Barn Find Live Steam Bassett-Lowke Traction Engine Under Steam And Running After Decades In Storage

[@xtraceex]

I purchased the exact model as this of Steam Age in London in 1983. Steam Age now out of business from my understanding. The store was a delight: all types and price levels of steam engines. Thank you for including the firing-up procedure in your video - I ran mine briefly as a "newbie" back then. Haven't fired mine up in thirty years (in glass case) - your video inspired me to have a go at it again!!! Cheers!!!

[@MrSnooze]

I'm sure you will enjoy getting your engine running. Definitely confirm all is well with your safety valve and if yours runs like mine there is no need to go mad with too much steam pressure. I hope all goes well. Thanks for looking, all the best to you

[@michael1aaron]

Brilliant video of a good piece of machinery. Did any one else in the days of school when boys in high school did metal work. As part of my O level exam I made a static steam piston pump and like this video when heated up the water in the cylinder moved the piston at a fantastic speed :0).....now I just play trains.

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Michael, that sounds a quality part you made. I believe the most complicated thing we produced in metal work at my school was a cement trowel, the highlight being the rivets to fit the handle on. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, all the best to you

[@oscarpaisley]

Hi Mr Snooze that’s an absolutely wonderful item thank you for running it was a pleasure to watch. Take care. Oscar

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Oscar, I had a lot of fun getting this running. It is always interesting lighting the burner and seeing the steam pressure gauge rise. Take care, all the best to you

[@hotdogpilot6319]

Delightful, knocks the MAMOD version into a cocked hat, particularly with petrol five and a tanner a gallon!!! Lol. Cheers, Andy.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching, it is a fun model but you can't beat the Mamod items for reliability and fun. Also it takes no time at all to get them out and up and running, in fact I'm off to get my little stationary Mamod out for a run now. All the best to you

[@trainsontuesday]

I must admit that I have a soft spot for traction engines so I thoroughly enjoyed that.

[@MrSnooze]

It's good to hear you liked seeing this David, I've not seen a real traction engine since before Covid, this has made me want to get to a show again. The things seem alive with the hissing and smells etc. Thanks for watching, all the best to you

[@emil.honganmaki5461]

A really high-quality engine.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching this video. This is a very well made item, thanks for taking the time to comment. Best regards to you

[@nickpage2949]

What an exquisite model. Northampton has a proud tradition of model making still up held by Schumacher on Moulton Park.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching Nick, I think the Schumacher models might beat this in the top speed category. All the best to you

[@royston600]

Great video what a smashing model

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed seeing the engine in action. All the best to you

[@125sloth]

Fantastic model. What a brilliant piece of machinery it is. No doubt the fact that it has been stored in a wooden box has helped keep it in good condition. Like model trains or even die cast models, if stored in something decent they will last forever.

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Brian, that's so right about these items. The covering of old oil on most of the moving parts helps with preservation too. Best regards to you

[@kleedhamhobby]

Very cute. You're very lucky to have it. Very expensive though - that retail price would have been more than a month's wages for many people, back then. It's considerably more than I was earning in a month in my last job before I left the UK, in 1974. Definitely a toy for the rich, then.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching. Ultimately these and other models in the Basset Lowke range became virtually impossible to sell in adequate numbers at such high prices so they ceased trading. Take care, all the best to you

[@PaulinesPastimes]

That's beautiful. Not a rattle or vibration. No wonder it cost 136 Pounds (sorry no Pound symbol on keyboard), the engineering looks perfect. Great fun. I wish it was 28 deg here! A lovely Summer temperature. I would be getting a lot more done outside but Winter is the time for doing indoor stuff so it balances out. 😊

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Pauline, you are right about the quiet running. The bearings are all so snug and machined nicely, it just purrs. I envy your cooler temperatures. It's just too hot to get up to the Super 4 layout and as I look at my indicator it's just above 34c now. Take care, all the best to you

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@MrSnooze Oh dear, that is hot. I don't like weather that hot so I do sympathise. The really hot part of summer in Melbourne is mercifully brief (ish!) Lets hope you have some nice cooler weather soon.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

OH WOW absolutely brilliant, I really enjoyed seeing and hearing that. What a work of art.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching Mike, It's good to hear you enjoyed the video. Take care, all the best to you

[@RobA500]

What a superb model Mr Snooze, thoroughly enjoyed seeing it run thanks for sharing. All the best, cheers Rob

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Robin, It's good to hear you enjoyed seeing this item, thanks for watching. Best regards to you

[@timsmith8189]

Lovely Video Mr Snooze.

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Tim, thanks for watching the video and the kind comment. Take care, all the best to you

[@finlayfraser9952]

Lovely!

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching the video, I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing this. All the best to you

[@williamdewarrenne5848]

iv'e really enjoyed watching the video,as i have quite recently bought the same model Bassett-lowke 3/4 gauge Burrell, albeit in red, mine has never been fired, only run on air ,as a static display.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching this William. It's good to hear you have one of these excellent items. I must say that you do get a fair amount of discolouration to the engine's paintwork when they are fired. Maybe if you are happy with the look of yours the occasional run on compressed air and not firing it up with flame might be good if you want to preserve the finish. Take care, all the best to you

[@sanspareil3018]

What a lovely piece of engineering. How privileged it would be for the craftsmen turning out those models and it does look like a well crafted machine with no sign of mass production. I don’t think I realised Bassett Lowke made road steam engines. To be honest I am not too surprised at the original cost the internet shows the equivalent cost today would be over £3000.

[@MrSnooze]

Hello Andrew, I wonder what an engineer made item like this would cost today? Probably a huge sum. I suppose with the advent of CNC etc production might be quicker. thanks for watching, best regards to you

[@nightlightabcd]

£ 3000 = $ 3627.43

[@modelsteam2805]

A beautiful model & enjoyable video to watch. I have a couple of D.R.Mercer traction engines which are a similar size to this, maybe a little smaller. Most enjoyable to run, although they don’t have as much detail such as the working handbrake. Still a nice model to own. Such a shame these old models are not available to buy new any longer. Just imagine going into one of the B.L. shops back in the day & seeing the range of models for for sale in glass cabinets. How wonderful. Incidentally, I have the smallest B.L. Tangye engine, have a look at my videos if you have time. Regards.

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching, I have just had a quick look at your excellent channel I shall definitely catch up on some of your videos, the items look superb and I look forward to seeing some of them in action. Take care, all the best to you

[@modelsteam2805]

Thank you Mr. Snooze 😊

[@jimmanyk]

Smells better than Rocket? Infinitely better than tablets!🤢👍👍

[@MrSnooze]

I hope I don't have a new addiction but I seem to be drawn to methylated spirit burners a lot at the moment. Best regards to you

[@jimmanyk]

@@MrSnooze My first "death trap" static steam engine, fueled on Meths. smelled.... Decades later a Meths. fueled chemistry set, the Meths. smelled "off", glad "they" have gone back to the old Meths. "recipie" Bygone days!

[@fattishboy6620]

Steam engine in minature, I wonder how much £136 is in todays money? Great vid Mr. Snooze.

[@nickpage2949]

£3500 according to Google 😳

[@MrSnooze]

Thanks for watching. These were extremely dear when new, They produced even more expensive one off items too. I hope to show the catalogue in a bit more detail, the price of a 7 1/4 inch loco is astounding. Best regards to you

[@MrSnooze]

That is a huge sum Nick