NG Loco

Does nyone know of a 2ft engine for sale in need of restoration?

 

Preston Steam Services have some 2' steam
http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/locomotives.htm
Stupid money though, £250,000 iirc and from what I gather not in the best condition!

 

I'd like a narrow gauge loco to mess about with, fix up etc...

 

You are by no means the only one!

Something nice, with an interesting past, is just waiting for me to find it and restore it to former glory. . . . . . . . .

One day.

 

The reason they cost so much is precisely the reason you want to restore them- because they can be restored (if you follow). I will explain. The ng locos there are small, could fit inside a large garage, and do not require huge cranes and such to restore. once restored, they can be run around a large flat garden. A few guys can easily restore one, provided they can weld and have equipment such as lathes, drills, and maybe access to a coded welder. Per tonne of steel it could be argued that they are almost more expensive than buying an ex br engine, as their restoration requires far more people, a dedicated workshop, higher transport costs, and so on. I seem to remember the price for the luttermoller's (the more interesting engines) having a price of 25k, but needing restoration as well.

One person I know with a record of restoring engines has plans to do away with the tedium of finding an engine for sale and building a 2 ft engine in his garage with his dad. He has the tools, the experience, the space, a coded welder in his phone book and the designs for an engine he likes. And the budget is in the region of 30k. All it will lack is a history, but having been built from scratch that won't be the worry. there are plenty of engines out there that have taken this route.

 

If memory served me right I seem to remember there was a number of 2' gauge locomotives in cuba but whether there are any there now and feasibly restorable is another matter.

Regards

Duncan

 

So far everyone is assuming steam. Do you want steam, or would you consider diesel? There are lots of narrow gauge diesels around in need of restoration, and some of them are rather interesting, and can be relatively in-expensive.

 

No way thats amazing! I certainly wouldn't know where to start though

I'd happily restore a diesel

 

I would happily consider a diesel too.

Any suggestions of 2' Ruston's or Simplexes something like that would be greatfully recieved.

Understandably anyhting in the 2' gauge is pretty popular though I would guess.

R

 

i want a stemer! have just spent over 10 years restoring a traction engine from very derelict condition, so fancy something a little smaller! Have got all the gear, plenty of ideas(!) just need to find the right engine at the right price!

 

i want a hudson hunslet diesel with ailsa craig engine

 

You'll be very lucky to find a restorable 2' gauge steam loco in this country that doesn't fetch a premium price. Have you thought of trying to import one ?

Alternatively, you could consider a small new-build such as a Kerr Stuart Wren - I assume drawings are available as a number have been restored and there is at least one recent new-build. It would probably cost less overall at the end of the day.

Richard

 

Ask the Fr If you can overhaul the ALCo .

 

I think you will find that there might be quite a few stalled restoration projects that people would consider selling if a reasonable offer was made and they think it would be completed. The only problem is finding them there is a extensive list of NG loco available which might be a place to start.
I personally can think of one but one of the reasons it stalled was the requirement of a new boiler.

 

Alan Keefs deals in simplex and would be a good starting point again people with multiple loco are sometimes open to offers for locos lower down their restoration list. Best way to find this out is to go to railways and see if a unloved locos and ask about the owner

 

Yes indeed, Alan Keef may not have what you want in stock, but often know of locos that enthusiasts’ wish to sell.
There are other dealers that might be worth contacting – FMB Engineering, Oakhangar, Hants.
Heritage Transport Supplies, who advertise on http://www.tractionads.co.uk

Often it is not clear where the line between collector and dealer is – Statfold Barn is a case in point. And as has been said, any existing collectors may have locos that they could be persuaded to sell.
Bord na Mona in Ireland sometimes dispose of surplus locos, though they are 3ft gauge and can be on the large size – but a preserved Hunslet Wagonmaster would be an interesting project.

There is a book that may be of use. It lists all non Network Rail locos, 15” gauge and above, in UK and Eire, by location – so you can see where the big collections are. Called “Industrial Locomotives (Including preserved and minor railway locomotives”, colloquially known as “Existing Locomotives”, published by and available from the Industrial Railway Society – see http://www.irsociety.co.uk/ (yes, that is a shameless plug for a society I belong to!)

 

"Often it is not clear where the line between collector and dealer is – Statfold Barn is a case in point."


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Henry Noon
Statfold Barn Railway

 

Last time I visited Mr Howitt's premises in Wakefield, along with a Marshall Universal Steam Roller, there was also many components for a new build Kerr Stuart Wren. I wonder if they are still there?

 

A new boiler wouldn't be a problem - we can knock them up quite easily, especially in a smaller gauge! where do i find this "list"?