Vintage 1 inch scale traction engine

A two speed, three shaft steam tractor, I suspect built well before the war. Of freelance design, it's a well-detailed model with a twin cylinder engine, Stephenson's reversing gear and two speed transmission with differential.

In largely original condition, the paintwork and flamboyant lining are still in remarkable condition considering the engine is likely getting on for ninety years old.

Motionwork and valvegear is finely made, of elegant proportions it turns over very smoothly. Boiler is a water tube type, fired by liquid fuel - probably paraffin - with a pressurised blowlamp type burner installed on the manstand. Feed is by hand and mechanical pumps, the latter eccentric-driven from the crankshaft.

Wheels have rubber tyres, somewhat hardened with age. The chimney is loose and has had a brass shim wrapped around the base at some time to keep it upright.

It sold, second hand, in 1948 and is complete with its bill of sale from that time for thirty two pounds ten shillings - "five pounds down, the balance to be paid on or before April 25th 1948".

I'm very taken with this one - I think it's a beautiful old model, which needs a sympathetic home and no more than a light dusting once in a while to preserve it.