This notice has also been posted on NGRM-Online:
The 009 Society has recently acquired a Brass Motor Rail Simplex works plate works number 8597 that is part of a deceased member's collection of models and railwayana that is being disposed of by the Society.
I have only a scant knowledge of Simplex locomotive provenance, but by consulting my copy of the Moseley Railway Trust publication "A Guide to Simplex Narrow Gauge Locomotives" by DR Hall and JAS Rowlands, the works number sequence 8540 to 9982 covers existing locos in England, Scotland and Wales which are all of the 20/28 hp model, which were built by Motor Rail between 1933 and 1969
8597 is not listed as existing in England, Scotland and Wales, which does not necessarily mean that the locomotive does not still exist elsewhere. Locos with relatively close works numbers are:
8564 - at Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway
8565 - Festiniog
8600 - listed as owned by a D Turner in Worcestershire
8622 - Lincs Coast Rly
8627 - Threlkeld Quarry Museum
8644 - Abbey Light Railway - their still extant website indicates that this was the blue rebuilt loco Druid, originally built in 1941.
So, from the above, I can deduce that 8597 was definitely pre-war and probably built around 1935 - 7 as an educated guess.
Questions arising therefore:
1. Can anyone provide any further details about confirmed date of building, confirmation that it is/was a 20/28hp and something of the history of this loco?
2. The value of this item is totally unknown. As a cast brass original item with some historical significance at least, one must assume that it does have a value of some sort and is worth more than simply the scrap value of the brass!
3. Would anyone be interested in acquiring this item? Genuine and sensible offers would all be considered seriously. Money realised after the usual small Society commission would benefit the estate of the deceased member, who lived in the Chelmsford area. The sale of this item is not confined to Society members.
4. Please PM me in the first instance within the next week. if you are interested in this item. If no responses are received by then it will be returned to the sales officer for disposal by other means, but obviously the Society would prefer it to go to a "good home" of a like-minded narrow gauge enthusiast rather than simply be consigned to scrap or an exhibition rummage tray.
Photo of the works plate - dimensions 195mm x 75mm.x approx 3mm thickness :
Mick
Although there has been no interest at all posted from any of the members of this forum, the provenance of the loco that the plate came from has been updated and confirmed by a couple of fellow Society members on NGRM=-Online and I am pleased to report that the plate has now had a good 3 figure offer made by a member of that forum that has been accepted by the Sales Officer.
Mick