TV star steam locomotive in charity auction

Last year, Chris Cooper lost his left eye and now wears a prosthetic. The charity MySight York supported him on this difficult journey and he is now fundraising to support the work they do in York for people with all kinds of sight impairment and loss.

In a generous gesture, Roundhouse Engineering has given Chris, one of the two 'Silver Lady' models that were used in the Channel 4 programme Biggest Little Railway in the World (2018) to auction for the fundraising effort. 

Chris says, "To say I was taken by surprise would be an understatement.  I can’t express how grateful I am to Andy and the team at Roundhouse for their support."

He will be inviting bids by email during the three weeks leading up to the Llangollen Garden Railway festival on Saturday 7th June, starting Monday 19th May.

Every few days Chris will post on Facebook the latest high bid, up to the night of Wednesday 4th June.  The cut-off for bids will be midnight of Thursday 5th June, with the winner being contacted on Friday 6th June.

The winner can pay the funds directly to his Just Giving page, or direct to the charity. He will be attending Llangollen Show and can deliver the loco to its new owner if they are going, otherwise other arrangements can be made.

Chris has steamed the loco and it still runs very well, as you’d expect, although after 71 miles across Scotland, it is a little mechanically worn.  Let’s say ‘well run in’!

The model is in ex-programme condition, from when it completed its epic journey, with all the bumps and scratches of its many derailments and even one submerging in a canal.

Roundhouse have produced a certificate of authenticity, a limited edition box sticker, boiler and gas tank certification and information on the TV programme story and what it took to keep the loco going all that way. It has 2.4GHz radio control.

Email bids to [email protected] from Monday 19th May.