This model was built in 1962 as a 5inch Narrow Gauge profile model by Don English. It was built by scaling up from an article in Model Engineer by Martin Evans on a 1.75” Scale model called ‘Zoe’. Rebuilt in 1979 by Geoff Stubbs and re-gauged to 7qtr. The locomotive has had a recent overhaul by the late Chris Perkins in 2012, which included:
Renewal of the backhead fittings and re-piping;
New detail added to the exterior of the boiler and running boards, including an air pump;
Rebushing the valve gear throughout;
A full repaint;
Steel tyres fitted.
Since then the loco has steamed and run a handful of times, so the loco is in excellent mechanical condition. It is clear that when the loco was repainted, the smokebox paint used was unable to cope with the heat, so this will need to be redone. The engine is quite powerful on account of the smaller wheels and large cylinders. The boiler steams very well and provides amply power to the two cylinders. The loco is fitted with Walschearts valve gear as per prototype. The loco has a Copper boiler fitted with relevant boiler paperwork. The overall length of the locomotive is 8ft 2ins.