7 1/4 inch narrow gauge "Romulus" 0-4-0T

An interesting variation on the "Romulus" design, built as an 0-4-0T. The work of an experienced engineer, the builder was also a driver for one of the well-known 15 inch gauge commercial railways.

From his experience gained in building and driving locomotives from 3 1/2 to 15 inch gauge, much thought was put into designing and building this engine. A list of requirements and variations was drawn up, which included:

• Easy to control
• Hydrostatic cylinder lubricator with sight feeds, adjustable from the footplate
• No cab, for ease of access to controls
• Bulleid style injector layout, both on one side
• Black livery for easy of touching up during working life
• Vacuum brakes
• 4 gallon side tanks for extra adhesion
• Three-point suspension to reduce fore and aft oscillation on the track
• Oil cups feeding axles via trimmings as per full size, to keep the dirt out
• Steel brick arch for more efficient combustion
• Blower ring & petticoat pipe
• Brass slippers in the cross heads, easy to change when worn
• Ball valve regulator
• 1 inch deeper than standard firebox
• Separate smokebox
• Handbrake design reworked to clear the ashpan
• O-ring seals on all washout plugs and main filler on the dome to save thread wear. All parts in contact with the boiler water are bronze
• Commercial isolating gate valves on steam fountain, blow down and pressure gauge
• Additional bearings on brake cross shaft
• Sealed oil pots fitted to rods and, where possible, motion
• Stainless steel ashpan
• Whistle mounted between the frames
• Two layers of 3mm cork boiler lagging
• Wheels keyed to axles
• Steam operated drain cocks
• Phosphor bronze piston rods to reduce wear on glands
• Doping plugs fitted to valve chest covers with O-rings - used to does with anti-corrosion oil at the end of each run
• 3 cock water gauge
• Rear buffer beam reduced in width to give greater clearance for driver's feet

The boiler, although supplied new by Bennett Boilers of Bristol in 1995, has spent less than half its life fitted to the locomotive - not an unusual occurrence with protracted builds! It was lifted from the frames in 2019 for a thorough examination, with thickness readings taken by the builder's club boiler inspector, himself an experienced steam man with his own full-sized traction engine.

In recent days it's had steam and hydraulic tests, with new certification issued. The engine steams freely and runs well - there's some video of it on our YouTube channel here.

Overall a well sorted engine, with some thoughtful modifications to facilitate driving and maintenance. In addition to the pair of injectors - which work beautifully - the builder fitted a Stuart steam pump. Works well on air, but we couldn't get any sense out of it on steam.

We would be more than happy to give half a day's instruction on the steaming, running and disposal of the engine to a new owner if required.

Complete with a four wheel driver's truck, with upholstered seat, water tank and sprung buffers, along with drawings and a quantity of tools and spares.