No.7 "Spitfire"
HistoryThe locomotive was designed and built specifically for the railway by Winson Engineering at Penryhn in North Wales and delivered to the railway at Whitsun, 1994.
The design is loosely based on the Indian Railway 'ZB' class of locomotive.
On Friday 20th June 1997 she was named Spitfire by Wing commander Wyn Evans and Group Captain Barry Titchen, Station Commanders of RAF Coltishall and RAF Neatishead.
The naming was in recognition of the role played by the Spitfire which flew from many local bases during World War II
In 2005 the locomotive was partially rebuilt in order to improve its efficiency, returning to traffic in March 2006.
During her heavy overhaul in 2011 the front end and steam pipes were redesigned improving efficiency.
The locomotive is owned by the Bure Valley Railway.
Technical details: Gauge: 15 inches
Length: 28 foot
Width: 4 foot, 3 inches
Height: 5 feet, 7 inches
Working Weight: 12½ tons
Coal Capacity: 15 cwt
Water Capacity: 2,000 Ltrs (440 gallons)
Wheel Arrangement: 2-6-2
Driving Wheel Diameter: 24 inches
Boiler Pressure: 180 psi
Boiler Diameter: 24 inches
Firebox grate area: 5½ feet ²
Cylinder Size: 6½ inch diameter by 11 inch stroke
Valve diameter: 3 inches
Nominal Tractive Effort: 2,963 Ibs
Valve Gear: Walschaerts
Livery: The loco is painted British Railways 1951 locomotive Green
No.7 is currently out of service and in our workshops for a 10 yearly heavy overhaul. She will return to service in 2021