Built by Trevor Shortland and completed in 1992, the Prairie was built to his own highly detailed design, scaled from works drawings at 1 1/6 inch to the foot - drawings and castings remain available to this day, now stocked by A.J.Reeves.
Last time the engine was here, it ran well although a then-recent paint job in very thick, glossy green paint didn't do much for its appearance.
The intervening years have't been kind to the engine, it's in a pretty forlorn state now - the green is still thick and glossy, although falling off in places. The engine runs on air in a fairly lumpy manner; one spectacle is detached and in the bunker, the other missing; one sandbox needs reattaching.
Time for a "heavy overhaul" on this one - given the quality of original build and the rarity of large Prairies in this gauge, it would be a worthwhile project.
length/inches | 44 |
width/inches | 10 1/2 |
height/inches | 15 |
weight/kg | est 90 |
wheel material | cast iron |
cylinder material | cast iron |
valve type | piston |
valve gear | Stephensons |
reverser type | pole |
lubricator type | displacement with sight feed |
injector(s) | 2 |
boiler number | N13-90-289 |
year built | 1992 |
boiler maker | T Shortland |
CE mark | n/a - non-commercial |
working pressure/psi | 90 |
boiler type | locomotive |
boiler material | copper |
boiler construction | silver soldered |
superheater(s) | 3 |
superheater type | radiant |
safety valve(s) | 2 |
safety valve type | spring |
hand pump | yes |