Price Guidance

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:24 pm

As some of you may know I went to Brighton Modelworld today, and plan on going tomorrow as well.

Although something caught my eye...

On a second hand stall, there is a Merlin/Beck engine. 0-4-0, in black with 'Anna' nameplates and all complete. It has the gas tank in one of the side tanks, and for some reason has Roundhouse 'plates fitted

The man is asking £250, does this sound reasonable to you? I may just have to get it...

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:32 pm

Might be one of the few beck engines that roundhouse made, I think if Roundhouse made it it should be ok, but then again vintage live steam can be an "interesting" experiance, for all the wrong reasons. Spares might be a bit hard to come by

ACLR · Post by **ACLR** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:32 pm

sorry I cant help you there Si i dont know what one looks like

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:45 pm

laalratty wrote:Might be one of the few beck engines that roundhouse made, I think if Roundhouse made it it should be ok, but then again vintage live steam can be an "interesting" experiance, for all the wrong reasons. Spares might be a bit hard to come by

Well, if you have 30 odd lathes and 15 milling machines at your disposal spares shouldn't be too difficult

A friend of mine has a Merlin, and I have heard about the bad experiences he has had with the wheels slipping on its axles and then having to retime it which put me off slightly in all honesty...

Although at £250

steamyjim · Post by **steamyjim** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:59 pm

I'd say that was a very good price Si!

Go for it if you have the money

Did you here the sad news that Tom Cooper (Merlin Loco works) has died

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:00 pm

Found the Beck 'Anna' here - http://www.sidestreetbannerworks.com/locos/loco57.html

And if you read down you will find this - 'The last of the parts eventually passed from Cooper to Roger Loxley of Roundhouse Engineering, who produced the very last batch of Annas in 1990, these with Roundhouse cylinders, which were much superior to the Beck/Merlin cylinders. These Roundhouse/Beck Annas are very scarce today.'

Looks an interesting engine, although as has been stated already getting spare parts would be your main problem.

I would certainly bargain to get the price down giving the shortage of spares.

Good luck with your purchase.

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:06 pm

Cheers Chris.

Just reading that link, it says it is 45mm gauge so I may have to take my vernier calipers with me to check the back to back...

It is a good point about the spares, I was going to say £200 in cash, but I will see if I can get him down to say £175...

MuzTrem · Post by **MuzTrem** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:25 pm

I don't know, I think £250 really isn't a bad price for a live steamer...no harm in trying to haggle, but if the guy won't lower the price then I'd probably just go for it myself.

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:46 pm

I will have to check the bank balance first though

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:52 pm

On another note, there is a stand selling 'trimline' for £2.95 a pot. Is this a reasonable price or can it be bought from elsewhere cheaper inc. postage?

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:55 pm

MTA wrote:On another note, there is a stand selling 'trimline' for £2.95 a pot. Is this a reasonable price or can it be bought from elsewhere cheaper inc. postage?

Thats a good price, mine was 2.99 from my local model shop...

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:02 pm

Cheers Pete. Looks like I will have to get a pot then

As to the Merlin, I will buy it, but only if it is O gauge...

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:05 pm

Sounds good Si, I wouldn't bother taking the verniers, you can tell the gauge by just looking at it, or use ruler, lol.

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:21 pm

SillyBilly wrote:Sounds good Si, I wouldn't bother taking the verniers, you can tell the gauge by just looking at it, or use ruler, lol.

Good thing I have a mini tape measure on my keys

andysleigh · Post by **andysleigh** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:31 pm

simon

its a very resonable price, all the ones i have seen that are made by beck or merlin beck or roundhouse beck are 250, litterally

mine cost 250

a guy at gmes bought one for 250

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:06 pm

Remember don't be scared to modify it Simon, some new valve handles wouldn't go amiss on one of these beastys. And remember, what you're getting here is partially a roundhouse, solid quality!

I look forward to piccies

!

andysleigh · Post by **andysleigh** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:39 pm

also-
does it come with box and papers.
i payed 250 for mine that came with box and papers with drawings.
if it doesnt have them, knock the price down

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:53 am

Grr, I am not at modelworld today

I didn't tell you this last night but I fell off my bike on the way home due to some ignorant motorist who doesn't know your not allowed to get that close to a cyclist when overtaking...

So this morning I have a splitting headache and it is rather painful to walk

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:03 pm

MTA wrote:Grr, I am not at modelworld today

I didn't tell you this last night but I fell off my bike on the way home due to some ignorant motorist who doesn't know your not allowed to get that close to a cyclist when overtaking...

So this morning I have a splitting headache and it is rather painful to walk

Ah, sh**, thats very annoying for you isnt it! Awwww, bad luck!

MTA · Post by **MTA** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:52 pm

I really wanted the Merlin as well

Oh well, I might be able to spend the money on other things...

Garden Railway Forum

Price Guidance

Price Guidance

Who is online