5 inch gauge NBR Glen 4-4-0

A 5 inch gauge North British "Glen" 4-4-0 to the Don Young design, one of the rarer types we come across.

This one has come to us direct from the builder, a retired marine engineer. Aged 60, he bought his first lathe and started building models of the engines he had looked after during his working life.

Following on from those, he started on the Glen – completed 12 years ago, it has had light, regular use in the hands of its builder. His only reason for parting with the engine now is that, with the passing of years, he finds it isn't getting any lighter...

A well-built engine – exactly what you'd expect of a professional engineer – with many practical details to facilitate running and maintenance.

The piston and valve rods are fitted with Viton O-rings, giving leak-free operation. They have been replaced once in all the time the engine has been running. The main axleboxes are fitted with Oilite bushes, while the tender axleboxes have working oilers, with an O-ring inside to prevent leaks.

Extension controls are fitted for the regulator and blower, allowing easy control from the back of the tender.

The axle pump bypass and injector water feed valves are mounted within easy reach at the rear of the tender. There is a separate valve to isolate the axle pump feed, so that water doesn't leak out when the tender is disconnected.

The blowdown valve is fitted at the bottom of the backhead, above the foundation ring. There is a key to operate same, making what is often a fiddly job straightforward.

The inner dome is fitted with a removable plug, eliminating the need to remove a safety valve when filling the boiler.

The cab, running boards and tender are neatly hand-riveted and painted in prototypically correct black; the frames were never painted from new.

The cab roof is easily removable – the builder preferring to drive without it for ease of access to the controls.

We rate this one – it steams freely and runs beautifully in either direction. All water feeds worked without fuss, the safety valves opened at 80psi and closed reliably at 70-75psi. All in all, it has the feel of a well-sorted engine.