5 inch gauge Southern L1 4-4-0

A 5 inch gauge Southern L1, a well-built engine to LBSC's popular "Maid of Kent" design, serialised in "Model Engineer" magazine from 1947 to 1949.

A particularly well-built engine, it proved free-steaming on our rolling road, running well in either direction and keeping itself in steam and water without use of the blower.

The inside cylinder configuration of LBSC's design - he also offered it in outside cylinder form, often seen dressed up as a Midland 4-4-0 - is, in our opinion, particularly sweet-running, with Joy valve gear affording excellent valve events, the close pitched cylinders minimising any "shouldering" effect under load.

The boiler has had hydraulic and steam tests with new certification issued - the original injector, unreliable in operation, was replaced.

Offered as a running restoration, the engine is usable as-is, with attention to various minor jobs required over winter, including:

• Service steam brakes - currently inoperative
• Service mechanical brake on tender
• Some motionwork rebushing to take up wear

There is a steam pump fitted which is - as in the case of about 90% of those we encounter fitted to locomotives of this gauge - more decorative than functional.

Cosmetically the locomotive presents well - it's been recently repainted to a high standard. The tender is in in a slightly different shade of green to the locomotive - apparently the original livery, with some minor wear apparent.