Sold July 2022 Back to Archive

A 5 inch gauge BR Standard Class 7 No.70013 "Oliver Cromwell" - I remember as a boy visiting Bressingham with my father, having a footplate ride on the full-sized version and being allowed to sound its whistle - operated by a long steel lever pivoted in the top of the cab as I remember, it was as much as I could do to reach it.

The work of a highly capable model engineer, this locomotive started out life as a ModelWorks kit, although a great deal of time, effort and money have been expended in getting it to look very much closer to the prototype.

Work done includes:

• Replacement of all boiler fittings including steam valves, water gauges and clacks
• Replacement chimney and dome, machined to fit closely to the smokebox and barrel respectively
• Reworked boiler and firebox cladding for more authentic shape
• Reworked motionwork and valve gear components, outsides reprofiled and polished, flutes re-cut
• Correct pattern top manifold and dummy injector valves
• Dummy sanding gear fitted
• Correct four-bolt mounting return cranks fitted
• Fine scale Smith's speedometer gearbox with return crank
• Dummy washout plugs fitted in boiler barrel and backhead cladding
• Replacement drain cocks with exhaust pipework
• Replacement cab with correct pattern windows, frame beading, front brass spectacles and wind deflectors
• Replacement correct profile safety valves
• Reworked smoke deflectors with edge beading, rivet detail and dummy handholds
• Dummy exhaust ejector, pipework and cladding
• Timken axlebox covers to tender
• Extensively detailed cab

Cosmetically it's one of the finest looking kit Britannias we've seen, however it suffers from leakage past piston valves and/or pistons and a reverser that's ferociously stiff to operate (indeed we've yet to coax it into reverse) - neither problem unknown in kit engines. Many have been improved over the years with either cast iron or PTFE piston rings and PTFE valve bobbin seals - we sold this one earlier in the year which ran beautifully thus equipped.

Tested on completion by the builder's club, the engine has been run occasionally since - there is little discernible mechanical wear or deterioration of the paintwork.

Complete with commercial hydraulic bench with extension rails, fitted to store and load the engine.