A particularly well-built engine, it proved free-steaming on our rolling road, running well in either direction and keeping itself in steam and water without use of the blower.
The inside cylinder configuration of LBSC's design - he also offered it in outside cylinder form, often seen dressed up as a Midland 4-4-0 - is, in our opinion, particularly sweet-running, with Joy valve gear affording excellent valve events, the close pitched cylinders minimising any "shouldering" effect under load.
The boiler has had hydraulic and steam tests with new certification issued - the original injector, unreliable in operation, was replaced.
Offered as a running restoration, the engine is usable as-is, with attention to various minor jobs required over winter, including:
There is a steam pump fitted which is - as in the case of about 90% of those we encounter fitted to locomotives of this gauge - more decorative than functional.
Cosmetically the locomotive presents well - it's been recently repainted to a high standard. The tender is in in a slightly different shade of green to the locomotive - apparently the original livery, with some minor wear apparent.
gauge | 5 inch gauge |
length/inches | 37+25 |
width/inches | 9 |
height/inches | 14 |
weight/kg | 50+20 |
wheel material | cast iron |
axlebox type | plain bearing |
cylinder material | cast iron |
valve type | slide |
valve gear | Joy |
reverser type | pole |
injector(s) | 1 |
year built | 2002 |
boiler maker | F.Whitmore |
CE mark | n/a non-commercial |
working pressure/psi | 80 |
boiler type | locomotive |
boiler material | copper |
boiler construction | silver soldered |
hydraulic test valid to | 18/Oct/27 |
steam test valid to | 31/Dec/24 |
superheater(s) | 2 |
superheater type | radiant |
fusible plug | no |
safety valve(s) | 2 |
safety valve type | spring |
mechanical pump | 1 |
hand pump | 1 |
whistle | yes |