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Maxitrak Opal No. 2359 'Christine Mary'
Produced by Maxitrak Engineering of Staplehurst, Kent, this loco was purchased by the Woodrow Light Railway in late 2004 for use on the new line being built here. It was factory painted, and supplied in kit form to its first owner, and after two steamings over one year was sold to us via the Maxitrak second hand page for a very keen price. It has a boiler certificate until September 2006, and has got various extras including spoked wheels and brass dome. It has Marshall valve gear powered by two keen sized cylinders using steam from a coal fired Cheddar boiler (the Maxitrak standard). It has been fitted with cool touck knobs on the blower and water gauges and also has extra 'easy-lubricating' parts for the axleboxes, neither of which are standard.
Fittings include: Regulator, reverser, whistle, water gauge (boiler), water gauge (tanks), crosshead pump, hand pump, drain cocks, blower, blow down valve and boiler drain.
The loco is the standard maxitrak size (around 35" long, 15" wide and 20" tall) and will haul up to 12 adults. The loco is expected to, after being tested at the WLR, make various appearances at the Vale of Aylesbury Model Engineering Society's track at Quainton Road, Bucks, where the main circuit is dual gauge 5" and 7.25", with the original circuit being those two with 3.5" as well.
The loco is finished in red with yellow and black lining. It carries Hunslet and Maxitrak works plates as well as the 'Christine Mary' nameplates.
During the spring of 2005 we are planning to overhaul the bottom half of the loco, with the spring clips being replaced by split pins, and general tidying up. The loco will also not be appearing at the VAMES May gala, due to other commitments.
Here are some pictures, with an attempt at a description! (ALL ARE COURTESY OF MAXITRAK LIMITED unless stated). More to follow.
Here is our Opal under construction. The crosshead pump and marshall valve gear can easily be seen.
Here are Opal is working. The riding truck behind is also at the WLR.
Here are Opal and riding car are on display on track, previous to our purchase.
Here are the two items again, this time giving a gret low-level view of the loco. Some of the controls can be seen.
The final view on the grass, giving a view of the rivetted detail on the bufferbeam and buffer.
Here the loco is seen after purchase by the WLR. Photo by Murray Tremellen.
The cab controls (photo by WLR). From right to left: Brake, water tank gauge and tank drain, crosshead pump, blowe firebox door, regulator, blow down valve, pressure gauge, whistle, boiler water gauge and drain, drain cocks, reverser.
The Hunslet plate (photo WLR)
On the first day since the opening of the extension 'Christine Mary' approaches the end of the route. Steam is caused by both the blower, and the fact that this part of the line is on a 1-in-50 grade (photo WLR)