Working on the Black 5

10th June 2026

Huge congratulations to OUR engineers. The last nut tightened, the last pipe bent into place, the last joint silver soldered.

The Black 5 (COVENANTER) has finally been completed. 🎉 Well done to everyone who has contributed to this major task. We have had backward steps along the way but perseverance has finally paid off. 👏

We will now need to find the best time to transfer the loco to the park and then we can start the running-in process over the next few months. We will need to plan this and each step recorded as we proceed. Hopefully this will all be successful and Covenanter will be ready to pull passengers next year, perhaps earlier if all goes to plan. 🤞

Thank you to all involved with this massive project. What an amazing achievement

From the Wee Train 🚂

26th January 2026

Today we took a massive step forward with the work on the Black 5. This morning we commenced the first steam test on the locomotive. She raised steam and performed well for this first time. All major components worked as they should with only one or two niggles to be sorted out once she was cold. All major valves and piping handled the steam pressure with no visible leaks.

A proud day for Mike and Tom who have led this project through the many ups and downs of getting ready for this test. We will now complete the minor work required and strip the cladding off the engine ready for painting.

A massive thank you 🙏 to all involved: Mike, Tom Gordon and Eric and many others within the club.

See pictures below.

12th Aug 2024

Work continues on our magnificent 7 1/4″ guage Black 5 with a new ash pan being made to fit our frames. 

The pictures below were taken today, before the running boards are placed into position and the boiler is re-installed in the next week or two.

We were checking how many oiling points are on the new loco.
Have a guess ?  
At present after checking the loco over several times 46 oiling points have been identified. 18 on the left side of loco outside frames, 16 on the right side out with the frames, 8 on the running boards and 4 between the frames in very awkward positions. We’ll probably will have to make a specific oil can for these locations.
Good grief ! 

A huge thank you 🙏 to our club engineers who are working on this locomotive.

24th Jan 2024

Work 👷‍♂️is now continuing in the workshop 💪on a large winter servicing and repairs programme, including major work to both Eva and Abberton.

Work has also been continuing on our new large 71/4″ locomotive the Black 5 (Highlander ).
On Thursday, for the first time, we were able to run the main drive wheels on compressed air. Several small leaks were found and sealed, then the loco ran on air in both forward and reverse motion as per the videos attached.