5 inch gauge GWR 45XX No.4589

We last sold this one back in 2003 to a man who came to take several fine engines from us over the years. We've recently bought a collection of eight of them - including this 45XX - from his family, they retained a fine Great Western "Manor", the first engine he ever bought from us.

Parked at the back of a busy workshop which, along with maintaining his steam locomotives, was also responsible for the upkeep of several vintage military vehicles - both two and four-wheeled - as well as a large railway layout in the attic above, the Prairie became something of a stalled restoration project.

The boiler has had hydraulic test with new certification issued; the chassis runs on air with some leakage past the valves, cab and tanks have been rubbed down preparatory to refinishing.

Well built in the first place, a better than average example of this popular design - it would be well worth the work required to strip and repaint with the potential to produce a fine-looking locomotive.