Sold August 2010 Back to Archive

I haven't had one of these in before and was surprised at just how big the thing was when I first saw it in the workshop. A 7 1/4 inch gauge model of the Talyllyn Railway's "Tom Rolt" 0-4-2T, the last engine on the bench of a prolific builder (who was also responsible for the superb 5 inch gauge Black 5 "George Stephenson" currently in the workshop).

This is a well-advanced build, comprising a chassis complete with brakes, reverser, drain cocks - piston valve cylinders are in cast iron, Walschaert's valve gear. Crisp, high quality machining, loads of nice details like spring lid oilers throughout the motionwork, working leaf springs, immaculately piped-up drain cocks - the longer you look at it, as with his Black 5, the more you see.

Boiler was delivered earlier this year, steel with expanded steel tubes with all manufacuter's paperwork, twice pressure hydraulic test certificate at 200psi for 100psi working pressure and CE mark plate on backhead.

A strightforward build from here, which is mainly platework and fitting out, with the potential for a very fine, powerful locomotive when completed.

Length 55 inches
Width 19 inches
Height 20 inches