5 inch gauge 57XX 0-6-0PT

A 5 inch gauge GWR 57XX 0-6-0PT, built to a good standard it appears to have had a handful of test steamings.

Machining work is crisply executed, fit and finish of the valve gear and motion work is very good, the axles run in split bronze bearings. Platework is neatly formed and riveted.

Work required to recommission includes:

• replace non-functioning pressure gauge
• free off seized steam brake cylinder
• replace blanking plug in boiler with blowdown valve
• reduce length of smokebox dart, smokebox door currently will not fully tighten

The boiler has had a twice working pressure hydraulic test with new certification issued. The chassis runs on air, slightly laboured in forwards gear, choppy in reverse. We'd expect it to be better on steam after a good oil round - it's dry at the moment from storage.

A worthwhile project, painted to the same standard as the rest of the build (with a choice at this point of either GWR green or BR black liveries), it would make an excellent example of this handsome design.