Unusual Merlin Locomotive

Alan P · Post by **Alan P** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:06 am

Spotted this on ebay and it is not a Merlin that i recognise. It appears to have a Mayflower chassis, smokebox and valve gear but with a different boiler, cab and tank.

If anyone (Ian??) can help identify it that would be great.

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:00 am

It is just a standard Merlin Monarch, I'm surprised that you have not seen a photo of one before as they were one of their best sellers for quite a few years. They are quite sort after being quite pretty.

Alan P · Post by **Alan P** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:07 am

All the Merlin Monarchs i've seen are very different, Tony Willmore has agood example here,

http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk/Pictures/DSC01523.JPG

Alan P · Post by **Alan P** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:11 am

There was also an 0-6-0 version,

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:24 pm

Merlin kept the Monarch name throughout their history for their small fixed cylinder saddle tank locos. The photos shown above are Merlin Beck locos and each one that I've seen seems to be slightly different. I have 2 of the Merlin Beck ones (one a box of bits!) and a later Merlin one as in the eBay listing. I believe that the Merlin one I have was the factory demonstrator as the works number matches the one in the late 80s catalogues. All the ones made after about 1984 seem to be the standardised Merlin design with outside frames and cast smokebox.

Alan P · Post by **Alan P** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:41 pm

Thanks Steve.

After your first post i did a little searching and was able to find a couple of YouTube videos and a few pictures of this version of the Monarch.

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:05 pm

A pity that the one on eBay seems already to have reached silly money! The 16mm scene now seems to have moved into the collectors market with wealthy collectors and dealers willing to pump up prices, more so for 32mm gauge locos.

Alan P · Post by **Alan P** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:42 pm

I couldn't agree more.
I quite often watch 32mm locos on ebay and whereas it used to be with a view to possibly bidding now it's just to see what ridiculous sums they go for.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 4:03 pm

could you send the link please?

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 4:04 pm

If you join the various garden rail and 16mm groups on Facebook you will find some interesting articles and stuff come up cheaper for sale.

Alan P · Post by **Alan P** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:54 pm

Joe:113167 wrote:could you send the link please?

It's here,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/garden-railwa ... 2026800369

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:02 pm

Alan P:113171 wrote:
Joe:113167 wrote:could you send the link please?
It's here,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/garden-railwa ... 2026800369

It looks to be in better condition than mine, but then I paid a lot less for it a few years ago.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:25 pm

thanks that is very nice, they are certainly increasing in value but that one does look to be in particularly good condition

Garden Railway Forum

Unusual Merlin Locomotive

Unusual Merlin Locomotive

Who is online