Sold March 2023 Back to Archive

Designed by James Holden for the Great Eastern Railway, the first of the class No.1900 "Claud Hamilton" was out-shopped in 1900. A handsome design featuring 7 foot diameter driving wheels, it won a Gold Medal at the Paris Exhibition of that year - at that time it was the GER's largest express locomotive.

Standard of workmanship is to a high standard throughout, the backhead neatly laid out with straight pipework runs. The Great Eastern lined midnight blue paintwork remains in good condition - it presents very well.

Boiler is fed by a pair of injectors which work well. It's had a recent twice working pressure hydraulic test and steam test, with new certification issued.

The locomotive is fitted with steam brakes, possible the most effective we've seen on any engine - they work beautifully.

The engine is free steaming and runs exceptionally well down to low speed, notching up nearly to mid-gear in either direction - there's some video of it on our YouTube channel here.