Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi Randy,

Having checked the photographs yet again and it turns out that the model uses a machined aluminium structure the only model I know using this technique was marketed in the UK by Tom Cooper.

Tom wasn't an engineer as such but he did a lot to promote gardens railways in 16 mm Scale.  He started by selling the German made Beck models in the UK and when they ceased trading he and some others bought the remaining stock and tooling and relocated manufacture to Wales with a name change to Merlin Locomotive Works.  They used up the remaining Beck components and went on to design their own models.  Some years later after Merlin was sold Tom had a bad car accident loosing a leg and with some of the insurance money he had designed a model locomotive that used early CNC machining.  I don't know how it was marketed possibly under his own name, I believe very few where made and I heard they didn't perform well. I think he named it after his late wife Alaine. I hadn't seen one until a few years ago where it was being offered for sale at a show.  It wasn't very expensive and I nearly bought it mostly because I knew Tom quite well and it was his fault that I ended up building a lot of 16 mm Scale models.

I my assumptions are correct he might have used some of the Beck components that were left over from previous constructions hence my thoughts it might be German, the type of piston valve on the cylinder used is very Beck. If as was said that originally the models didn't perform well they might have been modified by their owners.  I tried to find photographs on the internet but with no success however I have emailed a friend who might be able to help.  As to value if it was a Tom Cooper product I have no idea as there would seem to be very few around to give an basis.

Take care Tony.