5 inch gauge GWR 4-6-0 No.7802 "Bradley Manor"

A 5 inch gauge GWR 4-6-0 No.7082 "Bradley Manor" to the Martin Evans design.

This one has come to us from a man who has painted many model locomotives - both his own and those of friends in the GL5 association - as well as full-sized engines at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The paintwork on this engine, finely done in the first place, remains in excellent condition, the dark green retaining a lustrous finish.

The commercially made boiler by John Ellis has had hydraulic and steam tests, with new certification issued.

On test test the engine proved free-steaming and ran well in either direction, with slight wear apparent in the motionwork. There are extension controls for reverser and regulator, avoiding the need to lean over the tender when driving.

No.7802 was built in 1938, and ran until withdrawal in 1965. It was sent to Barry scrap yard the following year, before bought for preservation in 1979. Originally intended to provide spare parts for another locomotive undergoing restoration, in 1983 the decision was made to restore No.7802 to steam - the restoration was complete by 1993, since which time "Bradley Manor" has lived at the Severn Valley Railway.