A typical steam locomotive from the driver's viewpoint showing the various valves and other controls. This boiler is known as a marine type because they are common on ships. The whole of the firebox can be removed for cleaning.

The loco is a 'Sweet Pea' class and it has a saddle tank over the top of the boiler for its water supply.

Raking the fire in a standard locomotive fire box to remove 'clinker', a residue from burning anthracite coal which forms on the fire grate and blocks the essential air flow through the fire from below. The loco is 'Captain Hook'. Photo © David Butterell.

This is the famous A4 'Sir Nigel Gresley' being driven by one of our members who also drives other full size steam locomotives, having first learned to drive miniature steam locos at Abbeydale as a junior member.

These are the incredible controls on the backhead of a large American steam locomotive for comparison!