7 1/4 inch gauge "Holmside" 0-6-0T

As scruffy as they come, a "barn find" 7 1/4 inch gauge 0-6-0T to Martin Evans' "Holmside" design.

This one has come to us from the family of the late builder, a professional aeronautical engineer who spent his spare time in the workshop building first a 5 inch gauge "Sweet Pea" (which he taught both his sons to drive, one of whom went on to build a locomotive of his own) followed by this engine, finished but never steamed.

The welded steel boiler has expanded copper tubes, but came to us with no documentation at all. At twice working pressure on hydraulic test the tubes leaked copiously - they need re-expanding - however the boiler itself appeared structurally sound.