{"product_id":"4-inch-scale-fowler-showmans-engine-stock-code-2303","title":"4 inch scale Fowler showmans engine","description":"\u003cp\u003e4 inch scale model of a Fowler R3 SRL, built in 1982 by the Thorn Lighting  Apprentices, Leicester using Plastow castings and drawings. Built to a high  standard, it won the Students Cup at that year's Model Engineer Exhibition and  was written up in the Model Engineer magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eAlthough normally on display at the Thorn works, it was used on frequent  occasions before being sold in 1997. The condition of the boiler may well have  had a bearing on the decision to sell as, in the hands of its new owner, the  boiler failed shortly after purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eA new, welded-steel boiler with expanded tubes was ordered from the  highly-regarded Valentine Engineering of Raunds (who had a good reputation for  full-size traction engine boilers before their untimely demise) - at the same  time the opportunity was taken to increase the working pressure from the  original 110psi to 150psi, which is rather more useful for a compound engine.  The engine was reassembled in three months, since when it has been used on  infrequent occasions in the owner's back garden.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eSteel boiler with expanded-in tubes, feed by mechanical pump with bypass and  injector. The mechanical pump can be uncoupled from the drive rod allowing a  handle to be attached to provide a hand pump - the previous owner used this for  boiler tests. Twin cylinder, compound working with slide valves actuated by  Stephenson's valve gear. Three speed transmission with differential, winch  behind left hand rear wheel with tender-mounted fairleads.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe rear of the canopy has been cut away to allow easier access for driving -  there is a tender-mounted seat which gives a very comfortable riding position.  With its rubber tyres and long-legged high ratio, this would be a very capable  engine for the local traction engine club road runs.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe dynamo generates 24 volts to power the canopy lights. It works very well,  although substituing clear bulbs in place of the current coloured items would  show off the brass to considerably better effect as well as making the thing  look less like a mobile bordello.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eIn addition to the engine, there is a 20 Keyless McCarthy organ with over 35  books of music and a pneumatic-tyred trolley - this can be used either for the  organ or, with its seat attached, passengers. The engine will generate to drive  the organ, alternatively it can run off its own internal batteries.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eI have steamed and driven this engine several times and rate it highly.  Underneath the rather tired paint and grubby exterior is a very well built  engine which is still in fine mechanical order, with an excellent boiler. Last  week I steamed it for a friend who wanted to have a play - it was in steam from  5 o'clock in the afternoon until after dark, the last two hours it generated  continuously on the belt, gently rocking back and forth with a roaring fire, the  needle never below 140psi.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThere are two things which will require immediate attention on the engine.  Firstly, the electrics (both engine and organ) are all 24 volt which is  completely safe, however they have been wired up with 240 volt plugs and  fittings, which would allow them inadvertently to be plugged into the mains.  This is lethal and new plugs need to be fitted. Secondly, the boiler has never  been fitted with a fusible plug from new - on an engine this size, it is essential. The firebox is of 8mm plate throughout, a 1\/4 BSP plug  could be threaded in directly.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eLength 84 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Weight approx 3\/4 ton\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54009831194965,"sku":"2303","price":13500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/2303-1.webp?v=1779899304","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/4-inch-scale-fowler-showmans-engine-stock-code-2303","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}