Buying second hand locos

Where / who is good or bad to buy 7 1/4" steam locos?


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stationroadsteam seem to have a good reputation both for second hand locos and their own 'Stafford' new builds


Keith

 

You could start with the sales/wants on the 7 1/4"g. Soc'y website http://www.sevenandaquarter.org/sales-and-wants/?/Engines+&+Rolling+Stock/ Private sales are often cheaper as there is no dealer 'mark-up' but you do have more 'come-back' with a dealer if the loco isn't up to scratch. Avoid anyone who won't let you test it first (IIRC a certain dealer in Birmingham doesn't!). Beware of 'dodgy' boiler certs. - take your club boiler inspector with you if you're in a club and if not join one. Apart from the support you'll get you may find someone in the club has a loco with a known history for sale.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

I was advised by my oldest sons grandfather that you need to be wary as many loco's are not quite 'square' relative to the track if that makes sense.

 

Exmoor Steam Railway?

 

69621, what type of loco are you after?

I'm a little on the bias side I'm afraid as I assist friends of mine at The Steam Workshop, but I can offer the following advice.

Mike at Station Road Steam is certainly very professional. If you're not happy with anything then he'll be happy to offer a full refund as long as its in the the same condition and within a reasonable timescale. The Stafford's are built in house so replacement parts are available to order if you require any repairs, but there's likely to be a reasonable waiting time should you wish to put your name down for a new one.

As marshall5 has already indicated, you may be able to negotiate a better financial deal with a private sale, but you need to be fully aware of what you're buying as you are taking on the full risk of sale. From my own experience the vast majority of engines bought from private sales or auctions require work of some sort before you can take it to a track to play. I'd advise to stick to engines that you've had experience of and can buy direct form the owner if you're going to take this route, or at least prepare yourself for the need to do wok.

The Steam Workshop are the only dealer that i'm aware of that will actually service a loco before its sold (unless stated otherwise in the advert/or verbally by Simon, for instance if it was only ever a display model and never steamed, then it may not be appropriate to steam test), film the boiler test to protect both the purchaser and supplier, and to repair any unforeseen emergent issues. Most dealers will only offer a refund.

If you are new to the hobby then I suggest you are best protected buying through a reputable dealer. Alternatively, spend some time at your local club and buy from someone you know and trust.

Hope that helps.

Paul

 

My advice is whatever you do, don't buy from Ebay. I've heard many stories after people have bought loco's from Ebay only to find they aren't up to scratch or don't have any paperwork. If you really want to buy from Ebay, go see the loco first.

 

Couldn't agree more..... or Craigslist....... or 'antique shops'...... or anything listed as "rare" or "collectible"! Beware of any ad. where the seller appears to know nothing of live steam locos - the "my grandad built this" brigade.
What type/scale of loco are you interested in? Rough guide price? Does it have to be 'ready to run' or one requiring finishing off? What skills/experience/workshop facilities do you have? Not trying to be nosey but just trying to give you some pointers.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

May I ask, is this enquiry to do with the new 7.25 inch gauge line under construction at Southwold Steamworks?

 

Seeing as his last dozen posts have been about Southwold it wouldn't be an unreasonable assumption. Unfortunately he hasn't bothered to give us any further information so I am not going to waste any more of my time offering advice.
Ray.

 

I fail to see why you have got yourself in a state just because I am not glued to this site and instantly reply!
Yes there is a track being built in Southwold for which locos will eventually be sought. My post was merely asking where was good and not so good.
Sorry you got your knickers in a twist.


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No need to be rude. I, mistakenly, thought you wanted advice as newcomer to live steam. Obviously I was wrong.
Ray.

 

I am far from a newcomer! I've been involved with live steam from 5" to standard gauge as well S road steam for 30 years. Including restoring a derelict traction engine. Just not had to buy anything small, and a guy I know has and has had nothing but issues with it.


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69621

I know of several option's that may be of interest to you, but it will ultimately depend on what kind of use you want it for, the railway you intend on running at and what type of prototype you're after.

Assuming you want a narrow gauge prototype for passenger hauling then there's a Romulus 0-4-oWT that was being rebuilt for a customer which has had to pull out of the agreement and is now available. This can be finished to the customer's specification and would result in a custom built engine, brand new boiler with a guarantee. Something slightly cheaper is a Romulus finished in the style of a Bagnall saddletank, full working order but has previously been used. Or something a little bigger that's available is a recently rebuilt D&RGW C19 (Class 70) that I had the pleasure of playing with at a private railway yesterday.

There's some standard gauge engines that I could point you in the direction of too. Happy for you to PM me if any of those options are of interest to you?

Kind Regards

Paul