I got this in the package deal with the Doll ship engine. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Who made it, value? Thanks
I know nothing about it and can't help you there , but it looks like a pretty nice loco.
Is it Gauge 1 Scale Randy?
It looks very familiar.
@TonyBird may be able to provide some insights.
Hi Randy/Charlie,
Sorry I cannot be a great deal of help. It looks a commercial made or built using commercially made components. I am pretty sure it wasn't made in the UK mostly because of the large pressure gauge though it does have psi as well as bar. The cylinders look like the ones Beck used on their models also the fact it looks as if it is Gauge 1? The safety valves look more like the ones made and used in Mainland Europe a guess would be German. Would it possibly be American? I am not very familiar with American made models. If I come up with any other ideas I will be in touch.
Take care Tony.
Thanks. I know nothing about trains. Don't know how to tell what gauge it is. To me it looks English made.
Hi Randy,
I have just had a look at an enlarged view of your photographs.
Question - Is the chassis including buffer beams, side tanks and footplate machined from a block of aluminium. Sorry all British terms. If they are my guesses could be completely wrong, the model might have been made in the UK and possibly even in Wales.
The gauge is the distance between the rails. G scale which is similar to gauge 1 is 45 mm or 1.75". Gauge 0 is 32 mm or 1.25"
Take care Tony.
Randy:
You might consider emailing Jason Kovac at thetraindepartment@gmail.com.
Jason has been a long time vendor at Cabin Fever (in 2020 his booth was back in the RC Room). He is quite knowledgeable and helpful. His phone number is 782-770-9625.
I note that his website seems to be down and I hope his business was not another victim of the COVID shutdown.
Charlie
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.
Hi Randy/Tony,
I agree with Tony, when I first saw the photos I immediately thought Beck or Merlin. However on closer inspection, although the cylinders look very much like Beck/Merlin they have different front cylinder caps. Also, all the Beck models that are standard that I have seen have a similar large pressure gauge but they only had the scale in bar not psi.
This one has got me stumped. Very nice looking loco though 👍👍
Cheers, Alan.
Randy:
@TomyBird has some more information for you on the Loco.
You might PM him.
Charlie
Thanks everyone for your help. I've been a little busy lately and haven't been able to reply.
Hi Randy/Charlie,
My friend Derek has come up with information on the model locomotive and if I have up loaded correctly some photographs and text are on page 14 of the attachment.
Take care Tony.
Interesting article . I agree with it that this engine has a 7/8 scale look .
Nile
Thanks again for all your help. I've added a couple more pictures. I measured the wheels and best I can tell it's 1.750 or 1 3/4. The chaise is machined from aluminum along with the side tanks. One tank on left is oil tank. The other is just for looks.