7 1/4 inch narrow gauge 0-4-2T "Bicton"

A well-advanced 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge 0-4-2T locomotive, designed and built as one of a batch of three locomotives some years ago - one was completed, this one was built up to an air-running state, complete with boiler.

Conceived as a sit-in design by a chartered engineer - a man with 25 years experience in the aero industry - as an evolution of Roger Marsh's "Tinkerbell". He had previously designed and built the motion for one of the Moors Valley Railway locomotives, to which this engine bears more than a passing resemblance. Drawings were done in SolidWorks, a set on CD are included.

Platework was laser cut, much of the machining work was done on the designer's CNC mill. The motionwork features sealed ball bearing units throughout to reduce maintenance.

Cylinders are 3 1/2 inch bore, the CE-marked boiler was supplied by Bell Boilers and is complete with their documentation, designed and tested at 300psi for 150psi working pressure.

In addition to the chassis and boiler there is a smokebox, chimney base casting, grate and ashpan. The inner dome cover is fitted with a pair of part-built safety valves.