3 1/2 inch gauge J Class 4-8-4

A 3 1/2 inch gauge American 4-8-4, inspired by the Norfolk & Western streamlined J class locomotives built between 1941 and 1950.

A large locomotive, it's just over five feet long with tender and weighs in at just over a hundredweight.

The boiler has had hydraulic and steam tests with new certification issued. The safety valves accumulated when it arrived, so we fitted new spindles and springs - they now work reliably, dropping less than 5psi before closing.

The engine proved free-steaming and ran well on the rolling road. The steam pump is more decorative than functional - the previous owner tells us it's never worked; the steam operated front buffers are slow to retract - something of a first world problem...

A stylish design - we're rather taken with this one, something that's likely to attract interest wherever it runs.