5” gauge loco. Anyone know much about them
Discussion
Hi All
I have had this stored in my shed, probably for the best part of 20 years! It used to belong to my grandad who used to run it round our local county showground sites. It has the little coal store on the back but is actually powered by some sort of battery .
I know very little about it. I was told my grandad built it (and he was an engineer) and i remember having rides on it as a kid round the tracks, so i know it used to work.
I think its a 5" gauge but again, know very little about trains.
I was hoping to sell it and put the money towards some sort of automotive project but was wondering if anyone here knows about this sort of thing and would know potential value? obviously if it was steam powered, it would probably be worth more but i'd rather it be used than sit in my shed for another 20 years getting battered by bikes and kids and what not!
I was going to try and get it running with the help of an old car battery just to see if it runs, but again, not sure if this is the right idea!
Many Thanks for any help
James
/edit - to add pics
I have had this stored in my shed, probably for the best part of 20 years! It used to belong to my grandad who used to run it round our local county showground sites. It has the little coal store on the back but is actually powered by some sort of battery .
I know very little about it. I was told my grandad built it (and he was an engineer) and i remember having rides on it as a kid round the tracks, so i know it used to work.
I think its a 5" gauge but again, know very little about trains.
I was hoping to sell it and put the money towards some sort of automotive project but was wondering if anyone here knows about this sort of thing and would know potential value? obviously if it was steam powered, it would probably be worth more but i'd rather it be used than sit in my shed for another 20 years getting battered by bikes and kids and what not!
I was going to try and get it running with the help of an old car battery just to see if it runs, but again, not sure if this is the right idea!
Many Thanks for any help
James
/edit - to add pics
Edited by James_N on Thursday 25th February 14:47
I do plan to get it going but it's not something I'm realistically going to use. My grandparents once bought me a Citroen 2CV as a young boy but it rusted away before I got chance to drive it and my parents scrapped it. I regret never driving it so I was going to get this running and sell it and put the funds towards a 2CV project.
Agree, I’d want to get it running and have a ride behind it on a local park track! Probably a lot easier with it being electric rather than live steam. No critical safety issues to overcome.
Local model engineering society would be my first port of call. Someone may even recognise it?
Local model engineering society would be my first port of call. Someone may even recognise it?
lufbramatt said:
Agree, I’d want to get it running and have a ride behind it on a local park track! Probably a lot easier with it being electric rather than live steam. No critical safety issues to overcome.
Local model engineering society would be my first port of call. Someone may even recognise it?
Thanks, yes I did try them but they are closed and even their email bounces back. Maybe I'll have to try after covid and in the meantime, try and get it running. Assuming a car battery wouldn't do it any harm just to power it up and see if it works!Local model engineering society would be my first port of call. Someone may even recognise it?
Simpo Two said:
You don't have to use it, you could just keep it as a Nice Thing. But if not, think of the lowest price you'd take for it then put it on eBay with that as reserve. One day you might regret selling it though.
If I can put the money towards a 2CV and eventually drive that around, I'd be a happy bunny. Yes eBay might be a good shout. I'll see if I can get it running first!James_N said:
lufbramatt said:
Agree, I’d want to get it running and have a ride behind it on a local park track! Probably a lot easier with it being electric rather than live steam. No critical safety issues to overcome.
Local model engineering society would be my first port of call. Someone may even recognise it?
Thanks, yes I did try them but they are closed and even their email bounces back. Maybe I'll have to try after covid and in the meantime, try and get it running. Assuming a car battery wouldn't do it any harm just to power it up and see if it works!Local model engineering society would be my first port of call. Someone may even recognise it?
lufbramatt said:
Yea that’s understandable. Do they have a Facebook page at all? I follow a couple of local ones just out of interest (and for knowing when they are having running days as the kids love a ride!)
No which is unusual in this day and age. I just wanted a bit more info on it and a rough price if it runs. Would rather it went to someone who was going to use it, especially if local!Pat H said:
Yep.
Think long and hard before parting with it.
I sold my late dad’s old motorbike and really wish I hadn’t.
I do get what people are saying, and our lad said the same, he thinks its cool, but the reality is, its just sat in a shed. I've always wanted to replace the 2cv that i never got to drove, and if I could sell this, it could go towards that. I am sentimental but i see no point keeping something I am genuinely not going to use and not that interested in. Its just taking up room in our shed and getting battered by bikes and scooters!Think long and hard before parting with it.
I sold my late dad’s old motorbike and really wish I hadn’t.
Therefore, if I can sink the money into something i can actually use and get pleasure out of, in a project 2CV, then I'm sure my grandad would be happy with that rather than it sit in the shed for another 20 years and be knackered!
James_N said:
Steve_D said:
The terminals in your picture are not car battery style so it may not be 12 volt. Unscrew the bulb we see in the picture and see if it is marked with a voltage.
Steve
I'll have a look when i get home, thank you!Steve
James_N said:
My grandparents once bought me a Citroen 2CV as a young boy but it rusted away before I got chance to drive it and my parents scrapped it. I regret never driving it so I was going to get this running and sell it and put the funds towards a 2CV project.
Your grandparents sound like legends!Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff