It was recovered near Turin, in the hamlet of Alba, in 1983. The machine was in very poor condition as it had been converted into a portable engine.

Stripped of all parts involved in autonomous locomotion, it could only be towed by other vehicles.

Repairs were made possible by researching and retrieving the original construction drawings of all the missing components of the machine from British historical archives.

It took a couple of years to restore it to working order and it made its first appearance at an official event in April 1985 in Reggio Emilia (Italy).

A key feature of this type of machine was its ability to serve as both a portable engine and a tractor (with all the limitations that existed in those days) on the road and in the field.

This machine was manufactured in England and was primarily exported to the imperial colonies, hence the nickname ‘colonial’.

Repairs involved the tubes, furnace, tie rods, ash pan, chimney, piston rings, cylinder bore, slide valve, bushings, timing, and parts of the chassis including the water tank and the coal boxes, which were completely rebuilt.