Black Beauty

Now, contrary to what you might think, the layout is not slowly becoming a steam operated railway although we do now have three steam locomotives which we fully intend to use on a regular basis.

Thus far the only one that is operational is our BR Standard Class 5. The other two: the S&D 7F and this one, a Bachmann Standard Class 4MT, both need to be kitted out with a decoder and lights etc before they can be used.

Actually, we have had this particular loco since before we went digital and it was briefly used in those far-off analogue days. However, since going digital she has been stored away in her box awaiting conversion.

The prototype loco was designed by R A Riddles with 155 being constructed between 1951 and 1956 and, of these, 15 have passed into preservation.

We originally bought our model because, not only is she a beautiful loco, she is also of the type that my steam-mad sister drove a couple of years ago on the Swanage Railway; it being a birthday present from the rest of the family. 

So, quite clearly, when she IS ready to haul trains on the layout once more, she will most definitely have to have a female driver on the footplate.

Hmm, other trains had better beware!