7 1/4 inch gauge GWR 41XX 4-4-0 "Ladysmith"

A 7 1/4 inch gauge GWR 41XX 4-4-0 "Ladysmith", one of Dean's "Atbara" class of locomotives built from 1900.

Derived from the similarly double-framed "Badminton" class, they shared many components with the "City" - if it looks familiar, you're probably remembering the picture on the Airfix box for the "City of Truro" you built at school.

Built by the late, legendary Great Western supremo Keith Wilson in 2004, the engine has been in regular club use. Mechanically it runs well, the superheated boiler steams freely.

Unusually, the locomotive is fitted with vacuum brakes, with a pair of cylinders under the footplate - the tender is braked too. I think this setup was a bit of a Wilson speciality, I've driven one of his 10 1/4 inch gauge 47XX 2-8-0s which was thus-braked, it worked beautifully - sensitive, and would stop the engine on a sixpence.

On this engine there is a scale-looking vacuum ejector/brake valve on the backhead with gauge, which all looks the part, however we've found it rather more show than go. Or stop, as it were. Either way, everything is there for vacuum braking, however it's not something we'd want to rely on in an emergency.

Finished in Great Western Brunswick green (what else). The paintwork wouldn't embarrass you at the club, there is, however, scope for cosmetic improvement - the mechanical condition and performance of the engine would make it worthwhile.

Complete with a padded seat for riding on the tender, along with a pair of footrests.