Originally well-built, the engine has suffered in recent times from rather more use than maintenance. On the plus side the boiler is in good condition - it's had ultrasonic survey, internal inspection and hydraulic test with new certification issued.
Following hydraulic test, some basic servicing work allowed us to steam the engine, including resetting the mechanical lubricator so that it pumped oil, and freeing off the injector steam and blowdown valves.
With that done, it proved to steam freely and actually go surprisingly well - a tribute to the quality of build in the first place. It's a useful size at just over eight feet long and a little under a ton, allowing for side-by-side driver and passenger seats mounted on the tender - a companionable arrangement, and ideal for teaching a beginner.
We'd class this one as something of a running restoration - the work required needing more by way of workshop time than expenditure, including:
The engine runs on rubber tyres, it's road-registered, with V5 document.
Complete with firing irons and a canopy with associated stays.
length/inches | 95 |
width/inches | 44 |
height/inches | 59 |
weight/kg | 850 |
wheel material | steel |
axlebox type | plain bearing |
cylinder material | cast iron |
valve type | slide |
valve gear | Stephensons |
reverser type | pole |
V5/registration number | LX68 CAU |
injector(s) | 1 |
boiler number | 291 |
year built | 2012 |
boiler maker | AJB Engineering |
CE mark | yes |
working pressure/psi | 120 |
boiler type | locomotive |
boiler material | steel |
boiler construction | welded, expanded tubes |
hydraulic test valid to | 9-May-2026 |
fusible plug | yes |
safety valve(s) | 2 |
safety valve type | spring |
mechanical pump | 1 |
whistle | yes |
road speed(s) | 2 |
differential | yes |