3 1/2 inch gauge GWR 45XX 2-6-2T

A finely made example of Great Western 2-6-2T to Martin Evans' popular "Firefly" design, a handsome engine from pretty much any angle you look at it.

Designed by Churchward, the small Prairies were a successful class built over a period of twenty years. Number 4588 was outshopped in 1924 and ran right up until 1962 when it was withdrawn and sent to Woodhams scrap yard at Barry. Bought in 1971 by the Dart Valley Railway, it was restored and ran until ten years ago, since when it has been laid up awaiting work.

This one has come to us from an experienced steam man - employed full time in the heritage standard gauge railway industry, he spends his spare time modelling steam in both rail and road forms. To spare his blushes I won't say I remember him in short trousers, but it's fair to say thay he and his father were some of the very earliest visitors to Station Road Steam when it started in a tin shed in Woolhampton in the 1990s.

The engine has been in our workshop for servicing, hydraulic and steam test, followed by an hour's running. It's got a super crisp exhaust with even beats, notches up in both directions and runs very quietly - there's some video of it running in the workshop this afternoon here.