STOLEN Ref: 2002-010 - 5" Freelance 0-6-0 Tender Loco

(no photo at present)

This model was stolen from the Charterhouse Square London area in the UK on 25th May 2002.

Length: approx 1350mm
Width: approx 250mm
Height: approx 300mm
Weight: approx 100lbs

The loco is also unique but is similar to a “Polly” design, currently built by JGS Clarke Ltd.

The engine has been repainted in Midland Red with black edging, separated by yellow lining about 2mm wide, applied in paint using a lining pen. Wheels are black and buffer beams pillar-box red. All paint is cellulose. The cab interior, roof and smokebox are semi-matt black.

Unique features:

It is not a scale model of any known locomotive. Paintwork is Midland Red, with Black borders and yellow lining, separating the 2 colours. All paint gloss cellulose, and in mint condition.
There are no brakes or reversing gear of any kind. The only cab fittings are a water gauge, pressure gauge and throttle, plus 2 footplate-mounted axlebox oilers, and the firebox door has no locking catch. The rear axlebox oilers are located inside the cab and painted black.
There is a boiler feed pump operated by an eccentric on the front axle.
The cab is completely bolted together, the front plate being split in two vertically along its centre-line.
There is a distinctive mechanical lubricator on each side of the footplate above the centre axle, powered by a rod made from radio control operating rods (most unusual), attached to a crank on the rear axle. These two lubricators plus 6 of the 8 cylindrical oilers on the footplate are also red, black and lined yellow.
There are coupling hooks but they lack chains.
The dome is painted because the fixing screw is off to one side and I needed to disguise it.
All the fluting on the connecting rods (all made from thick steel) is filled with black paint.
The display plinth has the rails mounted as described, rather than on sleepers.
The paintwork was in mint condition
No boiler cert
6 wheel tender outside framed, and with coal rails, painted and lined to match loco.
Distinctive display plinth -It consists of a plinth and a baseplate below. The plinth was made from MDF, internally braced and measures 1550 x 374mm, x 60mm deep. It appears black in the photos but is actually speckled with several shades of black, charcoal grey and gunmetal paint to give a subtle marble effect. The baseplate beneath is 450 x 1600 mm and painted black matt. The top of the base unit drops into the base unit itself, and is of varnished ½” plywood with the chairs and aluminium rails painted with a realistic rust effect.

If you have any information on this model please contact Snow Hill Police Station, 5 Snow Hill, London EC1A - tel: 020 7601 2222 quoting Crime Ref. No. 004513/02

You can also send information by email to stoleninfo@modelsecure.com

[First published: 19th June 2002, Updated: 23rd June 2002]