Sold July 2015 Back to Archive

A new 6 inch scale Ruston Proctor SD steam tractor, it's come to us direct from the builder who test steamed it to check it worked - it's otherwise new and unused, indeed, it had its first boiler test and run out on the road after it arrived with us this week. The work of a highly talented engineer, now retired but whose canon of work over the last twenty-five years encompasses, in addition to steam engines, some beautiful vintage car restorations (including the superb recreation of a pre-war twin cam Riley roadster that I'd give my eye-teeth for) and a large number of clocks - both restorations and new-builds to his own designs.

Steel boiler with expanded tubes by John Rex, 100psi working pressure, feed by injector and mechanical pump. Cast iron cylinder with slide valve actuated by Stephenson's gear with pole reverser, mechanical lubricator, chime whistle. Two speed transmission with differential, rubber tyres, winch fitted behind nearside rear wheel with fairleads on tender. The tender has a removeable floor which makes cleaning and maintenance very easy. There are lots of nice details, from the abundant number of oilers to the brass-cased tender water level gauge. The water pump is of the builder's own design - engraved with its output, it is more than master of the boiler's requirements.

A beautifully made engine, in as-new condition throughout. Built over a three year period, it was last steamed when completed in 2006 - since then it has been stored dry, stood on rubber pads in the builder's heated garage (in company with the aforementioned Riley) to avoid indenting the rubber tyres. It is complete with the set of annotated drawings it was built from, a comprehensive photographic record of the build, electric steam-raising blower and driver's seat.

We've all had a go on this one today - it's very free-steaming and drives beautifully, with crisp, square exhaust beats and a good turn of speed in high gear - we spent most of the afternoon driving around with a light fire, damper closed and the safety valves blowing off, there's some video of it here.

Hydraulic test @150psi, 100psi working pressure, 15-Jul-2015
Steam test 16-Jul-2015
Boiler certificate valid to 15-Sep-2016

Length 72 inches
Weight est 1/2 ton