5 inch gauge GWR 45XX 2-6-2T

We first sold this one, at the time a brand new, boxed set of kits, back in 2007 - there are pictures in the archive here. It came back to us in 2015, by which time the frames had been assembled and bare cylinder blocks fitted - as shown here.

It arrived back again earlier this year. In the intervening years progress had been made on assembling the chassis, before the project stalled and it was stored away in the shed. Not a particularly dry shed...

It's now, fifteen years after the project started, just about up to a rolling chassis stage with cylinders fitted. Before you get too carried away, intoxicated with the progress and with visions of finishing it off over the next couple of weekends, the next step is to dismantle it completely and clean off all the - albeit light - rusting which covers the unprotected iron and steel parts.

To the best of my recollection we've only ever had one complete, running Winson Prairie in - that was back in 2008. We took that one down the club, I remember being surprised (amazed, actually) at how well it went - there's a listing for that engine and some video in the archive here.

Complete with manufacturer's assembly instructions (we imagine it may include "don't be too hasty" somewhere within the pages) and Kennions drawings for a 5 inch gauge Prairie.