STIRLING SINGLE

[firebird]

I have a bit of puzzle for you my learned friends.

I have always fancied a Stirling single, I just like the look. Recently a part built one was advertised on eBay so I took the plunge and bought it. A very wet trip up to Doncaster followed to collect my new toy.

A few days later back home in the workshop I had a good look at the new member of my collection, but something didn't look quite right. Virtually the entire loco is cast brass or bronze. The wheels, the cylinders the bogey, even the frames appear to be bronze castings?

A part set of plans from Reeves was included. There should be 18 sheets but sheets 6, 7, and 10 are missing.

I contacted Reeves who replied

Thank you for your email.

It sounds like you have a very early version of the model. Our drawings were drawn in 1992/93 by David Piddington.

You may have drawings from the original design from circa 1970 which were by the late Joe Scarth. We do not have these drawings so I cannot comment as to how many sheets there were.

Thanks

Kate















So........ Do I have a very rare model or a very expensive door stop

Cheers

Rich

[ettingtonliam]

Can I suggest that what you have dates from the early years of the last century, when bronze/brass/gunmetal castings were commonly used for many parts including frames. If this is the case, then the Reeves drawings you have won't be relevant other than as a guide as to what a Stirling Single should look like.

Did that boiler in the background come with it?

[firebird]

Hi

Yes all the parts that can be seen in the boot of my car came with it. Smoke box, chimney, splashers etc. including the boiler

Cheers

Rich

[ianholder]

Just a guess but I think you may have a product of Martin Bros from around the 1920's, they were one of the manufacturers around that time. From what I remember (from reading, not experience) they had quite a good reputation and from your photos it looks to be good quality, regards Ian

[ecb]

Back around 1970, a friend of mine, a capable builder, started a build using the Scarth drawings and Reeves castings. He found the drawings riddled with errors and bought a set of Clarkson drawings to see if they were helpful, which they were IIRC. Reeves did acknowledge the problem which explains the later re-drawing.
I'm fairly sure that the missing drawings were once available

[firebird]

Hi

Does anyone know if there was ever a build series published in a magazine

Cheers

Rich

[shedman]

Not for the Sterling with external cylinders, however there was a series published in ME 1985 which describes the 2-2-2 variant. Although it looks quite different from a visual perspective there are quite a lot of similarities and I am  finding it quite useful in my build. 
From what I can see of yours it looks of good quality and indeed could be quite a rare model, definitely worth pursuing. 
You have probably seen the build on this forum from simplyloco modeleng.proboards.com/thread/13166/stirling-single-10-00-scotsman It is really good and well worth exploring if you have not done so already. 
Graham 

[ettingtonliam]

Aug 17, 2023 13:44:44 GMT firebird said:

Hi

Yes all the parts that can be seen in the boot of my car came with it. Smoke box, chimney, splashers etc. including the boiler

Cheers

Rich

Any chance of a close up shot of the boiler? It looks like it might have been intended for spirit firing, which would tally with the idea that it dates from the early 20thC.

What gauge is it?

[firebird]

Hi

It's 5'' gauge. I got the boiler bits with the loco but I'm not sure the two belong together











The boiler tube won't fit into the smoke box

Cheers

Rich