Miniature SAR class 15F back in steam

After over 5 years of standing in bits I finally used the lockdown period to rebuild this 30 year old model steam loco. When first constructed she was built to a rather difficult design and was rather hard to work on and get into areas to maintain etc. Then about five years ago i decided to rebuild her and make her simple. I decided to fit a simple ball valve inside the smokebox and remove the superheaters just like all my other locomotives. Once done I gave the boiler a hydraulic test and all was great and so the fire was lit and she had steam up in no time. This was the first time in steam in over 5 years

[@MattafProductions]

Never gets dull watching an engine in steam! Something special about it the first time for a while too. 😁

[@Adventurescot]

Never a better moment than seeing that fire burning and the wheels turning for the first time. This of course was not her first time but after all the years standing in bits it was almost like the first time again ;-)

[@stained36]

whats that clicking?

[@Adventurescot]

Thats just the rods and motion. Its jacked up off the track so the axle boxes etc are down at their lowest point. Once its on the track it will be more balanced. Also the lubricator drive makes a bit of clicking