Moving to UK - need a loco

[michael]

Hi All

Funny how things turn out. Half a year ago I sold my un-completed Sweet Pea thinking I was never going to find a place to drive it. Then I get a phone call if I am interested in a job in the UK! Short of the long is that end of August we will be moving to the UK. I'm going to work in Hatfield and we plan to find a home in St. Albans or Harpenden. I see on the map that there is a model railway not too far away and there also seems to be a very active MES in the area.

So now I'm thinking - why did I ever sell that loco! I will have to start looking for a new one. Can any of the learned participants here tell me if it is possible to find a 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 in running condition for GBP 1000-1200?? Or is that unrealistic? If so, them I would consider building a Blowfly but would probably need to have the boiler built for me. What should I expect to have to pay for a boiler?

Sadly Chris Heapys for sale pages have not been updated for a long time. Is there somewhere else where I can look for locos for sale?

Any hints/tips will be much appreciated.

Michael

[ridleyian]

www.homeworkshop.org.uk/

[alanstepney]

There is also, www.stationroadsteam.co.uk/ and
www.steam-models.uk.com/stock.htm among several others.

However, I would move, join the local club (there are a couple in that area) and chat to the members. One of them may have, or know of, engines for sale. The prices may well be less than from dealers, and also you would be buying an engine of known performance / quality etc.

[michael]

Thanks for the advice Alan - I will do that. North London SME is in the area so I will look them up: www.nlsme.co.uk/

Cheers

Michael

[GeorgeRay]

You might find something that needs completing on e-bay however at times the prices are quite stupid. Of course its a case of caveat emptor. Some of the dealers advertise quite regularly including Steam models uk.

[michael]

The prices at the places Alan suggested are also quite scary. I have nowhere near that kind of money.

Michael

[gwrfan]

Hi Michael,

It's probably not a lot of help to you, but I know of two Sweet Pea's for sale in Devon, both owners are members of my own ME Club. For your guidance, one is £2,000 and the other, with a tender, is £2,500. I would think that is the 'going rate' for such a loco.

As for the NLMES, they have a wonderful track, and I used to go quite often when I lived in North London, although I wasn't actually a member. They are a very friendly group of people, and I bet you'll be made most welcome.

Regards from Cornwall

Geoff

[michael]

I have a loco! (2 actually). I found a very nice 0-4-0 saddle tank that a fellow 16mm Narrow Gauge modeller is selling. It is based on a Polly chassis and has current boiler certificate. It has only been steamed about 30 hours and looks in excellent condition.

At the same time I got offered a nice 3.5" gauge LBSC Ivy Hall loco with tender. The loco is in VGC and the price so low that I could not resist temptation.

Now I need to get a driving truck......

Michael