5 inch gauge Southern Schools 4-4-0

A 5 inch gauge Southern Railway "Schools" 4-4-0, the most powerful locomotive of this wheel configuration that ran on railways in this country. Designed by Richard Maunsell, a class of 40 locomotives was built between 1930 and 1935, one of his most successful designs. Three of the class - "Repton", "Stowe" and "Cheltenham" survive in preservation.

An older model, this one has recently come to us in part exchange for a small engine. Built as a two cylinder locomotive, it's part way through a major restoration, with much good work already done, the chassis running on air, the tender painted and lined.

"Possibly repairable" is perhaps the kindest thing that's been said about this boiler in the last ten years (and it certainly wasn't said by us!).

On hydraulic test it stayed roughly the same shape and nothing flew apart, however, there were multiple leaks at the tube ends, stays and barrel to throatplate joint, despite the application of what looks like a couple of pounds of soft solder in the past. Useful as a pattern for a replacement, but not much else.