3" Fowler Showmans

Here we have an absolutely stunning scratch built 3" scale model of a Fowler Showmans engine.  This is not your average model, it is an extremely accurate one off, scratch built over a period of 16 years by an extremely talented model engineer Mr L.G.Formilli as a direct copy of the full size engine, which sadly is no longer with us.  The detail and accuracy is incredible, even down to the beautifully done 'Bundaberg' engraved on the injector, made again as a direct copy of the one on the full size engine.  Even the running lamps are working with tiny little wicks and paraffin pots!

Stainless Steel features a great deal in the build.  All the motionwork is stainless as are all the controls, smokebox door etc.  The cylinder block is also fully fabricated from stainless steel and all welded up to ensure that there are ample port spaces for good steam flow and indeed there are no castings used in the whole build!  Even the massive flywheel is machined from a huge chunk of stainlesss!

We hydraulic tested the boiler to twice WP and everything is nicely dry.  Then we steam tested her a few days ago and she runs incredibly smoothly and silently as you'd expect, so as always she can come with full hydraulic tests and steam tests so she's ready to play.  Everything was super full of oil, including the water feeds,... so we're in the process of cleaning everything up before a second steaming of which we hope to put together a nice film.  Make no mistake though this is an absolute gem model and an extremely accurate representation of the prototype.

Here's the article from the model engineer describing the build of the model which adds a lovely bit of colour and history.