15F Steam Locomotive model - South Africa

Hi Everyone, my name is Paul and I am from Johannesburg, South Africa. I hope I have posted this in the correct forum.

A family member was a fanatic with his steam trains. It took him 7 years to build his first miniature steam train, which ran successfully at the Florida and Centurion tracks, in South Africa.

He then started building a magnificent 15F steam train, and unfortunately passed away 3 years ago. He left this incredible project behind with us.

It is 95% completed, and everything (I mean EVERYTHING) - every single bolt, rivet, wheel etc., was hand made by him.

I would just like to know where the best place would be to sell such a work of art.

Any information would be really appreciated, and only serious buyers please - thank you.

My contact details are as follows (Hope I am allowed to post this info post on the forum):
Mobile: +2783-637-8084
[email protected]

Here is a link to the album where I have uploaded a few low resolution pics of his amazing handy work - more pics available on request.

**LINK**

More details:

Locomotive: 1.75m long x 500m H x 360mm W

Tender: 0.98m long x 450mm H x 360mm W

Wheel diameter 170mm

Gauge: 5.5"

Weight: Not sure, but would guess anything between 300-700kg (thumbsuck)

Link

Link

Edited By Duncan Armst

Bump

Paul,

I know nothing about steam train models but that is magnificent. What a shame that the builder ( what is his name?) did not see it completed. I wish you the very best with the outcome of this sad and uncompleted build.

Best Regards

Alan

I wouldn't usually do this but I've nicked your photo and put it in here so it's easier to view by the Model Engineer membership. (Tell me in this thread if you want it deleted)

Can you tell us the name of the builder as well please?

How long did he work on this project??

Credit for the builder is definitely deserved here and more photos would definitely be appreciated

If that's all 1/2" steel plate I'm looking at then I'm guessing at 750-1000kgs

Edited By Ady1 on 20/06/2013 08:16:57

Edited By Ady1 on 20/06/2013 08:24:26

Images can be found HERE

Hi Ady, thanks for that

I did post the link where the photos are stored, seems as it did not pull through the first time. Here is the link again below - hope it works.

CLICK HERE (or copy link and put it on your browser and hit ENTER)

http://s892.photobucket.com/user/madporra/library/Jana%2015F%20Train

Apologies - forgot to mention the owner's name .

His name is Don le Roux.

The locomotive is currently in Durban, South Africa.

He worked on this train for 5-7 years if not mistaken, but will confirm. I will also try and get an idea as to how thick the material is as well.

Thanks all!

Edited By Paul Pereira on 20/06/2013 10:02:10

Hi Paul,

Can you also confirm whether the gauge is actually 5", not 5.5"?

Finally, do you know whether the boiler is serviceable? It looks from your pic into the smokebox that there are 2 tubes/flues missing, suggesting none of the tubes are expanded in to the steel boiler.

Steel boilers are unfortunately not very well accepted in the UK, as they always corrode, however slowly (and a copper boiler well cared for does not), and the testing regime is more stringent. Other parts of the world are much more accepting of them, like Europe.

Good luck and I hope it finds a good home!

Edited By JasonB on 20/06/2013 16:17:43

Returning to you initial query have a look at this and contact you neares model engineering club for a face to face discussion. It is likely that he was a member anyway or at least known to them. The market in SA is smaller than Europe. You might consider establishing the cost of shipping to USA/Europe then contact either an auction house or one of many companies now specialising in selling models. (googling model locomotive for sale etc will draw them out)

There is of course also a classifieds section on this very website....

Hi guys, sorry this locomotive was sold last year some time.

Thank you for all the interest shown, I did not realise how many locomotive enthusiasts were around.

Cheers all!