Sold January 2005 Back to Archive

A really nice example of Martin Evans' freelance 2-6-2 tank engine "William", well-made and in good condition.

Silver soldered superheated boiler, working pressure 80 psi fed by axle pump with auxiliary hand pump in side tank. 0-120psi pressure gauge, water guage with blowdown. Twin safety valves.

Slide valve cylinders actuated by Walschaerts valve gear, screw reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator mounted very neatly inboard the offside frames, driven from the water pump wrist pin.

The paintwork is generally in good condition, admittedly slightly "two one" with the tanks a distinctly darker shade than the boiler. Mechanically the engine is in fine condition - the previous owner (builder of the superb 14xx and B1 I currently have in) was fastidious in his preparation and disposal of the engine and it shows, with little wear in axleboxes or motion and one of the tightest set of boiler fittings I've tested in a long time - on hydraulic test there was not so much as a bead of water from the blast pipe (where it usually appears past a worn regulator) or backhead fittings.

I'd never driven a "William" before, but it appears a worthy successor to designs such as LBSC's "Mona" - an ideal first-time engine with enough power to be interesting and a boiler large enough to look after itself for a reasonable time while you're watching the road!

Length 32 inches