7 1/4 inch narrow gauge Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST "Chatham"

A professionally built 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST "Chatham", built to Derek Brown and Mark Smithers' meticulously researched and highly detailed "Anna" design, published in "Model Engineer" magazine between April 2004 and February 2006.

A one-owner engine, it was commission built for a private collector. The builder is a man whose work we know and greatly admire, he was also responsible for the magnificent 7 1/4 inch gauge Standard Class 2, Manning Wardle 2-6-2T "Yeo" and 4 inch scale Burrell DCC road locomotive that we've sold recently.

Engines by the same builder and retained in his own collection include one of the finest 7 1/4 inch gauge GWR Kings we've seen, a 3 inch scale Fowler DCC road locomotive and 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge Hunslet "Lilla".

The Manning Wardle has come to us as part of a larger collection of locomotives and rolling stock. Whilst the other locomotives ran on the owner's extensive garden railway, "Chatham" was left with the builder after completion, kept there to be run on his railway whenever the owner visited. As such it has seen the lightest of use whilst enjoying meticulous maintenance in the hands of the builder - it remains in close to ex-works condition throughout.

The commercially built copper boiler by Western Steam has had recent hydraulic and steam tests with new certification issued, with club history dating back to when it was new.

Feed is by a pair of injectors - a modern one sitting unobtrusively under the offside running board and a magnificent replica of the vintage Giffard originally fitted, mounted on the nearside and built as detailed in Derek Brown's design.

The locomotive is fitted with a steam brake and vacuum braking equipment for the tender (which itself is vacuum-braked) and train. There is a combined steam and vacuum brake valve on the engine and a vacuum brake valve on the tender which sits closer to hand for emergencies!

Finished in a particularly nice shade of deep maroon, lined out and with a good deal of brasswork which polishes beautifully.

As you might expect, this one runs every bit as well as it looks - it drives like a new engine. Free steaming, it's responsive to the regulator, injectors work reliably, the brakes are sensitive and effective - when in steam earlier today, everybody wanted a drive of it!

Offered complete with firing irons, a starter kit of coal and oil, and 12 months warranty. We would be more than happy to give half a day's instruction on the steaming, running and disposal of the locomotive to a new owner.