Leek & Manifold E.R.Calthrop / J.B.Earle

The Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway was a 2' 6" gauge line that ran from Waterhouses to Hulme End in Staffordshire and opened in 1904. Although a private concern, it was originally operated by the North Staffordshire Railway but in 1923 came under the control of the LMS Railway. It closed to traffic in 1934. The railway had two large 2-6-4 tank locomotives built by Kitson & Co. of Leeds in 1904. Numbered 1 and 2, and bearing the names E. R. Calthrop and J. B. Earle, they were both scrapped shortly after the line closed, though some of the impressive name plates still survive.

The model is not suitable for small railways with tight curves. It will require a minimum of 3’ (900mm) radius to operate effectively.

Technical specifications

• Outside framed 2-6-4 chassis with two double acting slide valve cylinders operated by simplified Walschaerts type valve gear.
• Internal gas firing using our 'FG' type burner.
• Controls fitted as standard are :- steam regulator, safety valve, pressure gauge, displacement lubricator, water gauge, gas regulator and reversing gear.
• Glazed cab windows.
• Water gauge and top-up system fitted as standard.
• Dimensions (loading gauge): length (over buffer beams) 430mm, width 120mm, height 155mm.
• Weight: 5kg ( with r/c).
• Full radio control is available for both regulator and reversing valve gear using 2.4GHz.
• A gauge conversion kit is available separately to allow changing between 32mm and 45mm gauge. Please state gauge when ordering.
• Supplied with etched brass plates for both E.R.Calthrop and J.B.Earle.
• Insulated wheels fitted as standard.
• Available in any standard Roundhouse colour.