Sold June 2008 Back to Archive

A "Polly I" with added tender, sort of a "Polly I 1/2" (I suppose it should really be a "Polly II 1/2" as it has both the side tanks of the "I" and tender of the "II") Owned from new by a gentleman who used to run at the Birmingham club track, the engine has been well looked after. A common wear point on tank engines is the valve gear, which tends to be "out of sight, out of mind", accessibly only with determination and a long-necked oil can. This engine has been fitted with an oil resevoir on the offside running board, feeding drip oilers for the eccentric straps which have remained in fine condition as a result.

Silver solder copper superheated boiler, 90psi working pressure, feed by axle pump and twin injectors with auxiliary hand pumps in tender and side tank. Gunmetal cylinders with slide valves actuated by Stephenson's reversing gear with pole reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator on running board.

The engine was in steam much of yesterday morning, it goes very well. There are minor jobs to do, including a loose link on one of the drain cocks, the handpump union sleeve needs resoldering as it leaks and the injectors need a clean. The engine comes with a comprehensive box of bits including tools, boiler blanking plugs, blower, oil, kindling and a tin of coal, it could be used straight away.