Steam for Sale

Well known steam preservationist Bill Briggs of Mobberley, Cheshire has instructed Cheffins to dispose of his wonderful selection of steam engines. The auction, which will undoubtedly be one of the sales of the new decade, will take place on Saturday 27th March 2010 and has been moved for convenience of sale to the historic Foxfield Railway museum at Blythe Bridge, near Stoke on Trent.

This exceptional collection comprises the oldest surviving Wallis & Steevens steam engine no. T169, built in 1883, which was discovered in a dilapidated state on the lower slopes of Snaefell on the Isle of Man and painstakingly restored over 16 years. The undeniably desirable ex Starkey, Knight & Ford Foden 5 ton brewers wagon built in 1908 and also sympathetically and expertly restored, having been purchased by Bill in 1971. The impressive Burrell traction engine no 2003 built in 1897 which was the first engine purchased by Bill in 1963 and the subject of a thorough restoration. Lastly but not least a superb 4nhp portable engine produced by the Oxfordshire firm of Barrows & Co, one of just 7 surviving engines from this enigmatic firm. All the engines have been re-painted by Gerald Whitaker.

Bill has also spent considerable time researching the provenance of all these engines and has unearthed in some cases an enormous amount of fascinating history including some original photographs of the early working life of the Foden and Burrell.

Bill Briggs has decided to sell all four engines together with an unusual Stenner & Gunn dropside steam trailer following his decision to move to the Isle of Man. Bill is a prominent member of the road steam preservation world, being a founder member of the Lancashire Traction Engine Club, past president of the Road Locomotive Society and is currently president of the Somerset Traction Engine Club.

“Cheffins are proud and privileged to be instructed to sell such a fine collection of steam engines” said Bill King, director of Cheffins. “It is without doubt a significant sale which will create much interest. The sale offers the opportunity to acquire steam engines with provenance and that have been expertly restored with sympathy and attention to detail. We are also indebted to the kindness of Foxfield Railway to allow us to take advantage of their facilities which will provide an excellent back-drop to such an important sale of historic engines.”

A souvenir catalogue costing £12 each will be available 3 weeks prior to the sale.

Further information will also be available on our website.

Scanned from original photograph provided by Old Glory Magazine.