By the late 1800s, France’s Decauville Manufacturing Company had established themselves as builders of reliable and simple to operate narrow gauge steam locomotives. Many of their designs were intended for use in agricultural, mining, and light industrial settings. One such loco was a Decauville Type 1, 3-ton 0-4-0T built in 1899, construction #302, for the Dombe Grande Sugar Estates in what was then the Portuguese territory of Angola. The loco was named Bathala. In 1930, after three decades of dependable operation, Bathala was placed in a museum on the company’s grounds. This act ultimately led to her survival from the civil war and turmoil which impacted that country decades later.
After being ‘found’ again in 2003, and after nearly two years of negotiations, the loco finally made its way to Johannesburg. In what is perhaps a world record for locomotive restoration, the work was completed in only four months! Bathala can now be found operating at the Sandstone Steam Railroad in Bloemfontain, South Africa.
In light of the success of our Quarry Hunslet in this scale, used to represent 2′ gauge on 45mm track, we feel that another gauge-adjustable 7/8ths” loco will be well received. The more generous proportions of models in this scale offer the opportunity to look at prototypes which would be rather too small in 1:19 scale but which we have long hankered after. The model is gas fired and fitted with a water top up valve, water gauge with blow-down valve, miniature pressure gauge; constructed of stainless steel and etched brass, the loco has an enhanced level of detail made possible by this scale including a reversing lever and brake stand / gas control valve.
Specifications:
Scale: 7/8ths” to 1 foot (1:13.7)
Length: 208 mm (8.19 inches)
Width: 110.5 mm (4.35 inches)
Height: 181.6 mm (7.15 inches)
Weight: TBA
Min Radius: 2′ radius
Gauge: Adjustable to either 32 mm or 45mm
Boiler: Centre Flue
Working Pressure: 60 psi
1/2” Pressure Gauge
Water sight glass
Full backhead detail
Slide valve cylinders with fixed cut-off
Full Walschaerts valve gear
Fuel: Butane Gas
Colours available subject to production batch:
B77-531 Decauville 0-4-0T in Maroon
B77-532 Decauville 0-4-0T in Green
B77-533 Decauville 0-4-0T in Black
Each version also features an attractive contrasting colour lining.
For any more information please don't hesitate to give us a bell on 07816 963463
£1475.00
