Sold October 2022 Back to Archive

Believed to be the first engine completed, by 1932 it was owned by Oscar Seyd who had bought it from the builder. He did a charming writeup in "Model Engineer" describing the engine running on his 80 foot long garden railway (on which, "except in 'rush periods', he ran two truck trains - his article has a lovely picture of some young ladies patiently waiting for a ride!)

The engine has, for many years, been on static display as part of a large collection of fine locomotives and stationary engines in the previous owner's house. A works plate on the bunker records Seyd's name, along with that of A.C.Clark who rebuilt it in 1960.

We believe the boiler to be the original - beautifully made, it's flanged and riveted copper. It's got some club history with it, on hydraulic test in the workshop it appears dry and free of distortion. The safety valve has had a brass cap soldered into the top - possibly to repair a stripped thread - which leaks very slightly.

Side tanks are dummies - the right hand one concealing an oil reservoir feeding points between the frames. The engine is fitted with steam brakes.

The pressure gauge reads high - sufficient that on any other engine we would replace it however, given the engine's age and provenance, would be tempted to fit an auxiliary modern gauge alongside and retain the original.

After a morning in the workshop to recommission it, the engine was in steam for much of the afternoon - there's some video of it running on the rolling road here.

There's some wear in the valve gear and motionwork, however it runs very well with clear, even beats. The injector and hand pump work well, the twin axle pumps not currently doing a great deal, most likely due to stuck valves.

A special engine - it's not often we get to steam ninety year old models, particularly ones that run quite as nicely as this. In retirement it needs either a place on display, or occasional outings on high days and holidays - not something we would consider suitable as an everyday club runner.

There is work remaining to be done, including:

• Service leaking regulator
• Replace/reseal safety valve top
• Service axle pumps