5 inch gauge GWR 45XX 2-6-2T

A 5 inch gauge GWR 45XX "Small Prairie", the original locomotives built to Churchward's design from 1906 - of handsome proportions, they were a successful class, three surviving in preservation.

This engine is new and unsteamed, built from a ModelWorks kit and, as always with these models, there are "optimisation opportunities" remaining...

The boiler has had recent hydraulic test with new certification issued - we would warranty as sound.

The chassis runs on air in fairly desultory fashion in either direction, although would be better on steam.

The drain cock linkage doesn't work; the main steam pipe header leaks copiously - the joint needs remaking - and the blower appears to be blocked, requiring investigation.

For some reason very much rarer than the 14XX 0-4-2T by the same company, we've had a couple of the Prairies in before, including one which we sold at the end of last year, shown running here.