7 1/4 inch gauge "Thomas II" 0-4-2T

An early stage 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge 0-4-2 to Roger Marsh's "Thomas II" design - built as one of a pair, it's sibling was finished and sold some years ago.

This one remained on the back burner for nearly twenty years until the builder, a retired engineer now in his eighties, decided to rationalise some of his larger projects, including a 7 1/4 inch gauge Hunslet and 4 inch scale Burrell which we sold last year, to concentrate on more manageable-sized things.

Work to date comprises a rolling chassis complete with cylinders, wheelsets and flycranks, along with a welded steel boiler.

The cylinder castings have some minor flaws, affecting the port face on one which needs another cut across it to take out a small blowhole near one port, and several small cavities near the valve chest bolting holes on one side. These could either be welded up and remachined, helicoiled or simply drilled and threaded right through.

Boiler is welded steel with expanded in tubes, tell-tale drillings in all stays, with plates and tube prepared and assembled by the builder before being welded up "on the night shift at a major engineering works in Dagenham" according the builder!

Done as a "cash job" there is, unsurprisingly, no documentation with the boiler however a twice working pressure hydraulic test at 250psi showed no signs of leaks or deflection, all plates are stamped with material specification, the boiler serial number is stamped on the backhead.

Pictures opposite show the engine in its current state along with some pictures of the other engine of the pair - started at the same time - standing outside the builder's workshop when first completed.

Lots of work still to do, however there are a number of shortcuts for those without time or machinery to complete. Model Engineers Laser have a large range of profiled parts and castings available for the locomotive and tender. Our friends at 17D have machined several sets of parts for this design and could supply much of what is required to complete a running chassis.

For those with the time and machinery, laser cut parts for the cab and running boards, along with material for the motionwork and valve gear - sufficient material material to get the engine to an air-running state - could be bought at modest cost.

A large, powerful engine when complete - we sold one last year, further information and pictures in the archive here.