STORTFORD
RAILWAY
STORTFORD
RAILWAY
Steam Railmotor Page
This page is set aside for news on the current railmotor project.
Background
The Jersey Railway (3'6'' gauge) ran three Sentinel steam railmotors from 1923. Nos 1 and 2 were, initially at least, known as "The Pioneer". Sentinel-Cammell built other railmotors as well; particularly well-known are those for the LNER. The railmotor was a steam engine and coach all in one. It was compact and easy to turn around. Its disadvantage was that when it needed maintenance you lost the coach as well as the loco. The popularity of the railmotor waned and the motor train (or auto-train as some would have it) replaced it.
On the Stortford Railway we have long enjoyed the services of a "County Donegal" - style railcar. The advantage of this vehicle is that it is an instant train, requiring only a driver, and with easy supervision of passengers. We hope that some of these advantages will be apparent in the railmotor, which will also have the interest of watching a steam engine at work.
Design
The railmotor will be articulated like the railcar; it will have an 0-4-2 steam tractor and a coach trailer. The design is represented by the picture below.
This
is what Sentinel-Cammell would have built if they had made a 7¼ gauge
railmotor. On the Stortford Railway it will be The Sentinel, No 7.
Build Progress
The steam unit is built; it utilises an incomplete second-hand 0-4-2 of unknown origins and has had Marshall valve gear added. This works on air...but who knows whether it will work in earnest?! The boiler is of steel; it has passed its hydraulic test and has been completed by an expert. Pipework is ready for the silver solder! I have sent the unit for completion by Denver Light Railway.
The forward part of the railmotor is taking shape. It is intended that the vehicle will be made in parts so that it can be easily transported (in a car, I hope!). The front is largely complete:
The coach unit is being built at the moment and a first "mock-up" picture shows the approximate size.
This page was updated on Friday 30 March 2007.