6 inch scale 3 ton steam tractor

A scratch built steam tractor, of freelance design although very similar in overall size and proportion to a 6 inch scale Ruston 3 ton steam tractor.

Something of a barn find, a builder's plate on the spectacle plate gives the build date as 1989, with a boiler test pressure of 250psi for 100psi working. An internal inspection and 150psi hydraulic test in the workshop prior to steaming it showed no indications of leaks or distortion, however the boiler has no documentation and would require at the very least a full strip to assess construction and condition before further use.

Unsurprisingly given its condition - the engine appeared not to have been steamed for a good while - there are various jobs to do, including replacement of a leaking pump bypass valve. Motionwork has a good deal of wear and requires adjustment and some rebushing.

For all its currently shabby appearance, the engine was well built in the first place with a good eye for proportion. It steams very freely and runs well, if with a good deal of clatter from the motionwork - there's some video here of it running around outside the works in the sunshine yesterday.