Sold January 2007 Back to Archive

A well made engine to LBSC's "Doris" design, based on the LMS Black 5 designed by Stanier. Built by a professional engineer, it appears to have had modest use in his hands before passing to his son who kept it for display, never driving it himself. As a result, the engine is still in super condition.

Silver soldered superheated copper boiler fed by axle pump and injector with auxiliary hand pump in tender. Twin safety valves, 80psi working pressure. Gunmetal cylinders with piston valves actuated by Walschaert's valve gear, mechanical lubricator behind front buffer beam.

I like this engine, it goes well and is, to my eyes, a handsome design - I'm surprised that there aren't more of them about. The paintwork is a little flamboyant perhaps, if it were mine I might take the opportunity over next winter to revitalise the livery, at the same time changing it to something a little, er, blacker...