Davey Paxman 7NHP Traction Engine

On behalf of the owners we are pleased to advertise for sale the oldest surviving Paxman Traction Engine “Victoria”. The engine is presented in very good mechanical and aesthetic condition and is ready to rally.

Although not a large scale manufacturer of engines Paxmans employed the services of well-respected Traction Engine designer William Fletcher. Fletcher was an integral part of early traction engine design having worked for companies including Wallis and Steevens, Marshalls, Ransomes and Clayton and Shuttleworth. As such Victoria is a well-proportioned engine which carries many similarities in design of Fletchers other engines.

Numbered 13073, she left the Colchester works on the 31st July 1907 and was originally supplied to A T Oliver and Sons of Hertfordshire and remained with the company for many years until being sold in 1948. She passed through a number of other local owners before being sold into preservation in 1962 to Tom Paisley with whom she underwent a substantial restoration and was named ‘Davy Crockett’ The engine sold at the renown Paisley sale in 1980 for £11,250.

Circa 2010 the engine underwent major boiler works at Israel Newtons which included a new firebox, tube plate, tubes and repairs to the barrell, throat plate and backhead. As such the boiler is now sound for many years to come and recent reports show good thickness and condition throughout. Working pressure is 160psi which is fair to say is quite high for a single cylinder Traction Engine but makes for a powerful, free steaming and economical engine.

Overall Victoria is a lovely engine which is ready to rally and be enjoyed, being from a small manufacturer only adds to the charm and interest in our opinion of this very capable engine.

For further details please do not hesitate to contact us, as always we would be pleased to help with part exchange of all steam and vintage vehicles where possible.

Thanks to Clive Flack & Kevin Quick for use of their photos.