Low End Works believe the new “Kitson Steam Tram” being built by Mamod could form the basis of a new steam loco for slow banking and shunt releasing on the SdR, as an alternative to the battery electric locos. It has a two-cylinder geared oscillating engine and 50psi vertical boiler, and is expected to be powerful, slow and noisy.
So a deal has been done directly with Mamod at their factory in Smethwick and an order placed for supply of the Kitson chassis/engine/boiler assembly as a ready to run unit without any bodywork. Delivery is expected w/c 19 September 2022.
- The chassis width will need to be cut down to fit the SdR loading gauge
- The chimney will need to be lowered
- Bodywork for the tram engine will be designed and evaluated in 3D using Cardboard Aided Design and origami
- The bodywork will be fabricated from sheet steel
- Mamod engineers in Smethwick very kindly emailed us to say that their water level sight glass blow-down valve extends 60mm from the centre line so we may need to cut it down
