Pictures tell the story on this one - a locomotive built to the highest standards by one of the great names in model engineering. Only words I'll add regard testing the boiler when it arrived:
The engine had last been steamed on completion over forty years ago; Raper died a few months later since when it has been unused. We plugged it up ready for a hydraulic test, noticing the pressure gauge is red-lined at 160psi. Unlikely for a copper boiler - we'd expect it to run at 100psi.
Scratched the collective Station Road Steam heads for a few minutes, when it was recalled that the full-size engines ran at 160psi. Still somewhat puzzled. So we pumped it up to 100psi, at which point the pressure gauge (made by Raper, as with everything else on the engine) read... exactly 160psi.
All in the pursuit of authenticity.
"Wow", as we all said.
We haven't steamed the engine, although can confirm that it runs just the way you'd expect on air.
gauge | 7 1/4 inch |
length/inches | 45 |
width/inches | 13 |
height/inches | 19 |
wheel material | cast iron |
axlebox type | plain bearing |
cylinder material | cast iron |
valve type | slide |
valve gear | Stephensons |
reverser type | screw |
lubricator type | displacement |
injector(s) | 2 |
year built | 1976 |
boiler maker | Louis Raper |
CE mark | n/a - pre-2002 |
working pressure/psi | 100 |
boiler type | locomotive |
boiler material | copper |
boiler construction | silver soldered |
hydraulic test valid to | 5/Feb/22 |
superheater(s) | 4 |
superheater type | flue tube |
fusible plug | no |
safety valve(s) | 2 |
safety valve type | spring |
whistle | yes |