Sold February 2008 Back to Archive

A 5 inch gauge LNER A1 Pacific, built to a simplified design with two cylinders. Obviously intended for practical passenger-hauling rather than the last word in attention to detail, nevertheless it captures the spirit of Gresley's A1 as it first appeared, in later years to be rebuilt into the A3 super-Pacific form that is "Flying Scotsman" today.

Copper boiler, working pressure 80psi, feed by twin injectors with auxiliary hand pump in tender. Smokebox regulator, rather ingeniously using a stainless 90 degree valve actuated by a rod running through a hollow stay from the backhead. Two cylinders with piston valves actuated by Walschaert's valve gear with pole reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator on running board, rod operated drain cocks, steam brakes.

The boiler has had a twice pressure hydraulic test in the workshop and is sound, the engine runs well on air.

This engine sat for many years in a barn, along with a recently-arrived Britannia. I visited and saw both engines a couple of years ago, since when the A1 has been repainted. It will require a variety of jobs doing to recommission it for work, but the chassis and boiler are both basically sound, it could be improved as a rolling renovation.

Length
Weight with tender estimated 220 pounds