I & G Steam manufactured 7/8ths products
On release for the beginning of second quarter 2008 is the De Winton vertical boilered quarry locomotive loosely based on "George Henry" These locomotives, whilst not always successful in their prototype role as gallery engines in the heady days of the height of the slate industry, have found their way into the hearts of many narrow gauge modellers and enthusiasts.
I & G Steam freely admit that there are several live steam models in a variety of scales available on the market which generally have oscillating ("wobbly") cylinders. I & G Steam wanted to produce a model which has fixed cylinders with some form of "proper" valve gear and driven via a crankaxle, suitable for use on garden scenic lines while still remaining a viable commercial proposition to build in small batches or to order and priced within the range of many enthusiasts.
Our initial design specificaion has been met by moving into 7/8" /ft. This is now completed in prototype form and production parts are being manufactured.
To run with this locomotive, I & G Steam have in production, a Dinworic slate wagon which to all intents and purposes is built in the same way as the real prototypes were built. Our measurements were taken from a Dinorwic wagon built at Gilfach Ddu which had actually seen service in the commercial quarrying days at Dinorwic.
I & G Steam are indebted to the Keeper, Dr Dafydd Roberts and his staff at the National Slate Museum (Amgueddfa Llechi Cymru) at Llanberis for all of their help, support, advice, encouragement and access to the artefacts in the collection to enable us to pursue these projects with confidence.
Further rolling stock designs are being researched and considered for prototyping.
We have further locomotive designs based on tiny but interesting prototypes already working their way through our drawing office facilities and the research process, along with rolling stock applicable to the llocomotives' working life.