7 1/4 inch gauge LMS 4F 0-6-0

A finely made 7 1/4 inch gauge LMS 4F, a one owner engine that has come to us direct from the builder, an experienced engineer who was also responsible for the 7 1/4 inch gauge S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 we sold recently.

The man spent his working life at a local power station, where a colleague at the time built the lovely little 3 1/2 inch gauge "Netta" we currently have in stock.

When starting out on the 4F build he was guided by another friend who had built a similar engine, declaring the drawings "absolutely hopeless"! As a result, he visited both the Nene Valley and Keighley & Worth Valley railways to photograph and measure preserved examples, as well as acquiring works drawings in order to make an authentic, finely detailed model.

At the latter railway, he asked the driver if he might take measurements of the connecting rods, to record the flute depth. The driver readily agreed then, measurement taken, asked to borrow the builder's steel rule - with which he proceeded to stir his tea...

The product of patient research and fine workmanship, the resulting model is an excellent representation of the type. As with all perfectionists, the builder worried to the end about the smallest of errors, the sum total of which are the tender brake column having four bolts on top instead of three, and the tender hinges and clasps being the wrong way round!

Steam for the blower - on the full size engine piped through the boiler - is taken through the dummy ejector exhaust pipe on the outside of the boiler. The ejector pipe is made from 7mm pipe, the handrail on the opposite side is 6mm - they don't match, just like on the prototype.

Snifting valves were drawn and made to authentic pattern - "if they're good enough for Mr Fowler, they're good enough for me"'; safety valves and gauge protectors were again made from scratch, for greater adherence to scale.

The CE-marked TIG-welded boiler was supplied new by Steam Technology in 2017. It has had recent hydraulic and steam tests, with new certification issued - there is also current club certification, along with original manufacturer's documentation.

The engine steamed freely and ran well on test. Safety valves were reliable; the hand pump and right hand injector proved effective, the left hand injector is more of an ornament than useful water feed.

The locomotive was fitted with steam brakes when built, although apparently unused - now, its steam valve requires a new handwheel and the cylinder would require stripping and servicing to recommission for use.

Complete with a quantity of spares, accessories and patterns used in its construction, including one for the driving wheels, beautifully made in aluminium.

There is a box of tools to facilitate running and maintenance including:

• spanner for removing the safety valve
• adaptor for a steam-raising blower (along with a special fixture to remove it if it gets stuck)
• jointed socket for the blowdown (the builder thought cutting a hole in the frames for access was sacrilege, preferring it awkward but correct)
• tool for priming the lubricator (mounted on the left hand side running board but easier to access from the right
• rear coupling rod cover, to avoid splashing the rod when draining the boiler