Full-Size Steam

A mighty LC8 road locomotive, weighing in at over 22 tonnes, we don’t often see engines of this calibre on the market. Offered for sale on behalf of the owner, ‘Flame Lily’ today is the result of a high-quality and careful restoration.

Supplied new as an 8NHP Colonial Road Locomotive to The Selukwe Gold Mining Co. in Rhodesia (a former country which is now the equivalent territory to modern day Zimbabwe, Africa), No. 5192 is a compound, three speed engine with a huge presence. Being supplied new to a gold mining company, ‘Flame Lily’ would’ve had an extremely tough working life, hauling large ore wagons. Being a colonial-type engine, it was built to a very robust specification including a much larger firebox to cope with both poor-quality fuel and a requirement for sustained haulage power.

We have a copy of the original build sheet which is titled:

8HP Colonial Road Locomotive. Compound.

No. 5192. Name: The Selukwe Gold Mining Co. 3 speeds.

Following its hard life in Africa, No. 5192 was found and shipped back to the UK in the late 1990s in a completely derelict condition. After much consideration, a suitable name was chosen to reflect this impressive engine’s background and nothing seemed more fitting than ‘Flame Lily’, the flower of Rhodesia. Starting in around 2012, the current owner started the ambitious challenge of returning ‘Flame Lily’ to service. The work was carried out formerly at Dingles Steam Village by an expert team before being concluded at Sam Henwood Engineering in time for the 50^th Great Dorset Steam Fair. It was a well-documented restoration receiving attention from enthusiasts globally.

In terms of the quality of the restoration, nothing has been left to chance. There is no other way of describing it than simply saying that every part of this road locomotive has been subject to restoration work since 2012 meaning it is in as good a condition as could be expected. The paintwork is stunning throughout with those distinctive mudguards and tin roof finishing the look nicely. What sets it apart is the attention to detail when comparing it to the factory photos the owner has sourced of No. 5192 as it left the works in 1903. It is completely authentic to its original specification with the exception being rubber tyres! That is complete with the steam driven water pump mounted on the belly tanks in place of a crankshaft driven mechanical water pump and the very impressive steam brake fitted on the tender offside. The injector is reliable and very effective with the footplate design conveying a sense of this being a workhorse rather than a show piece. With 7ft rear wheels and 4ft 6in front wheels (plus tyres!) this road locomotive is impressive to look at, albeit surprisingly docile to drive.

Boiler testing is, as expected, fully up to scratch with the boiler itself actually plated as a CE marked boiler. A true marvel of modern steam engineering and a credit to all those who returned ‘Flame Lily’ to steam, we are now privileged to be able to offer it for sale giving a unique opportunity for a buyer to continue the story of No. 5192.

SOLD

We always encourage prospective buyers to view vehicles and steam engines in person prior to purchase. This engine is advertised for sale by Berrybrook Steam & Classics on behalf of the owner and seller.

This engine is based at our premises near Exeter. We do ask that, where possible, viewings are booked in advance by giving us a call on 01392 833301. 

Please ask about our flexible part-exchange options. Delivery can be arranged to anywhere in the UK, and beyond, at buyer’s expense.

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The Company (Berrybrook Steam & Classics, trading name of Berrybrook Motors Ltd) offers the above details of this vehicle in good faith but cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vehicle. A buyer should instruct their agents, surveyors or inspectors to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated.