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5 inch gauge Britannia "Shooting Star" - stock code 8870

A 5 inch gauge kit built Britannia "Shooting Star", it's come to us from the builder who has run it until recently at his club.

As with most of the Winson kit-build engines, "optimization opportunities" abound. It runs in a fairly asthmatic way, detailing is sparse in some places, odd in others.

Pictures show the engine in steam this morning on a very cold, wet day up here in Lincolnshire. It runs, wheels go around, steam comes out of the chimney - however, we see this as a "running restoration" project.

With much published information about these engines to assist, it's possible to turn one of these into a capable performer. We've had several well put together examples over the years which have gone well - there are pictures of a particularly good one in the archive here, showing what can be done starting from the same kit.

Complete with two binders containing the original assembly instructions, along with manufacturer's boiler certificate.

gauge 5 inch
length/inches 50 + 27
width/inches 10
height/inches 15
weight/kg est 120
wheel material cast iron
axlebox type plain bearing
cylinder material cast iron
valve type piston
valve gear Walschaerts
reverser type screw
lubricator type mechanical
injector(s) 2
boiler number 61
year built 1999
boiler maker Winson Model Technology
CE mark n/a, pre-2002
working pressure/psi 90
boiler type locomotive
boiler material copper
boiler construction silver soldered
hydraulic test valid to 17/Nov/23
steam test valid to 11/Feb/21
superheater(s) 2
superheater type flue tube
fusible plug yes
safety valve(s) 2
safety valve type spring
mechanical pump 1
hand pump 1
whistle yes