HO Scale - 40.5" Gauge Compressed Air Porter 0-4-0

This locomotive was built in 1906 by the H.K. Porter Company in Pittsburgh PA for the Plymouth Cordage Company in Welland Ontario.  Plymouth Cordage was a rope manufacturer, and the process was one where a spark could have caused a deadly explosion and fire.  The locomotive is "Narrow Gauge" and runs on tracks that are 40.5" apart, instead of the "standard gauge" of 4'-8&1/2" (56.5").   The locomotive also runs on compressed air as sparks from a steam locomotive could have caused catastrophe at the plant.  It works like a steam locomotive though in terms of using the motion of the air to move a piston, which is connected to the wheels and which moves the locomotive forward/backwards.

In mid 2016 the Toronto Railway Museum started a campaign to raise funds to save a unique narrow gauge locomotive which had been offered for donation to the museum by Andrew Merrilees Limited.  The campaign was successful, and the small 0-4-0 Compressed Air locomotive was donated and moved to Roundhouse Park in September 2016.  Following its delivery, I had the opportunity to take detail photographs documenting the locomotive and to measure it.  From this, I created a 3D model which could be printed in HO scale. 

There are two pieces in the print, the main body, and the cab roof so you can access the interior to paint.  This is a static model, the wheels and motion do not move.  It is designed to be painted and added to a scene on your layout as a detail piece, not to be a functional locomotive.

In order to complete the model as shown in the pictures, the following additional details are required and are not provided:

• a brass bell - Cal Scale
• brass whistles and safety valves (3 locations), use 0.020 brass rod to make your own or Cal-Scale
• a brass globe valve - Cal-Scale