5 inch gauge Hawthorne Leslie 0-6-0ST

We're quite tempted to start an "eye-popping liveries" competition - if you think that you can beat this one, let us know!

A 5 inch gauge Hawthorne Leslie 0-6-0PT, this one has come to us from a highly experienced, award-winning model engineer with seven locomotives to his credit, including a Horwich "Crab" which took a Silver Medal at the Model Engineer Exhibition.

The engine has an interesting history (including a good story about how it ended up the colour you see here).

Started in 1995 as a J39 to Martin Evans' "Stratford" design, the boiler was built at that time. With chassis completed the project then languished until restarted some years later, but this time as an 0-6-0 tank locomotive, based on a Hawthorne Leslie.

Built to a good standard, the engine had been stored, unused since 2013 until earlier this year when it was recommissioned by the builder and tested at his club.

It runs very well in both directions, the injectors - piped to take water from a driving truck - pick up cleanly .

There is some wear evident in the motion, the drain cocks pass a little when running, but otherwise it feels like a particularly well-sorted engine.

Complete with purpose built transport box.

Oh yes, and the colour...

On completion the engine was sent to be professionally painted by a friend of the builder, along with a bookmarked volume showing a picture of the original engine.

The painter picked an engine pictured on the left hand page - the one he should have copied was on the right...