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The author's scratchbuilt Prince of Wales in 16mm scale, immaculate and ready for work.

John Campbell's
Double Fairlie

by Tim Furber
Llanfair Caereinion, Wales
Photos by the author

January, 2013
The model
This 16mm-scale  model of a double Fairlie was produced for me by John Campbell. The locomotive features a single boiler with shared water space, two regulators, two gas-control valves, two burners and two displacement lubricators.

The model is a true double Fairlie, although it is freelance in the sense it was constructed to be uniform in general appearance with my Archangel single Fairlie. The model has two swiveling bogies, each with its own set of slip-eccentric valve gear.

The engine is manually controlled, with an open center section of the cab. It can be driven "light engine" on a single regulator. It is fitted with two sets of Roundhouse cylinders, laid on their sides to give the engine the proper appearance, especially when viewed from the front. It is very powerful when running on both burners and regulators.

Although John Campbell finished the model for me, I did the bodywork and general plate work. The model runs on 45mm-gauge track and will run for about 30 minutes on one filling of gas, although the water will last for at least an hour. The engine is fitted with a Goodall-type filler valve and two safety valves set for approximately 50 psi.

Operation
the model will run for about 1-1/4 hours on one boiler fill but it does have a Goodall valve if it needs to be topped up. The first filling of gas lasts about 20 minutes. Once the model is hot, the second fill of gas will last for at least 35 minutes, depending on how hard it is working.

The engine can be driven using just one regulator for shunting and running light. It is quite controllable, even when running with both regulators and, when you get enough steam in the cylinders, it is extremely powerful. The main difficulty is, if running indoors where there is a lot of ambient noise, hearing the burner settings and getting them both equal.
Specifications
Builder John Campbell (95%) and Tim Furber (5%)
Date completed 2009 (begun by Tim Furber in 2000)
Gauge 1 (45mm)
Scale 16mm = 1'0"
Boiler type Twin flue with shared water space; two Roundhouse poker FG burners placed back to back, facing toward the smokeboxes from the central firebox
Fittings Two regulators; two gas valves; one gauge glass; one pressure gauge; two safety valves
Blowoff pressure One safety valve set to 45 psi; the other set to about 48 psi
Fuel Butane
Cylinders Four, double-acting D-valve from Roundhouse
Reversing gear Slip eccentrics
Lubricator Displacement -- two lubricators, one per bogie
Dimensions Length, 20"; width, 4-1/4"; height, 5-1/2"
Weight 12 pounds
When viewed from the side, the engine's classic Fairlie proportions are evident. The open center portion of the cab eases access to the controls.
One end of the engine. The Roundhouse cylinders have been laid on their sides to give the engine inside valves and the proper look for a Fairlie.
Inside the cab, the dual regulators and twin displacement lubricators can be seen. The boiler is a single unit with two burners and two gas valves.
In this underside view, the swiveling bodies are apparent.
A closer look at one bogie. The model uses slip-eccentrics to drive the valves.
The engine at work with a light train on the author's railway.
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