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A beautifully built 3 1/2 inch gauge LMS 3F, one of the nicest-running examples we've ever had. It's come to us from the daughter of the late owner, who in turn had inherited it from his uncle, William Manley. Getting on for 75 years old, it remains in excellent mechanical condition - and has a nice back story.

W.J "Bill" Manley was a regular contributor to "Model Engineer" magazine and one-time secretary of Exeter Society of Model Engineers. He built a number of locomotives, from 2 1/2 to 7 1/4 inch gauge, starting with LBSC's "Fayette" - constructed during the war - followed immediately after by "Molly".

I remember avidly reading his "Tich Times Two" article in 1975 - then 14 years old, I had recently started building a 3 1/2 inch gauge Tich of my own. Over the years he'd also written articles on his "Anne of Holland", "Maid of Kent", a doubled "Rainhill", a Heinrici hot air engine and an open crank gas engine.

All his models bar the gas engine remained in his possession until he died in 1989, the Molly remaining in the family for the next 35 years, unsteamed.

It arrived here recently with seized pumps, balls stuck in the clack valves and the steam brake and blower valve spindles sheared off.

Stripped and serviced in the workshop, new balls were fitted in the clacks, valves were unseized with new squares machined on their spindles and handles refitted. Normally we'd simply replace a damaged valve - in this case, given its age, we wanted to preserve as much of the original engine as possible.

The boiler was given a hydraulic test - it's in good condition, holding pressure well with no signs of distortion - and the chassis was run on air preparatory to a steam test.

On test the engine steamed freely and ran beautifully, hand and mechanical pumps working reliably. The injector proved more for show than go, however it's the handmade original so, rather than replace it - and with the pumps providing two independent means of feeding the boiler - we elected to leave it in place.

The safety valves are works of art - very pretty and highly effective. The steam brakes operate but, not uncommon in this gauge, not to be relied on to stop you in an emergency!

Machining is very crisply done throughout, fit and finish of valve gear and motionwork is excellent and remains in first class condition, shown in the pictures opposite. We suspect that, as with many builders, the man spent more time in his workshop than out on the track, with minimal wear to show for the last 75 years.

Paintwork remains presentable - slightly darker on the barrel which, typical of smaller LBSC designs, is not clad. We would leave it exactly as is, it just needs a gentle rub over with an oily rag at the end of a day's running!

Includes free UK shipping.