Fatman, as you found it yourself it is a nicely done modification, all original ones are clockwork models.
The M0 serie loco has been produced 1927-29 in Liverpool factory in Great Britain. They where sold in GB and France at the same time and the models for the french market has a decal with "imported from England" on the underside.
Originally there is no linkage on the loco, the modifications on this one makes it something special and as it is not a rare model that looks fine for me and there is the little "plus" when you know from where it comes.
For me it is a nice little model and if the price was right a nice loco easy to run.
Very best, Daniel