1 1/2 inch scale vintage freelance traction engine

A vintage model traction engine. Of freelance - possibly pre-war - design; we'd put it around 1 1/2 inch scale, measuring two and a half feet long and weighing in at nearly a hundredweight.

Scratch-built - apparently without castings - it is well-detailed with pleasing, rather quirky proportions.

The boiler is fired by a pressurised burner, with a tank in the tender fitted with a tyre valve for either a foot or bicycle pump.

The engine runs very well on air in both directions. In deference to its age and condition, we've made no attempt to test the boiler.