Sold November 2011 Back to Archive

With examples in 3 1/2 inch gauge, this one in 5 inch, 7 1/4 (in the form of the part-built "Highlander" currently in stock) and 10 1/4 inch gauge (another "Ayrshire Yeomanry") I've got a Black 5 for pretty much every eventuality at the moment.

This one was built from a kit by a chap who believed the "bolt together with hand tools" schtick and handed over his money. Eight years later, as he explained to me in his (by now) well-equipped workshop - leaning on a Harrison lathe, Tom Senior mill in the corner - "I never really intended to buy all this machinery...".

That said, he put it to good use, the engine has been turned into a reliable performer which has seen regular use over the last four years (indeed it's one of the very few ModelWorks engines we've ever had in showing any kind of wear consistent with normal running).

Silver soldered copper boiler, 90psi working pressure, feed by twin injectors and axle pump with auxiliary hand pump in the tender. Cast iron cylinders with piston valves actuated by Walschaert's gear with screw reverser in the cab. Twin mechanical lubricators.

I've had this one running most of this afternoon in the workshop - it goes well, notches up reliably and has a pair of decent injectors. One connecting rod needs the little end rebushing, which should be done by the time you read this, otherwise it's ready for the road.

There's a clip of the engine running in the workshop here.

Hydraulic test 27/3/2010 @135psi for 90psi working pressure
Steam test 2/4/2011

Length
Locomotive 41 inches
Tender 27 inches