Sold July 2017 Back to Archive

A 7 1/4 inch gauge, half size model of the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway Garratt "Norfolk Hero" - well engineered, it's a cleverly thought out, thoroughly well sorted piece of machinery.

Silver soldered superheated copper boiler, 100psi working pressure, feed by twin injectors and steam pump. Twin pop type safety valves. Cast iron cylinders with slide valves actuated by Woolf gear, with screw reverser in the cab. Twin mechanical lubricators, one per power bogie. Steam operated drain cocks. Main steam feed to bogies is by stainless braided hose.

Front bunker is a stainless steel water tank - it's quickly detachable, you can get at the front power bogie and all its valve gear easily. Rear has a seat for driving - you can drive legs akimbo on the footpegs, or feet on the footplate if you're a svelte young thing like Connor in the video here. Either way we all found it comfortable. A docile, biddable thing to drive, it's controllable simply on the reverser, running nicely back nearly to mid gear. There's a seriously potent hydraulic disc brake, operated by a handle on the footplate which is powerful whilst sensitive in operation.

The engine is currently running with a rosebud grate, fitted by the previous owner. He's an enthusiastic advocate, claiming significant reduction in coal consumption - there's an interesting video here filmed through a temporarily installed glass fire hole door whilst running at his club track.

The custom built trailer is easy to load and unload, being two wheeled makes it highly manoeuvrable - you can push it around the drive single handed.

We're all impressed with this one - technically interesting, beautifully made and a delight to drive. What more could you want?

Length 10 feet