5 inch gauge LNER B1 4-6-0

An exceptionally well-built 5 inch gauge LNER B1 to Martin Evans' "Springbok" design, it's come to us from the late builder's daughter, who has had the engine on display in her house for many years.

An experienced engineer, the builder was an SMEE member from a three generation engineering family with interests ranging from steam engines and clocks to veteran cars.

After a couple of days recommissioning in the workshop here, followed by boiler test, the engine was steamed again last week. It runs beautifully, with crisp even exhaust beats, notching up in either direction.

In excellent mechanical and cosmetic order throughout, it shows little sign of wear - we suspect due in no small part to the builder's railway, which extended to eight panels of portable raised level track, erected whenever he wanted to steam the engine. The total run can't have extended to more than fifty feet!