The late Paul Rileys 15 inch Duchess of Devonshire,

Hi all, I am not sure if this is a subject that is only spoken in hushed tones, but ever since I heard about this loco, I have wondered what has happened to it and whether anyone has decided to take it on and to get it finished.

I read on Google that it was about halfway through the build process before Paul passed away. At the same time, it says it was up for sale, but it doesn't say whether someone has bought it to finish it off.

It sounds like a brilliant bit of kit that needs to be finished; does anyone know what the current situation is with the loco?

 

It was up for sale about a year ago for £75,000 (advert now says £65,000) but I don't believe it's sold. The photos on the advert are apparently in the pway shed at New Romney.

 

Thanks for the update. Do you happen to have a link for the advert?

 

The part built Duchess is currently residing at a business called Denver Light Railway in Bloxwich and is available to buy

 

Ok thank you. So it can be yours for £100,000

 

i really don't want it....

 

From what I have seen on Facebook, they say it is too big for the RH&DR to use, which is a shame. Hindsight is a wonderful thing at times, but if that is the case, what other 15-inch gauge lines could it possibly run on without having the same issues?

Some one mention going back to basics and redesigning it using CAD. There was a comment about the driving wheels are to big and being very close to the Boiler.

I understand that it was built to a 1/3 scale. If it had been built at 1/4 scale, I think it would be too small, so you might need to think about a compromise scale somewhere between the above.

It is beginning to sound like a Euro Lottery win-type project.

 

There's a DB class 50 one-third scale ( I think) currently looked after by the VSM in Beekbergen, Holland. The owner died, but it has its boiler.
Now what?