Steam Railway Locomotive - King ARTHUR
No.8 King Arthur is a coal fired 0-6-2 tank engine. Works No. 324 it was built in 2005 by Exmoor Steam Railway. It is one two locomotives of this type to have been built at Exmoor. The other was a 15 inch gauge engine. The Exmoor Steam Railway at Bratton Fleming in Devon are the UK's foremost builder of narrow gauge steam engines.
King Arthur is brand new and on its first test run in July 2005
This engine is the most powerful conventional steam engine of this track gauge in the World. It was given the name king Arthur as part of a theme around the legends of King Arthur on its arrival at Rudyard. It was designed to pull any possible train that may be required at Rudyard and has been completely successful. It can take a loaded 11 coach train up the gradient without difficulty.
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King Arthur has cylinders 4.75 inch bore X 7.5inch stroke. The boiler pressure is 150 Pounds per square inch and it has 13 inch diameter driving wheels. The valve gear has roller bearings throughout as do the axle boxes. it was built to be re-gaugeable to 12.25 inch gauge if required.
king Arthur has run every year since its arrival in 2005. It has needed very little other repair work. It can haul a loaded seven coach train without difficulty.
We have replaced the rear springs in August 2010 which is a challenge as they are difficult to get at.
More views and information on other steam locomotives and trains linked to this railway are on the locomotives pages.
Developments
The main improvement to the engine was the fitting of a new fire hole door and a special steel firebox arch. This greatly improved coal consumption. Fitting of a steam chest pressure gauge is planned.
