5" Gauge Steam Loco

[.Adam.]

Has anyone had any experience with 5 gauge model steam locomotives? My late father-in-law was a keen model maker, he built several large remote controlled boats, one steam powered, and then progressed to trains.
He was making his own steam train, but purchased a 5" gauge locomotive from a well respected builder he knew, which he used to run locally at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent.

My mother-in-law has recently pulled it out from it's storage, and is thinking of selling as it seems a shame for it to not be used. It needs a boiler test, but the local club they belonged to for years aren't being helpful as she is no longer a member, so does anyone know where to go to get a boiler test, preferably in the South East? We would also like to get a valuation, she has had an offer, but having no idea what this is worth we don't know if it is fair.

Picture of the loco for reference:

Edited by .Adam. on Friday 9th August 15:04

[rolster]

Hi there, if your looking to sell the engine then don't bother going to far with a boiler test, as whomever buys it will have to have it tested before being used on their local club track, or would test it themselves before running it on their own track.

If you don't have the knowledge or ability to do the test yourself then don't mess with it and accept a little off the price if someone argues over it. If you have any video or pictures of it under steam in the not so distant past it should help settle any potential buyers nerves. Its very easy to damage the boiler without understanding where the weak areas are and what can distort easily if stays or such have corroded or parted.

Sorry i cant help you much with anyone that would do a boiler test in the south east as its been a long time since i was based in the U.K.

I am however surprised to hear your fathers old club was not interested in helping out. If there are some decent tools around that your family does not want to keep then perhaps you could suggest a trade off for a boiler test. Bear in mind that to do a proper boiler test all the fittings would need to be removed and plugged so there is a lot of time and therefore labour involved.

Is the person that built the engine in the first place still around and if so might he help you?

As for price you had best check allot of the agency websites that sell models regularly and see which one of same engine type is of a similar build quality as the one you have and determine a guide price from that. The build quality and level of detail applied makes a huge difference in the price.

Some people build to run and others build to compete and display and others still build as best as they are able to and run them for fun.

Sorry i cant offer you much more concrete advise but hopefully you might find something within my ramblings to guide you in a direction.

[.Adam.]

Thanks for the reply. Doing a bit more research I have found a company quite local to me who sell, build and repair these, so have sent them an email to see what they advise.
It's built to a very high standard apparently, it was even exhibited in Japan!

[GreengiantPH]

As you are in Maidstone I would contact Maxitrak for advice as a starter.
https://maxitrak.com/
Martin

[.Adam.]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've been in contact with them and it sounds like they can do everything we need.

[808 Estate]

That is a superb model locomotive.

[.Adam.]

To my untrained eye it looks amazing, especially as it's been in a cupboard for over 20 years.

[dhutch]

rolster said:

I am surprised to hear your fathers old club was not interested in helping out.

Agree with that.

Whats the second most local club!?

[.Adam.]

My mother in law still has friends at the club, but the current people in charge aren't at all helpful. Not sure where the next nearest club is, but Maxitrak seem to be well regarded, local and possibly might be able to help sell it as well if she wants.