G3 Bassett Lowke

[Spitfire2865]

Just found this browsing through ebay.
Located in California but it looks in pretty good shape.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BASSETT-LOWKE-THE-BIRMINGHAM-DRIBBLER-0-4-0-LIVE-STEAM-LOCOMOTIVE/293280310557?hash=item4448de651d:g:h~wAAOSwSA9dpffr

[IanT]

I doubt very much this is Bassett-Lowke Trevor - as Precision Steam was a brand name for Maxwell (Taylor) Hemmens - a company based in Yorkshire originally.  They went out of business in the late 80's. So this little engine is really a late reproduction of the original BDs (probably made in 1970-80s).

You can find out more about Maxwell Hemmens here:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/maxwell-hemmens-precision-steam-models-legend-t95425.html

The original Birmingham Dribblers were mostly made (as the name suggests) in Birmingham and were so-called Carpet Railways - eg no track, just run on the floor - and they tended to leak (or dribble) on the carpet - hence the name. You can still buy these RTR from John Hemmens (presumably related to Maxwell) if you'd like to pay £425 for one?

http://www.steamengines.co.uk/epages/BT4353.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT4353/Products/0017

They used to be available as kits (for much less money) - and I'm fairly sure they were advertised in 'Steam Lines' the precursor to Garden Railway - possibly by Maxwell Hemmens too.

Anyway - an interesting curiosity but a bit expensive for my mantlepiece (and there's an old fashioned word - beginning to show my age I'm afraid)   :-)

IanT

[Spitfire2865]

I doubt very much this is Bassett-Lowke Trevor - as Precision Steam was a brand name for Maxwell (Taylor) Hemmens - a company based in Yorkshire originally.  They went out of business in the late 80's. So this little engine is really a late reproduction of the original BDs (probably made in 1970-80s).

You can find out more about Maxwell Hemmens here:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/modelsteam/maxwell-hemmens-precision-steam-models-legend-t95425.html

The original Birmingham Dribblers were mostly made (as the name suggests) in Birmingham and were so-called Carpet Railways - eg no track, just run on the floor - and they tended to leak (or dribble) on the carpet - hence the name. You can still buy these RTR from John Hemmens (presumably related to Maxwell) if you'd like to pay £425 for one?

http://www.steamengines.co.uk/epages/BT4353.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT4353/Products/0017

They used to be available as kits (for much less money) - and I'm fairly sure they were advertised in 'Steam Lines' the precursor to Garden Railway - possibly by Maxwell Hemmens too.

Anyway - an interesting curiosity but a bit expensive for my mantlepiece (and there's an old fashioned word - beginning to show my age I'm afraid)   :-)

IanT

Good to know!
Was on my phone this morning so could hardly see the photos clearly.  Ebay mobile is pretty crap.