Sold June 2009 Back to Archive

Whilst models of Hunslets turn up all over the place in just about every gauge under the sun, from 3 1/2 to 10 1/4, there are very few Hudswell Clarkes built, their neighbours at Jack Lane, Leeds. I'm not sure why, as Hudswell Clarke produced a huge diversity of types and gauges, both steam and, latterly, diesel locomotives. In the early part of the twentieth century they formed a partnership with Robert Hudson, narrow gauge equipment suppliers (they of the famous Hudson tipper wagons) and produced a range of narrow gauge engines which were exported around the world.

This engine is a model of the 2' 6" gauge Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 supplied to the Sub Nigel Gold Mine of South Africa. It was built by a prolific engineer, responsible for several of the engines I had in last year including the GWR Mogul, Adams 4-4-0, Butch and Class 15 Bo-Bo. He worked up his own design from a works GA drawing to build the engine you see here. Given the narrow gauge prototype, it comes out as a big model, built to 2 inch scale.

Silver-soldered superheated copper boiler by Western Steam, 1998, working pressure 100psi. Feed by twin injectors with handpump at rear of right hand tank. Gunmetal cylinders with slide valves actuated by Walschaert's gear with pole reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator.

The engine had been well-used and the paintwork is fairly grotty but the engine steams freely and runs well.

Length 38 inches
Width 14 inches
Height 23 inches
Weight est 160 pounds