Sold October 2017 Back to Archive

An interesting model with fine provenance, having been sold through the legendary "Steam Age" shop of Cadogan Street, London in the 1980s - they dealt in high end models, we've had one or two in over the years (and met several engineers who built for them).

A finely built and well-detailed 3 1/2 inch gauge Beyer Peacock 2-8-4T, the engine has spent recent years abroad as a display piece - it arrived with us in a substantial fitted wooden crate, I've spent the last few months agonizing about whether to list it on the website or try to sneak it into the house. Not really a Mrs P type of thing, I think it's lovely.

Silver soldered copper boiler, feed by injector, axle and steam pumps. Gunmetal cylinders with slide valves actuated by Walshaerts gear with pole reverser in the cab. Mechanical lubricator. Turbo generator fitted behind chimney - it's pipe and wired up, we assume it is a working model although currently doesn't do much in the amperes department. Steam brake.

The boiler has recently been hydraulic tested at twice working pressure and is sound, the engine has been steamed. After a long time out of service it went surprisingly well first time out, however needs a variety of jobs doing - injector works but overflows, steam pump seems to use just about as much water as it pumps, a couple of the leaf springs are tired and the aforementioned generator needs looking at. There may be a way of removing the ash pan without dismantling the entire engine, but we've yet to find it.

A worthwhile project - a most unusual model (we'd say unique but somebody is bound to send in a pictures of theirs) in running order but with potential for further fettling.