Accucraft UK announce 1:20.3 scale Cavan & Leitrim locomotives

The Cavan & Leitrim Railway was one of many rural Irish 3' gauge railways, in this case serving the counties of Leitrim and Cavan in northwest Ireland. Unusually for Ireland, this line survived on coal traffic, from the mine at Arigna, which ensured that it was the last narrow gauge line to close there.

The railway opened in 1887, the section from Belturbet in County Cavan to Dromod in County Leitrim as a light railway, and as a tramway from Ballinamore to Arigna. Ballinamore was the hub of the line, with the locomotive depot and works. At Belturbet the line connected with the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) broad-gauge branch to Ballyhaise on the Clones to Cavan line, and at Dromod connected to the Midland Great Western Railway mainline from Dublin to Sligo. The line was extended to Arigna in 1920.

At the start, both lines were operated by eight Robert Stephenson and Company 4-4-0T locomotives of two distinct variations, four 'mainline' and four fully skirted 'tramway' types. In later years locomotives from other closed narrow gauge lines supplemented or replaced the C&L fleet.

The decisions have been taken to model the two surviving locomotives in their final form, No. 2 Kathleen in 'tram' condition with the extended cab roof and tram style cab (albeit without full skirts) and No. 3 Lady Edith in 'mainline' form without these additions

In due course all eight locomotives were re-boilered, increasing their working weight from 25 to 27 long tons and numerous rebuilds saw components exchanged between individuals.

At the 1925 amalgamation, the C&LR became part of the Great Southern Railway and the eight locomotives lost their original green livery for GSR grey and later black.  

Two examples survived the be preserved, Kathleen in the Ulster Folk & Transport museum and Lady Edith at the New Jersey Museum of Transportation in the USA, although there are moves to repatriate her.

Accucraft would like to thank the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum and the Cavan & Leitrim Railway Preservation Society at Dromod for their help in gathering data for these models.

The retail profit* from any example purchased in Northern Ireland will go to the former, the retail profit* from any sold in Eire will go to the latter and a percentage of all UK sales will be split between the two organisations.
(*When purchased directly from Accucraft UK Ltd)

Once produced, David Fletcher's superb drawings will be available to purchase from either organisation.

The model is internally gas fired and has piston valve cylinders. The boiler is fitted with a water gauge and a water top-up valve is supplied, the lubricator needs to be emptied with a syringe, there is no room for a blowdown valve, the gas filler valve is under one of the water tank filler, the gas control valve is disguised as the brake standard and the cab controls are accessible via the hinged cab roof.

The locomotive is available in either fully-lined Cavan & Leitrim green, un-numbered GSR grey or plain satin black. Nameplates are provided for both Kathleen and Lady Edith but these are not fitted, allowing customers to choose another member of the class if they so wish.

The target UK RRP is £1950.00.

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:20.3 Scale
• Gauge: 45mm Gauge
• Minimum Radius: 1M (39 in.)
• Power: Live Steam
• Length: 373mm
• Width: 104mm
• Height: 154mm
• Boiler: Centre Flue
• Working Pressure: 60psi
• Weight: TBC
• Reversing Gear: Piston type, reverse by lever in the cab
• Fuel: Butane Gas
• Boiler Fittings: Safety valve, pressure gauge, water gauge
• Cab Controls: Steam regulator, gas regulator, reverse lever, lubricator.

Versions available subject to production batch:
S20-10A – CAVAN & LEITRIM 4-4-0T No. 2 Kathleen - lined green
S20-10B – CAVAN & LEITRIM 4-4-0T No. 2L Kathleen - GSR grey
S20-10C – CAVAN & LEITRIM 4-4-0T No. 2L Kathleen - plain black
S20-10D – CAVAN & LEITRIM 4-4-0T No. 3 Lady Edith - lined green
S20-10E – CAVAN & LEITRIM 4-4-0T No. 3L Lady Edith - GSR grey
S20-10F – CAVAN & LEITRIM 4-4-0T No. 3L Lady Edith - plain black

More details on the Accucraft UK website.

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