Sold November 2024 Back to Archive

A vintage 5 inch gauge 2-6-4 tank locomotive, of freelance design - although superficially sharing something of the look and proportions of the Standard Class 4 tank, it predates Riddles' design by two years.

Built in 1949, the earliest reference we have to it is a short news report and photograph in "Model Engineer" of 1961 captioned "Mr Colin Spence drives a freelance 2-6-4 by Mr McLuckie of Falkirk club".

The engine was one of several attending the opening of a new 80 yard multi-gauge railway, laid as an oval by the Edinburgh Society of Model Engineers in the garden of one of their members, the event attracting more than 200 visitors.

In recent times the engine was stripped for a bottom end overhaul, completed two years ago. Shortly afterwards - Sod's Law being what it is - the boiler failed, whereupon the engine was stripped again and material gathered for making a replacement.

Events have overtaken the rebuild, the engine came to us recently in part exchange against an LNER A4 Pacific.

As far as we can see it appears to be complete, if part-dismantled awaiting its new boiler as shown in the pictures opposite. The chassis remains in one piece following its overhaul and can be run on air.

The more experienced builders will, no doubt, pick up the propane torch and get cracking in the shed - others may consider simply ordering a new boiler and letting somebody else do the hot work.

An interesting project, it would be nice to put this septugenarian back on the track where it belongs - it's a large, handsomely proportioned engine which appears capable of doing a good job of work.