One of a pair of 5 inch gauge LMS Duchesses, built over an eight year period by an experienced model engineer with over 30 locomotives and traction engines, and nearly 70 boilers to his credit. Still working well into his eighth decade, current project is a 4 inch scale Burrell DCC road locomotive - well advanced and taking an ever larger part of his modest-sized workshop.
The locomotives were built some years ago and exhibited as a pair at the then Warwick Model Engineering Exhibition on completion. "Duchess of Montrose" was finished in BR green livery - sister engine
"Duchess of Sutherland" in LMS crimson lake.
The engine has been test steamed once - on gas - when completed, since then it's been stored in a purpose built crate in the owner's living room. Boiler has yet to see a coal fire, it looks new inside.
The engine turns over freely - we've run it on air; the reverser is stiff to operate, otherwise everything functions as expected. Supplied with twice working pressure shell test certificate, the engine will require some work to commission for steaming - at the very least we would expect to service fittings, check injectors and set the safety valves before use.
Complete with crates for locomotive and tender.
gauge |
5 inch |
length/inches |
53 + 26 |
width/inches |
10 |
height/inches |
15 |
wheel material |
cast iron |
axlebox type |
plain bearing |
cylinder material |
cast iron |
valve type |
piston |
valve gear |
Walschaerts |
reverser type |
screw |
lubricator type |
mechanical |
injector(s) |
2 |
boiler number |
*0916 |
boiler maker |
Davies |
working pressure/psi |
100 |
boiler type |
locomotive with combustion chamber |
boiler material |
copper |
boiler construction |
silver soldered |
hydraulic test valid to |
1/Jul/22 |
superheater(s) |
4 |
superheater type |
radiant |
fusible plug |
no |
safety valve(s) |
4 |
safety valve type |
spring |
whistle |
yes |