1 1/2 inch scale freelance agricultural engine

A well-engineered model of a two speed agricultural engine. Of freelance design, it has been built entirely from stock material. Repainted in recent times in a high gloss red and green, the rather garish finish belies the quality of the engineering beneath.

There is a builder's plate on the valve chest, now painted over but originally carrying the builder's name "R Powell, Engineer, Wantage 1958".

Valve gear and motionwork is well-proportioned and finely finished. A three shaft engine, gear selectors are on the offside with differential mounted behind the nearside rear wheel, a winch behind the offside wheel.

Although the paintwork is in good condition, we'd be tempted to strip this one back and repaint into something closer to its original livery, taking the opportunity to polish up the builder's plate at the same time.

Pressure gauge is a nice period piece by Bonds - boiler has obviously been steamed in the past however, in deference to its age and absence of any prior documentation, we have made no attempt to test or steam the engine. Whilst built as a running model, its retirement is likely to be for display and occasional demonstration runs on air - it ran beautifully at 20psi on the bench, there's a clip here.

Complete with a set of firing irons and album of photographs showing the last time the engine was taken apart for repainting.