{"product_id":"3-inch-scale-minneapolis-traction-engine-stock-code-5486","title":"3 inch scale Minneapolis traction engine","description":"\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eAn unusual machine just arrived from a prolific builder - with  five other traction engines under his belt along with several locomotives, he's  now onto building a pair of 4 inch scale Savage \"Little Samsons\".\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eThis is a model of a 1915 Minneapolis 65hp traction engine -  built from his own drawings, patterns and castings, starting with three  photographs and ten key dimensions published in an American journal. The  original engine was a straw-burner with conveyor fed firebox (which I imagine  was kept pretty busy, wringing 65 horsepower out of bales of straw). The model,  rather more practically, is coal-fired although retains the double firehole  doors of the prototype.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eThere are a variety of useful additions which makes the machine  very much more practical on the road, including removable rubber tyres (the rear  wheels have cast strakes underneath), a deftly concealed second gear and  screwdown hand brake. It comes out as a massive machine in this scale, as long  and wide as a four inch scale Burrell agricultural and, at 850 pounds, not a  deal lighter. I can't remember the last time I rode (fairly) comfortably on the  back of a 3 inch scale engine - the last thing anywhere near this size was a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/archive\/2181\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFowler  K5 ploughing engine we sold back in 2004\u003c\/a\u003e, although checking just now in the  archive I was surprised to find out it was over a hundredweight lighter than the  Minneapolis.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eSteel boiler - originally built with expanded steel tubes, it  was re-tubed in 2009 in copper. 110psi working pressure, feed by Southworth twin  cylinder steam pump and Double B injector, there is a water lifter to pump water  into either tank - both tanks and coal bunker are in stainless steel. The pump  can draw water from either water tank on the engine, or a tank in a driving  truck - running this morning it easily kept up with the boiler, although needs  servicing including replacement of a couple of studs. The injector is set up for  feed from a remote tank. Twin safety valves mounted on the steam dome, blower is  in front of the dome, rod-operated from the footplate. There are a pair of  whistles mounted on the dome.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eCast iron cylinder and trunk guide with overhung crank. Slide  valve actuated by Woolf gear - nobody has ever satisfactorily explained to me  the functional difference between this and Hackworth, it seems like the same  thing with an extra few rods and pins, but I'm sure somebody will enlighten us.  Mechanical lubricator.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eThe original engines had a single, low speed to move about the  farm. The model has two speeds, selected by a lever next to the clutch - both  gears are considerably higher than the prototype, with high very usable on road  runs. The engine has a differential, mounted below the clutch.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eDriving is an interesting experience - it's been in steam all  morning, I've enjoyed it hugely. Basically give it some throttle, then feed in  the clutch - it takes up smoothly, before locking into the engaged position,  after which you drive just like an \"ordinary\" engine. Not as difficult  in practice as it sounds, \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=y5Aqlj5imJE\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ealthough  the clip I made of it this morning \u003c\/a\u003ereally needed three hands for throttle,  clutch and camera...\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eBelieved to be unique in the UK, the builder would be interested  to know if anybody else has made one. The engine is road-registered with V5.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eBoiler built 2000, engine completed and road-registered 2002\u003cbr\u003e  Hydraulic test 3\/12\/11 @165psi for 110psi working pressure, valid until 2\/12\/13\u003cbr\u003e  Steam test 3\/12\/11 @110psi, valid until 2\/2\/13\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eLength 69 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Height 32 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Width 29 inches\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eWeight 850 pounds (or three 3 inch scale Burrells and a sack of  coal)\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54020017619285,"sku":"5486","price":6950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/5486-1.webp?v=1779909597","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/3-inch-scale-minneapolis-traction-engine-stock-code-5486","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}