1/2 scale traction engine

[Rich J]

I'm looking at a smaller steam engine built in 1956 in Ohio. It's out on the east coast and I'm trying to decide if it would be a really good (fun) idea or the biggest headache I've ever had. So I'm very open to ideas and suggestions.

The steam engine weights about 5125 pounds (with 125 gal of water), has rubber tires, looks like it runs real nice on the videos. The fellow that owns it said he has had it ultrasounded and does a hydro test every year and there are no issues to be concerned with. He did sat the next maintenance item to anticipated would be the replacement of two stay bolts on the top of the boiler - he said they were at about 60% right now.

It's 1300 miles to the engine. Any thoughts on buying an engine without a personal inspection? How about ideas for shipping the engine vs driving for a week to get it?

Here is the link to the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TOJfkGUu2A&feature=player_embedded

He has about 8 videos of the engine.

The ebay link is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160422497488&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123


As you can tell, I don't really know what to think on this - looks like fun - but don't have enough experience to see if it's a good deal. If someone else buys it to take to Rollag - that would be fine also - as long as I got to drive it once in a while ;-]

Any thoughts - either public posts or private messages would be appreciated.

Rich J

[Ned]

Scale model engines can be fun but if you are seriously considering buying an engine wether its full size or a scale you should get as much info as you can on the engine and the state boiler laws.
My third scale engine had a brand new code boiler made for it in 1990 and in North Dakota the boiler is rated at 150 psi but 137 psi in MN so you can see different states different laws.
Information is the most important thing you can get!!! or it could end up costing alot more than just the inital investment

Erik "ned" Mars :smilie_flagge13:

[M Kerkvliet]

I have no idea as to the value of an engine like this, but I agree with Ned... Be very careful with what you buy without a local boiler inspector looking it over, or at least giving you some advice. It would be a shame to buy a static display.

It is a cute little engine, and with the rubber tires it would be a great parade engine!

[Neal Heminger]

I'll add my two cents worth also.
It looks like a free lance 1/2 scale. Something I believe to be wary of.Some are built very well others, well.... Another thing that might raise some red flags is that its listed on Ebay. So you would have all the extra fees that go along with Ebay, final selling fee etc.etc. etc.

[40avery]

Just my opinion but I think you should put the money you would blow on this unit in the bank and let it gain interest until you can buy into a real steam engine.

[Rich J]

Thanks for everyone's comments. This sure is one quick way to learn a lot. One of the private comments that seems obvious - once someone told me - is if you are really interested - pay for a state boiler inspector to inspect and hydro the boiler for you. Then you have a better idea of what you're getting. I think I had one of those afflictions (that seems fairly common) of seeing something - getting really excited about it - then, if I don't buy it right away, the reality of the situation prevails and the "got to have it now" fades. One really nice thing about this is all I learned from those that posted comments or sent me private messages. Will I end up with this engine - probably not but I'll sure have a better idea of what to look at in the future.

Thanks all.

Rich J.