Sold August 2023 Back to Archive

A particularly well-made 5 inch gauge "Claud Hamilton" 4-4-0 in LNER livery - new and unsteamed it has been on display for many years in the owner's house. It's come to us as part of a large collection of 4 inch scale traction engines and 3 1/2 and 5 inch gauge locomotives as the owner downsizes in retirement.

Fit and finish of machined parts is to a high standard, the platework is neatly formed and well fitted. Paintwork was well-applied in the first place and remains in excellent condition.

We love the details on this one, including the lovely guide bar and crosshead oilers, taper-pinned motionwork, screw reverser with locking catch, dummy lubricator mounted on the offside and finely formed pipework.

The boiler had had a twice working pressure hydraulic test and appears leak free and free from distortion - we would warranty as sound.

The engine runs well on air in either direction, there's some video of it on the rolling road on our YouTube channel here.

The engine will require some commissioning for steaming, including rectification of a leaky wet header and replacement of soft soldered superheater elements which would prove short-lived in service.