3 1/2 inch gauge "County of Wilts" 4-6-0

A 3 1/2 inch gauge GWR County 4-6-0, No.1003 "County of Wilts", the original locomotives designed by Hawksworth and built between 1945 and 1947. None survived into preservation, although there is a well-advanced project based at Didcot Railway Centre to recreate No.1014 "County of Glamorgan".

An older model, it's come to us as part of a collection of 3 1/2 and 5 inch gauge locomotives recently in part exchange for a fine 7 1/4 inch gauge GWR 14XX. Built by the owner's late father, the engine was last run many years ago.

Loosely asssembled, although largely complete as far as we can see except for a missing lubricator, injector and associated pipework. The blowdown valve is sheared off, the clacks screw direct into the boiler without bushes - not uncommon back in the day, not considered good practice now.