Finding a good home for my Dad's engine

Hi everyone,

I wonder whether you could give me some advice. My father, over many many years, was building a steam engine. Sadly he passed away before it was completed, it's fallen to me to find a good home for his work.

I've uploaded soome photos to the album associated with my account. There are more photos on my Flickr account https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTzQrov

What would be the best way about finding a good home for this? eBay doesn't seem appropriate really. I'm more concerned about finding a new appreciative owner than maximising any value.

Really appreciate your thoughts,

Thanks

Richard

Hello Richard. Do you have any drawings associated with the engine or the traction engine wheels that may help in identifying what they are?

An approximate location may also help if anyone wants to see them once this lockdown is over.

Brian

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Is there anything like a test certificate in the paperwork?

You may get a good price with a professional servicing company, e.g Ben Pavier and there are a few others, that will pay the market rate then refurbish and rectify to add value and make a profit. If you ask enough you will find out the value.

Once it is all smartened up it will find an appreciative owner, no problem.

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Thanks so much for your replies. I've uploaded some photos of the drawings to my album on this forum, and also to my Flickr account **LINK**

I haven't found any drawings of the traction engine wheels yet.

The engine is currently located in Chepstow (not too far from Bristol). I live in Devon.

As you say br, there is some fine workmanship in that engine. I already have a number of Dad's projects though, and simply don't have room for this. I also think it should be worked on, rather than gathering dust in my spare room.

Thanks again

Richard

Regarding the pressure testing, I know that Dad had it successfully tested, but I have found no evidence to prove that.

As to what the source locomotive design may be:

The plans that you show in your last photograph are not directly relevant to this model. It is unlikely that your model is of a French prototype (used in France) as it has a 'pilot' ('cowcatcher' ) which were not (customarily) used in Europe. However, it may be a French design used in the French colonies or areas of influence.

The photograph that you uploaded with three photographs of real locomotives may be more relevant as there are striking similarities (albeit with some stark differences) between the photos and the model. Maybe these photos were taken in Australia?? The signals are distinctive and may aid identification. The paperwork in that photograph may shed some light on your father's inspiration as there is some commentary about the design of valve-gear and I can also see some documentation referring to French 'pacifics'. There is also the corner of some drawings of connecting rods (??) or similar visible, these may indicate the source design.

Your father's model is of a 'Mikado' rather than a 'pacific'. So, any references to pacifics indicate inspiration rather than the specific model.

The model may be a free-lance design incorporating some of your father's ideas rather than a strict copy of a particular type of locomotive.

Model Engineering Clearing House has a good number of Australian based locomotive enthusiasts and one of them may have a few ideas about the model.

Regards,

Phil

Edited By Weary on 10/01/2021 21:49:34

Very observant of you! My understanding is that Dad based his design on one of the French-designed engines that he observed when working in Nigeria in the 1960s.

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OK.

So, thanks for the info'.

Looks like you have a Nigerian Railways 'River' Class locomotive as built by Vulcan foundry in the UK and others elsewhere.

Your father built this at 1" to the foot scale. So it makes an interesting, meaty, and somewhat unusual model.

If you want to get an idea of price/value then you might want to browse Station Road Steam to get an idea of prices. There are other dealers too of course who may merit a browse. When you know 'how much you would like', then, as mentioned by others above,  a 'free' advert' on here or Model Engineering Clearing House may allow you to 'test the water' as you appear reluctant to list on ebay. The lack of any (test) documentation for the boiler will depress the value - dealers sell with boiler documentation. Knowing what the model is etc., will enable you to get a better price.

Please keep us (me!) posted.

Regards,

Phil.

Edited By Weary on 10/01/2021 22:14:03

Edited By Weary on 10/01/2021 22:19:33

I'm very grateful for this information and advice Phil. Thank you!

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It might be worth contacting the model engineering societies nearest to Chepstow (possibly Newport) as your father may have been a member and could well have had his boiler examination carried out by the club inspector. People there may remember him, and things he may have said about his work in progress.