7 1/4 inch gauge SE&CR Wainwright "D"

A 7 1/4 inch gauge South Eastern & Chatham Railway "D" class 4-4-0. Designed by Harry Wainwright, a total of 51 locomotives were built between 1901 and 1907 with one surviving in preservation at the National Railway Museum in its original, highly elaborate SE&CR livery.

The work of a well-known professional model engineer with many exhibition quality locomotives to his credit, this engine was commission built for a gentleman with an enviable collection of locomotives from 7mm scale to 7 1/4 inch gauge; a well-known and extensively rallied Foden steam wagon, and one of the most eclectic collection of nameplates, works plates and railway signage I've ever seen gracing the walls of his workshop and engine sheds.

Unsteamed from new, the Wainwright remains in close to ex-works condition - it's a superb model, painted and lined out to the highest standard. The silver soldered copper boiler is a professionally made, CE-marked job by Swindon Boilers, the chassis rolls freely and, as might be expected, runs beautifully on air with crisp, square exhaust beats.

The prototype had an ingenious - if rather complex - steam reverser. Replicated at the builder's insistence in the model, it was never destined to be an effective system of reversing, it's presence more decorative than functional. At the owner's behest (and, we understand, with some reluctance on the part of the builder) a removeable pole reverser was supplied, fitting on the nearside of the footplate and cleverly picking up a link on that side of the weighshaft. We fitted it to test the engine on air, possibly the first time it has been used.

The pictures opposite tell the story more eloquently than words - it's one of the finest locomotives we've had in any gauge, the elegant design and fabulous livery of the prototype only adding to its presence (which is currently enhancing my study at home, in company with a Stirling Single of the same gauge and similarly elegant lines!)