Sold July 2014 Back to Archive

7 1/4 inch gauge Bridget 0-6-0T "Alex" - stock code 6166

I've had this one in before (twice), we last sold it in 2012 having originally bought it in 2008 from a friend of the builder. Pictures below were taken today, words are from the 2012 listing - it's still in substantially the same condition, runs well although now coming up towards a repaint.

An interesting variation on Ken Swan's fine "Bridget" design, originally conceived as an 0-4-2T but here built in 0-6-0T form, the frames extended by 2 3/4 inches over standard and with a distinctive round-topped cab as fitted to "Lambton No.29". The builder is a man whose work has featured in these pages before, I have the highest regard for his abilities. Amongst many engines built in a lifetime of model engineering, some that have come through the workshop here include a superb 7 1/4 inch gauge "Locomotion", 5 inch gauge Caledonian 2-4-0, LSWR O2, La France fire engine and LNER V1 (which went like the clappers - it's since been stripped and repainted handsomely into black livery). His work and workshop featured in a news page a couple of years back if you care to check on some of the other projects this remarkable man has completed over the years.

Silver soldered copper boiler, working pressure 80psi, feed by twin injectors (which, typically, sport engraved brass tags on their feed pipes so you can't possibly plumb them up the wrong way round when refitting!) with PTFE-seat non-return valves, twin White-type pop safety valves. Regulator slide is made of copper-impregnated PTFE. Bunker tank has increased capacity for feeding injectors, the stainless steel grate hinges to empty.

Cast iron cylinders with slide valves actuated by Walschaert's gear, modified Ell-draughting exhaust with 1/4 inch blast nozzle. Mechanical Ewins-type lubricator and odometer mounted behind front buffer beam. Paintwork is flamboyantly lined, it is in generally good condition, although faded on the boiler immediately behind the smokebox and with some repainting. The driving truck is fitted with a driver's handbrake and check chain for the coupling. The boiler blanking plugs are, again typically for the builder (himself a club boiler inspector), mounted neatly on a plate stored in the tender for when needed.

Sam and I ran the engine on the railway at home earlier in the year, it was last in steam on Monday for the boiler inspector.

Length
Locomotive 37 inches
Tender 30 inches

gauge 7 1/4 inch