7 1/4 inch narrow gauge 2-4-4T "Hartfield"

The work of a highly capable engineer who started model making many years ago with a 3 1/2 inch gauge "Rainhill" to the LBSC design - the engine remains in super condition, glass-cased in his house. More models followed, including a 5 inch scale Foster rope hauling engine built to the Live Steam Models design, which he rallied with his wife for several years.

Starting ten years ago, inspired by a visit to the MVR with friends, a project was conceived to build three locomotives to the heavy-duty, commercial specification that the railway specialises in. A subsequent visit saw the builders returning home with a wheelbarrow full of castings, plus machined cylinder sets and a boiler drawing. Machining of the wheelsets was contracted out to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch workshops in Kent.

Tube for the boilers was ordered from the same suppliers that we get "Stafford" boiler material from, components were then cut and machined in the home workshop before being assembled by a coded welder. The work was documented by photographs throughout and overseen by the boiler inspector, who subsequently conducted the initial hydraulic shell test and issued certification for same.

It's fair to say that little by way of expense has been spared during the build of the engine. Valves are all high quality by Pegler or Crane, the vacuum brake components by PNP Railways, water gauges came from Heritage Steam. Regulator is a stainless steel ball valve mounted on the side of the dome, safety valve a Nabic 542 - an effective, reliable device, we fitted them to the original batch of Staffords.

Motionwork and valve gear is, wherever possible, fitted with roller bearings, resulting in a very free-rolling chassis, with takeup bearings used for the main axleboxes. Tested, it runs well on air.

Work progressed over the next few years resulting in the locomotive as it is today. We rate it at about 85% complete, requiring some pipework, work to finish the reverser stand, boiler cladding and superstructure including cab, bunker and water tanks.

Of the three locomotives started, one was completed and has been running for several years, the other two - including this one - have yet to be finished.

For those unfamiliar with the size and proportion of Moors Valley engines, we sold "Robert Snooks" some years ago - smaller than "Hartfield", but giving a good idea of the general size. "Hartfield" is a large locomotive - with half inch thick frames and three quarter inch buffer beams, it currently weighs in at about 13 1/2 hundredweight, we estimate it will tip the scales at something over three quarters of a ton dry when finished.

There are several boxes of parts with the engine, including fittings, a vacuum ejector, pressure and vacuum gauges, a London Underground seat recently re-upholstered for the project (although we're not sure how long a fabric seat is going to stay even half clean in a working locomotive), rolled cladding support rings for the boiler and cardboard templates for cab and tanks traced from the MVR's "Hartfield".