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Leek & Manifold
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3 inches to 1 foot scale model of the locomotives built to run on the Leek and Manifold Light Railway in Staffordshire. The original engines were designed by E R Calthrop who was CME of the Leek & Manifold and built by Kitsons of Leeds.
This model was started around 2001 by the late Peter Fells working to a design of Derek Edisbury. Peter had just got the chassis running on air when he died quite suddenly in the autumn of 2005. Following Peter’s untimely death I was asked by his family if I would consider taking on the task of finishing the model, and after some consideration decided to do so and took possession of the loco in the Spring of 2006.
Apart from the running chassis, there were many other parts either as castings or laser profiles and including a professionally built copper boiler and stainless steel side tanks. There were a large collection of drawings ranging from CAD drawings to scraps of envelope, but I soon discovered that these were mostly of parts already made.
Over the last three years, as time has permitted, I have worked on the loco with the intention of building a locomotive that is a fair representation of the original that ran on the Leek & Manifold Railway. I am not attempting a close scale, finely detailed model but rather a robust and powerful engine that will be capable of sustained hard work and bears more than a passing resemblance to the original.
It is hoped that it will be possible to steam test the loco during the coming summer and complete it as soon as possible after this. It is intended that on completion this loco will be offered for sale by the owner.
Work done since 2006 Brake gear, Ash pan and grate, Smoke box fittings, Blast pipe and blower, Regulator and wet header, Fire doors, Reverser stand. Chimney, Dome cover, Drain cocks, Lubricator, Boiler cladding, Footplates, Tank fittings.
First steaming November 4th 2009 The loco was successfully steamed for the first time on November 4th. Apart from a few minor steam leaks and a slight problem with the vacuum brake getting stuck on the first firing up went very well and all important items such as safety valves, blower and injectors working well. It is hoped to have the boiler steam test conducted soon followed by steaming trials on a local track. |
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Steam trial at Abbeydale Miniature Railway On Thursday 27th May 2010 the loco made its first trip to Abbeydale to steam up and have a run round the track. Steam was quickly raised and the engine moved under its own power for the first time. Some difficulty was experienced with the rather tight radius curves (as little as 35’ radius in places) but otherwise a fairly successful run. Some modifications will be made to the flanges on the centre drivers to allow easier passage on curves before our next outing. |
