Sold March 2005 Back to Archive

2 1/2 inch gauge 0-6-0 tender engine to LBSC's "Southern Maid" design, serialised in Model Engineer in 1936 - another one of his comprehensive "words and music" projects designed for the newcomer to coal-fired live steam. A straightforward engine featuring slide valve cylinders and slip eccentric valve gear, with an axle pump and hand pump in the tender.

This is an old engine, last repainted with more enthusiasm than ability. It has a silver-soldered boiler with nutted and calked firebox stays. Although the engine is evidently of some antiquity, probably just post-war, the boiler is in remarkably good condition. It has had a hydraulic test this morning at 120 psi for 80 psi working and comes with a test report to that effect. The engine runs well in both directions on air, with a good bit of wear in the connecting rod bushes! Cylinders are oiled by a displacement lubricator behind the front buffer beam.

The tender is probably not original to the engine, but has certainly been with it for a considerable time - the tender paintwork and lining matches the remaining old paint on the locomotive.

The engine is missing its pressure gauge (1/2 inch pattern, available from any of the suppliers on my links page), two inches of blower pipe in the smokebox and pump handle - it is otherwise complete and in running order.

Length
Locomotive 17 inches
Tender 12 inches