7 1/4 inch gauge LB&SCR D1 class 0-4-2T

A 7 1/4 inch gauge LB&SCR D1 0-4-2T. Designed by William Stroudley, a class of 125 locomotives was built at Brighton Works between 1873 and 1887 - remarkably some were still working into the British Railways era, the last of the class being withdrawn in 1951. None have survived into preservation.

The work of a professional model engineer with many fine locomotives to his credit - including the 7 1/4 inch gauge Wainwright "D" and GWR 47XX we sold last year, as well as a 5 inch gauge LSWR 02 which we had in 2012 - he regarded the D1 as his "magnum opus". Built to works drawings at 1.54 inches to the foot, the model was based on his own research and using patterns specially made for the project.

The locomotive is painted and lined to exhibition standard, with the name picked out in gold leaf following LB&SCR practice of the time. The paint was specially mixed to match Dr. J Bradbury Winter's 5 inch gauge "Como" in the Brighton Museum, widely regarded not only as one of the finest models ever built, but also carrying the most accurate depiction of contemporary LB&SCR livery. Built between 1884 and 1897, it is believed to have been painted at Brighton Works when the original engines were still in current service.

Run on air but never steamed - "I was too scared of damaging the paint" according the builder - the engine remains in ex-works condition.

No.24 "Brambletye" was built in 1878 and ran until withdrawn in 1925, running for a short period in Southern livery after grouping in 1923.