5 inch gauge North British "Glen" 4-4-0

A 5 inch gauge North British Railway K-Class "Glen" 4-4-0, a well-made engine at an advanced stage of construction.

The boiler has had a twice working pressure hydraulic test with new certification issued - it's a nicely made thing.

On test the engine steamed freely and ran well in either direction. The safety valves were on the very limit for the accumulation test - they either need new springs or replacement.

Neither axle pump nor injector are effective - the former not helped by a badly leaking gland which needs repacking. Fortunately the hand pump works beautifully, quickly replenishing the boiler when required.

There is a small amount of play in the axleboxes - machining tolerance rather than wear - and the reverser overthrows in reverse, it needs a stop collar.

The tender body is in brass - there are a few minor leaks from tank to sole plate, others from bolts underneath. The traditionalists would calk with soft solder, alternatively it could be sealed with one of the proprietary expoxy fuel tank sealants.

As ever our friends at Model Engineers Laser can provide a wide range of high quality profiled parts for this design, including the cab and running boards.

Rather a rare model in this - indeed in any - gauge. We've had a handful over the last twenty years, including this one which sold back in 2021.