7 1/4 inch gauge Neilson & Co 0-4-0ST

A 7 1/4 inch gauge Neilson & Co 0-4-0ST, more usually seen in 5 inch gauge to David Malcolm's "Gemma" design, published in "Engineering in Miniature" magazine starting in 1983.

This engine came to us as part of a larger collection, having had a somewhat chequered history. It passed from father to son, who consigned it to an outfit (not unknown to us) to overhaul and paint - on its return the engine was placed on a shelf and never run.

Which was probably as well...

Having got it into the workshop here, first thing we noticed was that the saddle tank was held on by the pipework alone, with no other bracketry.

Replacement of a missing gauge glass allowed us to hydraulic test the boiler, our assessment of work required includes:

• Service/replace clack valves
• Service/replace water gauge
• Clean/replace injector
• Replace pressure gauge
• Service/replace safety valve, which lifts early and doesn't shut
• Make and fit boiler cladding
• Make mounting bracketry for saddle tank
• Replace crosshead pump pipework which is of inadequate size

None of it desperately difficult stuff, but the thing is far from a "run it this weekend" engine at the moment.

On the plus side - it's a quirky, attractive design; the engine runs on air in both directions. Whilst work undertaken for its "overhaul" was poorly done, original build was to a good standard.

Rare in this gauge, it's small enough easily to fit in a hatchback and be handled without a great deal of difficulty. It would look ten times better in the correct dark green livery - with the other work done, it would make a very attractive engine.