3 1/2 inch gauge Southern Schools 4-4-0

A 3 1/2 inch gauge Southern Railway "Schools" 4-4-0, an older engine, well-built in the first place, but needing some work to recommission for steam.

Built with three cylinders as per the prototype - when introduced the Schools were the most powerful 4-4-0s running in the country.

The superheated boiler has one flue blanked off but otherwise looks in good condition. We did a preliminary twice working pressure hydraulic test - it's structurally sound, with nothing noted other than a minute bead of water at the end of two superheater flues. Not enough to drip even after ten minutes at 160psi, they would be dry under steam.

The regulator is currently stuck fast in the closed position - it will need either attention with warm descaler in the boiler, or stripping to service.