5 inch gauge LNER B1 4-6-0 "Blacktail"

An unsteamed 5 inch gauge B1 to Martin Evan's "Springbok" design, which has come to us recently from a prolific local collector.

We had several locomotives from the same chap last year, including a 5 inch gauge Royal Scot and 9F - with the house move complete and work on the Duchess continuing apace, he's again run out of space in the workshop.

The locomotive runs on air in a desultory fashion, leaking past either valves or pistons. However, the paintwork is in good order, and the new Western Steam boiler is complete with manufacturer's documentation.

We've had a couple of really good B1s in recently, such as this one sold last year - there's potential in the design for a powerful, reliable locomotive.