{"product_id":"3-14-inch-gauge-midland-railway-no-863-4-4-0-stock-code-12097","title":"3 1\/4 inch gauge Midland Railway 4-4-0 No.863","description":"A 3 1\/4 inch gauge Midland Class 3 4-4-0, we believe commercially made although carrying no maker's plate. Possibly built by or for Bassett-Lowke - who had produced a Midland 4-4-0 as far back as 1904 - the gauge and method of construction would indicate early twentieth century, we'd hazard a guess at around 1910.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    Designed by Johnson who had been chief mechanical engineer of the Midland Railway since 1873, the Class 3 4-4-0s comprised a total of 80 locomotives, built between 1900 and 1905. They proved successful on express services, in part due to an all new boiler design, its Belpaire firebox a first for a Midland Railway locomotive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    The model is in remarkable condition for its age, apparently retaining its original paintwork and lining. The motionwork and valve gear is very finely made and fitted - silky smooth to turn over, it runs absolutely beautifully on air. There is some wear - most noticeably in the coupling rod bushes - which is unsurprising given its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    At some stage a \"Metropolitan\" whistle by J.Hudson of Birmingham has been neatly fitted beneath the drag beam.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    Out of respect for its age and archaic method of construction, no attempt has been made to strip and test the boiler, which is fitted with a vintage Schäffer \u0026amp; Budenberg pressure gauge. An ashpan is fitted, which in the past has been connected to damper controls on the footplate - the grate is missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e     A handsome, beautifully made model - it needs conservation not restoration, with the lightest of cleaning and oiling to preserve it for another hundred years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    We would be pleased to hear from anybody who has further information on the maker or history of this engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    \u003cbr\u003e    \u003ciframe width=\"353\" height=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ldx6PAz0ubk?si=rsjuYQ4q9dbX-TfU\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54020058054997,"sku":"12097","price":2100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/12097-1.webp?v=1779910213","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/3-14-inch-gauge-midland-railway-no-863-4-4-0-stock-code-12097","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}