7 1/4 inch gauge "Metre Maid" 0-6-0T with tender

A new 7 1/4 inch gauge 0-6-0ST, scaled up from the 5 inch gauge "Metre Maid" design, in the same way that the 0-4-0ST "Sweet William" is scaled up from "Sweet Pea".

I first saw this engine in the builder's workshop back in 2017 when we went up North of the border to collect his 7 1/4 inch gauge Black 5 and 3 1/2 inch gauge 9F.

Now retired, the man started "on the tools" as an apprentice in Suffolk, eventually ending up in a senior role in the same company. Shortly before retirement he moved back to the workshop to train the next generation of machinists, ensuring that his considerable experience was not lost.

Completed in early 2020, the engine was taken out once and steamed - there were a variety of teething problems identified before it was put back on the trailer and taken home.

After the ensuing 18 months of lockdown, with nowhere to run the engine and its size and weight becoming an increasing problem for the builder, the decision was made to move it on and concentrate on something more manageable - the miniature V8 engine that is already well advanced in his workshop is the smallest I've ever seen, a jewel like thing!

Built to a high standard, fit and finish of all machined parts is excellent. The engine runs on air in both directions, in steam the boiler primes significantly - not uncommon in new steel boilers, where mill residue contaminates the water for the first few steamings.

Work required includes:

• Either repositioning water gauge fittings or putting a sleeve on the gauge glass - the bottom fittings are below the firebox crown
• Steam pump currently doesn't work - the builder has had it working on air, but it failed on steam
• Snifting valve doesn't seat
• Pressure gauge requires replacement

The boiler is commercially built, CE-marked, welded steel with expanded tubes.

The driving truck is fitted with electric high pressure boiler feed pump and an electric vacuum pump.