{"product_id":"5-inch-gauge-southern-i3-tank-stock-code-2246","title":"5 inch gauge Southern I3 tank","description":"\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cfont color=\"#FF0000\"\u003eI last sold this engine in 2005, it's  recently come back having seen little use in the last two years. I still rate it  as one of the best-running large tank engines that I've ever owned - it's the  one you may remember pictured on one of the news pages some time ago with  David's 50p balanced on the running boards whilst running at speed on the  rolling road.\u003c\/font\u003e  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eDesigned by D.E.Marsh for the LB\u0026amp;SCR, the I3 tanks were  built from 1907 onwards at Brighton Works, one of the earliest classes to be  superheated. An extremely successful design, they were one of the most useful  engines the company built. Very powerful for their size, the tanks held 2000  gallons of water and they regularly pulled 240 ton trains on 27 lbs of coal and  23 gallons of water per mile (and not a lot of people know that!).  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eOn the fast London-Brighton route, the engines regularly posted  good times with twelve coaches behind, a load of almost 360 tons. In 1909,  alternating on the Rugby-Brighton \"Sunny South\" express service with  LNWR Precursors, they put up such a performance that the London North Western  reconsidered their rather antipathetic stand on superheating.  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eThis is a very well made example of a rarely-built prototype  design. In 5 inch gauge, the I3 makes an imposing engine, some four inches  longer even than the large Prairie I've got at the moment. It has had very little use -  it is mechanically in as-new condition and the paintwork is super, with hand  lettered tanks.  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eAll-welded steel boiler with stainless steel radiant  superheaters. Feed by twin injectors, water fed from two copper side tanks and  interconnected bunker tank. Twin safety valves, working pressure 80psi, 0-150psi  pressure gauge, water gauge with glass protector and blowdown. Two inside  cylinders with Joy valve gear, pole reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator  behind front buffer beam.  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eI've driven this engine for much of this afternoon (nearly  getting sunstroke in the process!). It steams very quickly and is an absolute  joy to drive - very steady running (which I'm sure is to do with the inside  cylinders - my \"Mona\" is just the same) and with decent reserves of  power. The large wheels make for a most relaxed exhaust beat, the injectors work  like demons! Given 40 psi on the clock, they will fill the boiler bottom nut to  top in under a minute - for all normal running conditions, one is easily master  of the job.  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eI like this engine. All the advantages of a tender engine (the  front bogie gives good high speed running in the corners, the big wheels give a  decent turn of speed and the size of the thing gives plenty of power) yet very  convenient to drive - no leaning across half a yard of tender to get at the  regulator!  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eIf anybody knows the significance of \"T \u0026amp; Co.  LNER\" stamped into the brass base to the bunker tank, I'd like to know.  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eLength 48 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Weight approx 160 pounds  \u003c\/p\u003e    \u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54019998515541,"sku":"2246","price":4750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/2246-1.webp?v=1779909320","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/5-inch-gauge-southern-i3-tank-stock-code-2246","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}