An excellent example of Martin Evans’ “Holmside” design, a large, powerful engine for 7 ¼ inch gauge. The engine is the work of one of the most prolific engineers I’ve met, a man still building well into his eighth decade. Steamed once to check the valve setting the engine has been on display in his living room since and remains in ex-works condition.

Silver soldered copper boiler, 90psi working pressure, feed by injector, axle pump, steam pump and auxiliary hand pump in saddle tank. Cast iron cylinders with slide valves actuated by Stephenson’s gear with pole reverser in cab. Mechanical lubricator. Screw-down brake acting on all wheels, the engine is fitted with substantial derailing bars front and rear.

The engine was in steam last week for our boiler inspector – it’s had hydraulic and steam tests, if you will excuse the cliché it runs like a watch. Valves are set dead square, it notches up beautifully, even the steam pump runs down to a dead slow tickover – we left it on over lunch so we could watch it steadily pumping while downing bacon butties, there's a short clip of it doing its stuff here.