front of the spectacle plates and parts of the inner hornplates have not been painted from new.