Original Listing Description

Brass O-Scale Hillcrest Lumber No. 10 Three-Truck Climax Locomotive – This is a fine example of the model builder’s skills in Korea and imported by the legendary Precision Scale Co. A beautifully crafted scale model of the final run of these geared-truck Climax locomotives. This 70-ton prototype (No. 10) was made for the Hillcrest Lumber Company Ltd. in March 1928, Shop No. 1693 and was initially numbered 3, in standard gauge. It was also the last one made for sale on the North American continent and the last year for the Climax Company. By 1961 this Climax (No. 10) was the last operating Climax locomotive in North America! These interesting locomotives were manufactured from 1888 to 1928 for a total of only 1035 produced but were sold world-wide for use in the lumber and industrial mining areas. The geared design was very effective in the woods where steep grades, tight curves and poor trackage conditions prevailed. The Climax company, founded initially by George Yost, began production of based on designs by Charles Scott, improved by George Gilbert but with shaky financial success. The company was reorganized and then owned and managed by Rush S. Battles who is credited with driving the Climax Manufacturing Company forward successfully. The Climax design was very similar to earlier steam-powered mechanical products made for the oil field business such as pumps. Initially the first Climax design (Class A) used vertical cylinders over a center drive shaft through a gear box that proved to be workable but with several mechanical and maintenance issues. The design was reworked, and the first modern Class B Climax was produced in 1893 – with inclined cylinders (22.5 degrees) on either side of a standard designed locomotive boiler. This fine reproduction exhibits all of the careful detailing expected including accurate steel frame details with wooden bumpers, Walschaerts valve gear and related cylinder details including steam supply and exhaust distribution lines and fittings, connecting crank fittings, steam air compressor with related valves and lines, the steel all-weather cab with fully detailed boiler backhead controls, fuel oil bunker with fill lid and vent line in place with sand boxes on the rear and the water tank tender is complete including water pump and sand boxes at the rear with fill caps in place – everything ready to begin operations in the field. This model has been beautifully weathered and thoughtfully detailed with tools, oil cans, misc. parts on pilot around and the tool-box on top of the tender to enhance and show-off all aspects of this wonderful locomotive Everything from the boiler finish with streaks of residue from rain, steam and grime, cast steel trucks counter weighted with pinon gears coated in grease, brake shoes, air brake cylinder and hangers plus air lines, steam generator with steam exhaust line, accurate steel girder frame details with dirt and grime, boiler domes with pressure relief valves, spark-arrestor smoke stack, steam whistle even with pull cord in place, brass bell and steel boiler jacket are all weathered carefully – all of this major effort creates a model that really recreates what this locomotive might have looked like when in use. The new hardcover book “The Climax Locomotive” by Dennis Thompson, Richard Dunn and Steve Hauff, published in 2002 by Oso Publishing Company will also be included with this exceptional model. I am a collector - not a dealer - and this amazing model, which was purchased new, has been in our collection for over twenty years mostly spent in its box awaiting its turn to be painted, weathered and detailed by an artist much in demand and who has really created an art-form. The time required between acceptance of the model to be painted and completion is between 1-3 years minimum. It is now being offered for sale so that we might expand into other areas of brass locomotive collecting mainly different railway equipment from geared locomotives. Please review all details and photos carefully as no returns are possible - please ask any questions necessary to resolve any doubts or concerns that you may have regarding this rare and beautifully detailed and weathered Hillcrest Lumber No. 10. This fine model will be shipped without its original box (still searching for it and will forward to new owner when located) – double boxed, at buyer's expense and we recommend shipping via USPS Priority Mail insured. (Condition: Brand New)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for clocks collectors and appraisers.