This is a model of the Best Friend (of Charleston) built in 1830 by the West Point Foundry for the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company of Charleston, South Carolina. Famous for being the first steam locomotive in America to go into a regularly scheduled revenue service, beginning in December of 1830.

This model has been scaled from drawings made by the West Point Foundry, although it has been narrowed slightly as the original locomotive was made to operate on 5 foot broad gauge track.

To complete the model, wire (not included in the print) will be needed to form the steam pipes, and wheels obtainable from American Scale Models (listed on their site as 1033-28 - HO Scale - Steam Loco,trailing truck wheels, 54" spoked).

The feed pipe from the boiler should be made from gauge 24 or 23 wire. The pipes from the steam regulator to the cylinders, and from the cylinders to the water tank should be made from 28, 27, or 26 gauge wire. The exhaust pipe which rises from the deck and into the boiler jacket should be made from a 21 or 20 gauge wire. For simplicity, a 26 gauge wire will close enough for all fittings, except for the exhaust pipe.

Model is not meant to be powered, but can be pushed along by a suitable powered tender (watch this space).