32/45mm narrow gauge Saxonia III K 0-6-2T

Full disclosure up front on this one - we think it's utterly fabulous! Quirky, narrow gauge, technically interesting, of handsome proportions - and in a great livery.

A Saxonia III K articulated 0-6-2T by Accucraft, a highly detailed model based on the class of six locomotives built for the Royal Saxon State Railways in 1889, with an initial pair built by Krauss and - in1891 - the remainder built by Hartmann of Chemnitz, a company that had manufactured its first steam locomotive in 1848.

Increasing traffic towards the end of the nineteenth century demanded more powerful locomotives to work the winding, steeply graded system - an engineering problem seen throughout the world, with narrow gauge railways adopting - as in the case of the Ffestiniog with their double Fairlies and Heywood with his radiating axle system - a variety of technically interesting designs.

In the case of the III K, the solution was to build a large 0-6-2 tank locomotive, not dissimilar in size and proportion to the Leek & Manifold 2-6-4Ts, but with radiating axles and articulated cab and bunker.

Heywood accommodated the variable wheelbase resulting from articulation by using fixed length coupling rods, the wheelsets pivoting on fixed, driven axles. Krauss took a different approach, with the ingenious Klose system of variable length rods compensating for the continuously varying axle centres. This was combined with a pair of cylinders mounted between the frames, with circular valve chests outside - an unusual configuration, adding to the distinctive looks of the design.

The result was a class of locomotives which, whilst capable of the work for which they were designed, were technically complex. Superceded by the IV K, a Günther-Meyer 0-4-4-0T design, they continued to work up until the First World War, their lighter axle loadings allowing greater route access while the network was slowly upgraded to heavier rail.

A few were sent to Serbia towards the end of the war, returning to Saxony after the cessation of hostilities before passing into Deutsche Reichsbahn ownership in 1920. Stored from 1923, by 1926 the entire class had been scrapped.

The model is 32/45mm gauge convertible, featuring a simplified version of the Klose valve gear and articulating cab. Introduced into the Accucraft range in 2009 to enthusiastic reviews, it's something of a rare find these days, this the first one we've ever had our hands on.

Fitted with radio control, it's in very good condition throughout, complete with transmitter, original box, operating instructions and manufacturer's certification for boiler and gas tanks. Mesmeric in motion, on test it steamed freely and ran well.

Includes free UK shipping.