The basis for this model is a Kingscale BR Standard Class 4 Tank which I bought new, but vastly improved to become a reliable easy to drive passenger hauling locomotive.

It ran in original form and of course these Kingscales always look superb, but it had a high water consumption and wouldn't pull much of a load. There were also aspects of the model that would lead to it having a short life, such as unsealed roller bearings on the driving wheel axles and no drag box to take pulling loads, which as a result were taken by the very attractive but not-strong-enough-for-that, bodywork. And an ineffective displacement lubricator which would lead to rapid cylinder wear.

I commissioned professional model engineer Ben Pavier to put all that right, and also to make many more improvements to the loco. It is now a superb performer as a useful passenger-hauling club loco. Ben even ran it at IMLEC last year.

Sadly health reasons have curtailed my operation of 5" steam locos (I still run an electric loco) so it is for sale through Ben, who is also offering at no extra charge, a warranty until next steam test (almost a year). There is almost 3 years left on the hydraulic test certificate. The warranty covers anything failing on the loco (obviously this excludes any failure caused by mis-use or resulting from work done on the loco by anyone but Ben after the sale).
Try before you buy - Ben will run it and the buyer can drive it to show all is well.

It really is a cracking loco now it's been 'sorted'. I've had great fun running it, but sadly I have to let it go.


Here is a list of the changes Ben has made to the loco:

1) Stronger horn blocks with extra bolts to the frames.

2)New axleboxes, eliminating the short-life original roller bearings.

3)New larger diameter silver steel axles.

4)New crank pins.

5)Coupling rods bored and bushed.

6)All rods and motion polished to a smooth finish to prevent premature wear.

7)All new pins and bushes fitted, eliminating the slop and play in the motion.

8)Die blocks fitted.

9)New pistons for a far better fit in the cylinders.

10)New valves for a far better fit in the valve chests.

11)Re-porting and enlargement of the too small steam passages to allow the loco to breath as it should, plus elimination of excess piston-to-cylinder-end clearance at TDC and BDC.

12)Superheater header mod to enable unimpeded gas flow through superheater flues.

13)Two new Len Steel injectors in place of the original single one.

14)Deletion of axle pump and steam brake.

15)New BP engineering - design ‘pop’ safety valves and ‘LMS’ whistle in place of the squeaky original.

16)Bunker tank filler and drain fitted.

17)Mod to hand pump to improve its action and prevent jamming.

18)Regulator valve lapped in to ensure it fully closes.

19)Two mechanical lubricators (one for each cylinder) in place of the ineffective single displacement lubricator.

20)Mechanical drain cocks in place of the unreliable steam operated ones.

21)Drag box added to rear of chassis so it it can pull the heavy loads it is now capable of hauling without distorting the bodywork.

Here is Ben's video of him driving the loco. Note the 'pop' safety valves, LMS whistle, and lack of 'blow by' steam at the chimney (there was a lot before Ben sorted it):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdVNFfS41Ks

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