A model engineer from Sandbach is dusting down one of his pride and joys and getting it ready to show it off to thousands of visitors at a major local event this weekend.

Philip Owston, 79, who started off his working life as a fitter and turner in the railway industry in Crewe, made a traction engine to show in Sandbach's recent Transport Festival.

And this weekend, the Pride of Sandbach looks set to be on show again – but this time at the three-day Smallwood Vintage Rally near Sandbach, which attracts visitors from far and wide.

The avid model engineer, who worked at Foden's in Sandbach as well as in the rail industry, spends his time now working on models at his Elworth Road home.

He said: "This weekend should be interesting and I am looking forward to showing the Pride of Sandbach at Smallwood.

"I am very proud of it. It's the only one of its kind and represents some of Sandbach's history, something I am very fond of."

The steam engine features the Fred Hackney road transport name, a company which was based in Sandbach.  

Philip, who is a member of local model engine societies, is a collector of railway memorabilia, a link to his days spent working in the rail industry.

"I started off doing steam repairs on trains and then building new diesels. It was dirty work back in those days but it was a good apprenticeship and I learnt a lot."

But the Pride of Sandbach isn't the only model which Philip owns. He is working on another project – the Duchess of Buccleuch – which he is about six months away from finishing.

Philip has spent hours doing painstaking work on this project, pieces by hand in the workshop at his Sandbach home.

"This will also be a beauty when it's finished," said Philip.