Carting firewood with "Romulus" this was my first engine, built in 1998. In 2002 I changed the valve gear from Hackworth to Walschaerts & fitted steam brakes & axle driven pump.Later the same year I bought & fastened on stainless steel letters & numbers on all the engines. The Diesel is powered by a Villiers petrol engine I purchased at an auto jumble for £70. This was the first engine I designed & built, at the same time as I was building "Tinkerbelle". Originally this engine was belt driven but the belts slipped badly on the gradients, so using the back axle off a Robin Reliant I converted it to chain drive. Very successfull.
"Tinkerbelle" was the second engine I built in 1999, to enable it to negotiate the sharp curves I set the front axle back 2inch. The only problem I have with this engine is I burn my knees due to my long legs.In 2002 I fitted steam brakes & axle driven pump. My nephew who is much taller than me has to sit on the back of the seat & still burns his legs.
I designed & built the "Garratt" in 2000. The seat is well back from the fire so better to drive. A powerfull engine but heavy on coal.In 2002 I fitted steam brakes & axle driven pump
