{"product_id":"7-14-inch-narrow-gauge-0-4-0t-tom-rolt-stock-code-8279","title":"7 1\/4 inch narrow gauge 0-4-2T \"Tom Rolt\"","description":"A particularly well made 7 1\/4 inch gauge \"Tom Rolt\", based on the prototype built by the Talyllyn Railway as their No.7, using parts from a post-war three foot gauge Andrew Barclay well tank and entering service in 1991.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    I had the pleasure of driving this engine at the builder's club recently - very impressed, it's a thoroughly well-sorted piece of kit, free-steaming and easy to drive, with a good deal of power and the adhesive weight to use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    The builder is an experienced engineer with several fine locomotives to his credit. We sold his \u003ca href=\"\/products\/7-14-inch-gauge-alco-2-6-2t-stock-code-6227\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e7 1\/4 inch gauge Alco\u003c\/a\u003e last year - since finishing the \"Tom Rolt\" he's gone on to finish a fine GWR 14XX and is currently on with a Southern S15.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    The engine has robustly proportioned valve gear and motion with generous bearing surfaces, the backhead is well laid out with everything falling easily to hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    I particularly like the vacuum brakes, working on both locomotive and driving truck - it's a well thought out system, with vacuum reservoir behind the front buffer beam and brake valve high up on the left hand side of the cab.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e    It works very well although we rarely see vacuum braked locomotives - don't know why, I can attest to their effectiveness and ease of operation both from recent experience of \"Lyd\" on an early morning run up to Blaenau (courtesy of No.1 son, a fireman on the FR) and a drive some years ago, courtesy Chris Knibbs, of his superb Keith Wilson built GWR 47XX at the Ingfield Railway which is similarly equipped.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54019981377877,"sku":"8279","price":11500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/8279-1.webp?v=1779908961","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/7-14-inch-narrow-gauge-0-4-0t-tom-rolt-stock-code-8279","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}