5 inch gauge 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Garratt "Shere Khan"

A freelance 5 inch gauge 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Garratt "Shere Khan", the work of a remarkable, gifted engineer who also produced a batch of three 7 1/4 inch gauge Moguls with similar features and valve gear - we sold one of them back in 2019, there are pictures and a write up of it in the archive.

The Garratt was, for many years, on display at Bressingham Steam Museum before being sold - as I remember it was around the time that Bressingham had the Exmoor engine "St.Christopher" from us, their 15 inch gauge "Flying Scotsman" coming in part exchange.

The Garratt went to a long time customer of ours who had a new boiler made by Western Steam and restored the engine to running order. Tested at his club it was found to be a spirited performer although the COVID lockdown, announced shortly after completion of the overhaul, meant chances to run the engine were limited.

Since arriving with us the boiler has had hydraulic and steam tests - with little use from new, it remains in excellent condition. The axle and hand pumps work reliably, the safety valves have a satisfyingly positive action, both opening and closing.

The engine makes steam like it's going out of fashion, running for prolonged periods on the rolling road without need of the blower and keeping itself in steam and water. There is some wear in the front bogie motion and blow by past the valves and/or pistons on the rear bogie, possibly as a result of lack of recent use and likely to improve with further steamings.

The single eccentric, variable cutoff valve gear, similar to that fitted to "Bagheera" is ingenious and highly effective. Not one we'd seen before and would, without doubt, be a talking point at the club!

The engine breaks down easily into two bogies and chassis with boiler, making moving and transporting it an easy one-man operation.