We're told that it's been worked on professionally during the last ownership, with the draincocks and safety valves serviced.
Steaming it here proved to be a disappointing experience. The regulator was seized, freeing off slightly when hot but still stiff at higher pressure; the left hand side injector clack leaks; it remains an asthmatic runner, most of the steam roaring straight up the chimney.
We've performed a hydraulic test at 140psi - while the boiler appeared structurally sound, we haven't issued certification on account of a leak under the dome. We suspect that this is the inner dome gasket, but the dome has been filled and painted and is not easily removable - there are marks where someone's tried to prise it off in the past.
A finely made 5 inch gauge LMS Jubilee, an elegant design which we rarely see modelled - not sure whether it's making three cylinders or a taper boiler that puts people off, but there must have been a hundred B1s built to every one of these.
This is an older engine, steamed we are told once or twice in the last two years. It came to us in part exchange for a Duchess, along with the 9F currently listed.
Listed under our "locomotives" section, it's partway between a running engine and a project. Boiler is sound and has a new hydraulic test. One safety valve has a seized cap and accumulates, the drain cock springs need replacing.
We found it pretty asthmatic under steam - however the last owner swears that with a good load behind it goes well.
Jury's out on that. We have this one firmly down as a running restoration - an interesting, rather beautiful engine for those of an enquiring mind, a practical bent and a decent workshop.
| gauge | 5 inch |
| length/inches | 43+26 |
| width/inches | 10 |
| height/inches | 15 1/2 |
| weight/kg | 92 + 28 |
| wheel material | cast iron |
| axlebox type | plain bearing |
| cylinder material | cast iron |
| valve type | piston |
| valve gear | Walschaerts |
| reverser type | screw |
| injector(s) | 1 |
| boiler number | N75-90-33 |
| year built | 2000 |
| boiler maker | Norman Spink |
| CE mark | n/a - pre-2002 |
| 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 | 1 |