4 inch scale freelance traction engine

A large, rather well proportioned traction engine of freelance design. based on a two speed agricultural engine, completed and steamed for the first time earlier this year.

Professionally-built steel boiler by Gloucester Steam, expanded tubes, fusible plug, hydraulic test to 240psi for maximum working pressure of 120psi - the safety valve is currently set for 90psi working. Feed by crankshaft driven pump, injector with auxiliary hand pump in tender. Water lifter with tender-mounted hose, there is a useful sight glass on the tender to show water level. Single cylinder with slide valve actuated by Stephenson's gear with pole reverser on footplate. Mechanical lubricator. Two road speeds, winch drum behind nearside rear wheen with fairleads on tender. Rubber tyres hot bonded to rims and ground to shape.

The builder regards it as a 4 inch scale engine - it is not the size of a 4 inch Foster or Burrell, but it towers over a 3 inch engine and is larger than a 4 inch Ruston Proctor I've currently got in the workshop. It runs very well - the videos were taken at the end of an afternoon's steaming yesterday when there was barely 10psi on the clock.