7 1/4 inch gauge GWR Bulldog 4-4-0 "Madras"

A 7 1/4 inch gauge GWR "Bulldog", it's come to us from the son of one of the best known builders of Great Western engines in this gauge - a designer and author of repute, his son has continued building locomotives and rolling stock in both this and 5 inch gauge.

A supremely elegant design by William Dean, a class of 136 engines were built between 1899 and 1911, with a further 20 locomotives rebuilt from earlier "Duke" class engine.

The boiler has had recent hydraulic and steam tests with new certification issued, both injectors work well.

The regulator leaks on hydraulic test when cold, taking up considerably under steam. The engine runs on air with crisp exhaust beats, it steams well, running slightly better in reverse than forwards - this could be improved by careful attention to eccentric and valve settings.