Sold November 2013 Back to Archive

A Tinkerbell 0-4-2T, to Roger Marsh's seminal design for a sit-in 7 1/4 inch gauge locomotive. Regular readers will know I'm a bit of a fan of these - had two of my own on the railway at home, the driving experience is much more that of a small real engine than large model.

This one is the work of an accomplished engineer with many (mainly large) projects to his credit, including the 4 inch scale Case traction engine and Likamobile steam car I have had in recent years. Completed in 2011, it has been built to a commercial specification, with extensive use of roller bearings offering a powerful, low maintenance locomotive suitable for intensive club use.

Welded steel locomotive type boiler with expanded tubes by the redoubtable Tony Baldwin at AJB Engineering, 120psi working pressure. External ball valve regulator. Feed by twin injectors. Cast iron cylinders with slide valves actuated by Heywood gear with pole reverser in the cab. Connecting and coupling rods feature sealed roller bearings, wheels are in steel.

The footplate has been stretched to give more leg room, Sam is 6' 4" and fits in easily - there's a clip of him running up and down the yard here.

The air fittings in the cab were used to control a train-mounted air brake at the owner's club. The superb sounding whistle is a genuine Burrell item (which I'm very tempted to keep!).

Length 80 inches
Width 26 inches
Height 51 inches
Weight 1/2 ton