We are pleased to present the first images for the OO scale Midland Class 1F engineering sample. These highly detailed models feature open and closed cab variants, Belpaire boiler version, preserved model available, detailed backheads, and option of vacuum ejector fitting.
The Midland 1F engines had very long lives, being built from 1878 and and still serving until 1966, almost the end of steam!
Originally intended for shunting work these engines were quickly found to be ideal as general purpose branch line engines and could be found working passenger and goods trains on branches all over the former Midland Railway network. Gloucester based engines were well-known for the 'Dursley Donkey' serving Dursley and the Lister factory. One of these engines is preserved.
Built as the Midland Railway 1377 Class from 1878 to the design of Samuel W. Johnson the 1F was based on an even earlier 1874 design. 185 were built, 165 by the MR works at Derby and the last 20 by the Vulcan Foundry. Most were built without a rear to the cab and only a short cab roof, hence their nickname "half-cabs", though about 40 were built with full cabs. Originally they were built with round top fireboxes many later received flat-topped Belpaire fireboxes.
Withdrawals began in 1928, the older engines being replaced by newly built batches of the later and much more versative 3F 0-6-0 tanks, the LMS group standard type. 87 locomotives survived to be were passed into British Railways ownership in 1948.
It might be supposed that an elderly and already shrinking class would have little life under natioanlisation, but because of a 100 year contract signed by the Midland Railway in 1866 to provide shunting engines for the Staveley Ironworks five of the class were retained for this contract until 1966.
One of the Staveley engines, Midland railway 1418, renumbered 1708 by the MR in 1907, and 41708 by British Railways survived to be preserved. The locomotive has served several heritage railways, often during their formative years when the small shunting engine was capable of handling the trains, but then being displaced as track and train lengths grew.
Currently the locomotive is based at the Barrow Hill Engine Shed, we believe awaiting a boiler overhaul to provide this veteran with another 10 years life.