Here we have what can only be described as a little 'Gem'! At first glance you may be forgiven for thinking that this is nothing special,..... but look a little closer and read a little further because the beauty is in the detail! She is a 3 1/2" gauge freelance 2-4-0 model. Designed and built by Ted Parker, who was a draughtsman at Doncaster locomotive works, this lovely little thing was by his own description an amalgamation of all his favourite design aspects of the locomotives that he's worked on. Now we don't know Ted's employment history, but we can see traces of GWR design ethic, LMS,.... even North British cues before anything Doncaster inspired! We are assuming that he served his apprenticeship along side Stanier working through projects by Dean & Churchwood. 🙂
The end result though is a particularly endearing little thing, that at first sight appeared to us a little clumsy, but as soon as you look at the quality of workmanship and the attention to detail suddenly becomes a real work of well thought out art. Working sanders for a start tell you that this is no ordinary 3 1/2" attempt,..... there are coil springs on the front axle protected by a shroud, leaf springs on the lead driving wheels and a transverse leaf between the rear wheels just in front of the firebox between the frames. The blower is in the smoke box, operated by a delicate rod held in stantions down the barrel, the 5 drain cocks are actuated from the cab by another beautifully delicate linkage. The running board tool box is actually the lubricator. There's a hand water pump in the front tank, and the rear bunker is also full of water. There is a clever system of funnels and shoots with a secondary firehole door that clip satisfyingly onto the footplate to enable firing in such a narrow space.
The brakes all work, the valve gear and general machining work and plate work is done with a finesse and skill that cries out for someone to step in and rescue the slightly tired paintwork and bring this model back up to be the exhibition quality model that it once must have been.
For more information please don't hesitate to give us a bell on 07816 963463
Sorry It's Sold!
£3000 - as she is but re-commissioned and ready to play
£5000 - Fully restored, re-painted and given the fresh start she deserves!
