A New Locomotive for the Stapleford Miniature Railway

The 3 inch to the foot scale East African railway and harbours 31 class metre gauge 2-8-4 is the latest locomotive to enter service on the SMR fleet from member and locomotive builder Mr John Wilks

Following completion in 1998 of the NYC Niagara, John turned his attention to his other project, the 31 which had been started and abandoned in the 60s and purchased as a bag of parts in 1977 by John. Apart from a start in 1977/78 at erecting the frame, the majority has been completed over the last 10 years and commissioning on the line commenced through September and October 2008 with the loco entering passenger service on the 12th October 2008 at a special invitation private ceremony with the new station also being opened by Dr Pete Waterman OBE

The Tribal 31 class was one of the last orders for steam locos built at Vulcan’s Newton-Le-Willows works and in fact, a 31 class from that order was the last steam loco tested at the works in January 1956. A few survive in preservation

Note that the earlier class 29 and NBL 30s were also given the Tribal class name.

The full size loco being metre gauge, means the loco is quite large when scaled to fit on 10 ¼” track compared to the other locos and is nearly as big as the Berkshire and certainly wider giving a very comfortable space in the drivers cab

As per the prototype, the loco is also fired by oil, albeit a lighter grade (Kerosene) than its bigger brother but it has proved to burn very efficiently with no soot and little fumes (important with open stock in our tunnel)

The loco has also proved on its unveiling, that it can handle fully loaded nine car sets from a standing start on the Haven bank unassisted as it was unveiled for the first time at the new station opening in front of invited guests including Dr Pete Waterman OBE who also got a chance to sit in the cab!

 

Thanks to Nigel Spencer for the press release and photo.

© 2008 Copyright - Miniature Railway World, All Rights Reserved. Please note that MRW is not a commercial website and is run by enthusiasts of miniature railways.

Please do not use any content from Miniature Railway World, without prior permission from the Miniature Railway World team.