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Another example of one of Roger Marsh's most popular designs, Romulus. This one, built in 1997, has spent its life on a local garden railway, it follows the original design fairly closely with the exception of Walschaert's valve gear in place of the usual Hackworth. The builder has built several steam engines in 7 1/4 inch gauge (of which this was the smallest!). Although fine detailing and a deluxe paint finish is not his forte, all are strong-running locomotives with many practical details (the copious oiling pots for axleboxes and motionwork and effective steam brakes among them) which make for an ideal hard-working garden railway or club engine.

Professionally-built steel boiler with expanded tubes, fed by injector and axle pump. Cast iron cylinders with slide valves actuated by Walschaert's valve gear, pole reverser in cab. Rod-operated drain cocks, mechanical cylinder lubricator driven from crosshead. Backhead fittings include water gauge with blowdown, external regulator, ashpan damper control and steam brake. The locomotive has a screw-down brake, the driving truck has a separate hand brake and contains a full length water tank. There are a set of firing irons and safety valve adjustment tool included.

I have driven this engine several times and find it a delight. Like all Roger Marsh designs, the experience is very much of driving a small real engine rather than a large model.

Working pressure 100 psi.

Length
Locomotive 54 inches
Driving truck 36 inches

Height 33 inches

Weight in working order approx 6cwt