3 1/2 inch narrow gauge Alco 2-6-2T "Mountaineer"

A 3 1/2 inch narrow gauge Alco 2-6-2T to Don Young's "Mountaineer" design, drawn up from measurements taken from the preserved engine at the Ffestiniog Railway.

We're not entirely sure if this is part-built, or part-dismantled, however it rolls freely and the boiler appears sound from the cursory hydraulic test we carried out, hampered by profusely leaking fittings.

There are various jobs to attend to and missing parts to replace, including various pieces of pipework, freeing off a seized regulator and replacing missing drain cocks.

On air the engine attempts to run, half a revolution of the wheels currently about as much as it can manage.

Large for this gauge, the locomotive is three and half feet long and weighs in at nearly 180 pounds.

A worthwhile project and, with the original currently undergoing fast-track restoration, a challenge to see who can finish first!