7 1/4 inch gauge Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST "Pipit"

An exceptionally well-built 7 1/4 inch gauge narrow gauge Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST, to the Derek Brown/Mark Smithers "Anna" design serialised in "Model Engineer" magazine.

The engine represents the combined work of two exceptionally capable builders, the latter a retired professional engineer who spent his working life in railway engineering. Standard of workmanship is to an excellent standard throughout.

The tender/driving truck was designed for the locomotive, intended to look like something which Woolwich Arsenal might have specified for their 18 inch gauge railway. Whilst the design is a flight of fantasy - albeit an exceptionally well engineered one - it looks utterly plausible.

Tender suspension is by rubber bushes which give a good ride and firm damping, something often missing with coil sprung vehicles. The seat has been upholstered in hide, it hinges to reveal a tool tray, with coal compartment beneath. The self-centring draw bar is backed up by a substantial snap-fit check chain which attaches to a staple on the locomotive dragbeam.

A large engine, at a little under half a ton with its tender. Completed in 2015, it has had less than 60 hours running from new and remains in excellent condition throughout.

Complete with toolbox containing spares, touchup paint and steam-raising blower; a large amount of documentation; builder's notes and a CD containing pictures of the build.

Derek Brown has an excellent website with a full history of the design, along with details of the first example in 7 1/4 inch gauge completed, his own "Anna". Regular readers may remember the first ever run made by that engine back in 2009, on our old garden railway at home.

On a recent visit to our house (where "Pipit" currently resides in the garden room) Derek made a close inspection of the engine, having last driven it some months ago. Suffice it to say it met with the designer's approval who noted - favourably - that the builder had taken the trouble to make and fit his meticulously researched Giffard injector (although if you think a modern injector has a mind of its own, you want to try an antique French one - plus pour la décoration que la fonction...)