5 inch gauge Maxitrak "Swallow"

A Maxitrak "Swallow", their take on a typical standard gauge industrial shunting engine.

Silver soldered boiler, working pressure 80psi, feed by crosshead pump with auxiliary handpump in side tank. Gunmetal cylinders with slide valves actuated by Walschaert's valve gear, pole reverser in cab. Drain cock operated by lever from cab. Cylinder lubrication by displacement lubricator in cab.

I have high regard for this entire family of engines from Maxitrak, which includes "Dixie, a narrow gauge version of the same thing. They are easy to carry about single handed, make steam like it's going out of fashion, are tolerant of cack-handed driving and go like the clappers. As I've said before, I get few of them in because the owners never seem to sell them.

Length 26 inches
Weight approx 70 pounds

Repainted and lined out December 2007