Sold April 2026 Back to Archive

One of the finest locomotives we've had the privilege to own - and the finest example of a Duchess we've ever had by some margin. In our opinion the locomotive is comparable to notable examples by Powell and Adams (and we were at both the sales in years gone by when each of those locomotives was sold).

"City of Coventry" was built by a consultant surgeon over a period of 21 years, based on the Jim Vass design with considerable added detail, gleaned from works drawings and photographs.

A prodigiously gifted man (and owner of by far the cleanest workshop we've ever seen), his early career in model engineering started with building Stuart stationary engines, before moving on to a 2 inch scale Burrell Scenic Showmans road locomotive.

An opportunity came up to buy a superb 3 inch scale model of "King Carnival II", which led to him building a 4 1/2 inch scale model of the same engine, to the same exhibition standard, authentic down to the last nut and bolt. That engine remains in his possession, until recently sharing shed space with his full size Fowler road locomotive and collection of classic cars.

An extensive album of photographs recording the Duchess build includes many detailed pictures of the prototype - often displayed alongside similar views of the model, it takes a close look to see which is which.

The builder's desire for authenticity and fastidious attention to detail bordered on the obsessive, and extends throughout the model. It's not often we see an AWS warning bell and relay box in the cab with pipework for same fitted to the chassis; wheels fitted with blind keys from the back, as per prototype; Smith's speedometer drive box with hand cut bevel gears the size of match heads; working tender water scoop, as well as a dummy coal-pusher; working padlock for the driver's locker, beautifully made oil can, and working head and tail lamps.

On completion, the Duchess was exhibited at the 2013 Midlands Model Engineering Show, where it was awarded a First Class certificate in the locomotive category.

Despite its highly detailed construction and exhibition finish paintwork, the builder incorporated many practical features for ease of driving and maintenance. The cab roof is removable, intended to be replaced for running with a "driving roof" featuring a large cutout for access to the controls (the roof is included, formed to shape but yet to be painted); the running boards are all removable for maintenance; the smokebox can be dismounted by removing three screws, the handrail splitting to facilitate the operation.

Test-steamed and run on a rolling road to check valve setting after completion, the engine has been on display in the owner's heated workshop ever since. It remains in pristine, ex-works condition throughout.

At just over ten feet long including tender, and tipping the scales at over a third of a ton, the locomotive is stored and moved on a purpose-built stand of all-welded steel construction, finished in grey powder coat and fitted with heavy duty castors.

Offered complete with original manufacturer's boiler certification, album of build photographs, builder's notes and quantity of black and white prints showing details of the original locomotive for reference.

The full-size "City of Coventry" racked up the highest mileage of any of the Coronations, running 1,685,000 miles before being withdrawn in September 1964 - it was cut up at Cashmore's yard in December of that year.

Still building to the same exacting standard - now twenty years into retirement - the man's latest project is a 7 1/4 inch gauge LMS Mogul. Two years into the build, it's expected to be finished next year. Workmanship is, as one would expect, impeccable.