Beschreibung:

A well engineered 7 1/4 inch gauge model of a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Freelance Garratt articulated live steam locomotive 'Gordon Too', built by Mr R G Gray and completed 2017. A truly unique 'one-off', completely freelance design locomotive, derived round many Romulus castings, with distinct leanings towards others of the same Garratt format popular throughout Africa. Professionally built, steel boiler by Mr K Neate being of a standard Thomas 2 type, with internal regulator ball valve and being coal fired with stainless steel, three piece, fabricated grate. Twin glass encased, bronze 3-cock water gauge sight glasses. Independent drain-cocks, fitted to each chassis. Regulator, direction control lever and sliding fire-box door. Full working four-cylinders, Hackworth, slide valve, valve gear, driven from centre axles, polished working motion, wheel arrangement 2-6-2+2-6-2 with fully compensated suspension to all driving axles, and independent coils to the pony trucks. The locomotive has a large twenty gallon water tank on the front chassis which gives added adhesion, the driver sits on the rear chassis for the same reason. Two large 8-pint injectors fitted and a 4-note chime whistle. Steam brake to front chassis, handbrake to rear, and vacuum for train brakes. Sliding roof hatch which aids easy driving. Fluted motion with bronze motion bearings fitted with wick-feed oilers. Steam oil, separate mechanical twin ram pump feeding each steam-chest, motion and many other wick-feed oil cups. The model was hand build and completed 2017. Being finished in dark blue lined livery, similar to the Somerset and Dorset J.R. with working fitted headlamp, 4-chime whistle, handrails and rivet-work. Locomotive overall length 11ft 4ins. Please Note: The locomotive is sold together with a braked display/storage trolley on castors. Length 345cm. Width 55cm. Ground clearance 50mm. Boiler History: The locomotive comes with a past hydrostatic boiler test certificate and a steam test certificate which expired August 2019. This documentation will be available for inspection at the auction rooms.Also available is a full photographic log of approximately 750 photographs, of her build.To watch a YouTube video of her in action at Woodseaves M.R.(Salop), 'copy' and 'paste' this link to your browser www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2W_qnERvGsVendors Notes: "A truly unique 'one off' free-lance design, derived round many Romulus parts, with distinct leanings towards others of the same Garratt format that the builder watched in his youth in Central Africa. Originally conceived and built for a large public railway that unfortunately closed before her completion. Since completion she has resided at Woodseaves Model Railway, Salop, which is a little too small for her power and size. She has seen little serious running due largely to the pandemic, but is now beginning to ease out nicely and is running very sweetly, though will no doubt improve further with more use. A sliding roof hatch is fitted for easy driver vision of the controls and pressure gauge. The name 'Gordon Too' comes from a couple of sources. This is the 4th 7 1/4 inch gauge locomotive he has built. Hence running number No 4 is inescapable, as is Gordon as Four consecutive generations of his immediate family have Gordon in their name. He likes blue! The great Rev. Awdry had No 4 as 'Gordon, the big blue engine', so this just had to be Gordon as well (Too). "Or the Grand-children would have rebelled!". BOILER HISTORY DISCLAIMERPlease Note: All boiler history records and references made in this catalogue are made for guidance only and the auctioneers are not able to convey any guarantees or warranties as to the safety of the boilers or their present condition.