Sold October 2013 Back to Archive

I've been really temped to keep this one myself - quirky and narrow gauge, it's my sort of project.

A 7 1/4 inch gauge model of the 0-4-0 tram-derived locomotive built by R & W Hawthorne in 1880 for Whigham Richardson's Neptune Shipyard. There's only one photograph known to exist of the engine, a works, side-on picture from which the estimable Ken Swan worked up a complete set of drawings. Some things are subject of speculation - nobody's really sure what gauge the original engine was - however built to 3 3/4 inch scale for 7 1/4 inch gauge track, I think it's got lovely proportions.

The valve gear is "Brown's Patent", invented by an Englishman, Charles Brown, and used in engines built by the Swiss Locomotive & Machine Works (including those built for the Snowdon Mountain Railway - see, you remember where you've seen it before now). Whilst specialising in mountain, rack-drive engines, they also built tram engines which appears to be what this one was derived from.

Work to date is to a good standard and comprises a substantially complete chassis, close to air-running, with well tank and smokebox fitted - the engine turns over freely. There is a length of copper tube for the boiler barrel, together with a flanged tube plate and formed top plate.

Complete with a large quantity of notes, drawings and pictures.

Length 36 inches