Sold May 2009 Back to Archive

Recently back as part exchange against a "Stafford". Words and pictures below are from last time it was here, it's in much the same condition now, still goes just as well.

I have enormous respect for Ken Swan, he's one of the tiny minority of designers (Don Young being the only other who immediately springs to mind) who actually appear to think about how an engine will be maintained and serviced once built - machining large oil wells into the top of axleboxes is such a good idea it should be made mandatory on all engines, rather than the usual silly little hole drilled through the top which can hold two spots of oil. Having a lever in the cab that releases the grate and ashpan, and then puts it all back again, without you once getting your hands dirty has passed everybody else by, but it makes ashing out a Bridget at the end of the day a positive pleasure (not to mention a bit of a party piece if one is of a mind to show off). And proper sized oil pots everywhere. And a substantial support for the valve rod. Don't get me started, I could go on all day...

This is a really nicely built "Bridget", the great man's freelance 0-4-2T design. It runs very well, nicely detailed throughout and particularly well painted and lined.

Silver solder copper boiler with superheaters, 80psi working pressure, feed by axle pump and injector with auxiliary hand pump beneath footplate. The injector is the right size and neatly plumbed, it will start reliably from working pressure right down to 40psi. Cast iron cylinders with slide valves actuated by Walschaert's gear with pole reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator behind front buffer beam.

Length 37 inches