Lionsmeet 2012

The Steaming Bays on the raised circuit at Newport: Philip and David concentrate on the serious business of preparing their models.

'Lionsmeet' is the long-established annual day out where owners of live-steam 'Lion' models can compare notes and engage in a not-too-serious competition to see which model can perform the greatest 'work done' in ten minutes. Each year, 'Lionsmeet' is staged at a different location and, in 2012, the Newport (Gwent) model engineering club were our hosts on Saturday, 11th August 2012. The weather was excellent.

The club are still developing facilities at the site but an amazing amount of work has been done. There is an elevated dual-gauge (3.5"/5") circuit of modest length which was used for the 5" competition. In addition, there is a long ground level circuit which accommodates 5" and 7.25" models.

The Club House at the Newport track.

Alan Bibby, who had organised the event with Newport club, made sure the arrangements ran smoothly but, sadly, this year OLCO Chairman John Brandrick was unable to attend. 'Lionsheart' editor John Hawley was on hand taking photographs and making copious notes. 'Lionsheart', of course, is the excellent magazine on all things 'Lion' related circulated to OLCO members. The morning was spent in preparing locomotives, trial running and earnest discussions. Jon Swindlehurst displayed his 7.25" gauge 'Lion' under construction and Alan Bibby had arranged a display of second-hand superheaters of different patterns. Barrie Larke's meticulous 'Lion' model was much admired.

Barrie Larke with his 'Lion' model.

After Alan's briefing to competitors at 12 noon, the host club provided a splendid buffet lunch in the clubhouse. The competitions started around 1.0 p.m.

This year, there were two 7.25" 'Lion' models in steam and they performed on the ground level track, but without benefit of a dynamometer car. For this part of the event, judges determined the winner.

Harrye preparing his model prior to running on the ground level circuit at Newport.

On the elevated circuit, we had four entrants to the competition, driving three different models. Last year, at Chelmsford, David Neish demonstrated his 'LIONsPOWER' measuring system. Having perfected the design, at Newport David allowed us to use his measuring system as the official dynamometer device. A small measuring unit (somewhat analogous to a spring balance) replaces the drawlink between locomotive and driving truck. The extension of the springs in the measuring unit is measured electronically and a cable extends this information to a small battery-powered processing unit which is carried on the front of the passenger truck and displays work done to the Observer. David has also instrumented the driving truck to display instantaneous speed and total mileage to the Observer.

In recent years, Jan always seems to get press-ganged into being the Observer, which role she is pleased to call the 'Dynamometrix'. It's not as much fun as it sounds and this year Jan sustained a hole burnt in jeans (and a little hole burnt in leg) from a particularly aggressive bout of 'fire-throwing' by Jon's engine. I suppose this is to be expected from a locomotive where the prototype was absorbed into the stock of the London and North Western Railway. The L.N.W.R. (with its small engines and heavy trains) had a reputation for throwing half the fire straight out of the chimney.

Each competitor was allowed an untimed lap to 'warm-through' the engine and determine what load he wished to carry on the single bogie passenger truck coupled behind the driving truck. Members of the Newport club and John Hawley volunteered, as required, to be passengers during the competition (I'm told the technical term is "self-loading ballast").

As last years winner, Jon ran first, followed by David Neish, Andrew Neish (driving David's engine) and, finally, Philip Pritchard from Newport club. Jon took the Dynamometrix plus three passengers but David only took the Dynamometrix plus one because of adhesion problems. Andrew split the difference taking the Dynamometrix plus two. Philip completed his trial lap but experienced difficulties filling the boiler prior to his competition run and was forced to retire because of a defective locomotive.

The performances are summarised below:-

Name	Work done (ft./lb.)	Position
Jon Swindlehurst	55756	1
David Neish	40200	2
Andrew Neish	36675	3
Philip Pritchard	0	4 (retired)

Although there was a slight reservation over Andrew's 'work done' because of a cable connection working loose, it was concluded that (once again) Jon was the undisputed winner. The award was presented to Jon by Philip.

Philip Pritchard presenting the Mike Parrot Memorial Cup to Jon Swindlehurst.

The 7.25" gauge award went to Harrye Frowen for the fanatical fidelity of his model to the prototype.

Alan Bibby announcing the winner of the 7.25" gauge competition and thanking our hosts for a wonderful day.

More pictures at Newport are here.

All my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO) are here.

Peak Rail 1940s Weekend 2012

Re-enactors demonstrate the rigours of life under canvas on the battlefield.

In 2012, Peak Rail held its annual 1940s Weekend on Saturday and Sunday the 4th and 5th of August. I was the steam locomotive driver on the Sunday. The actual railway operation was very similar to most weekends although, to cater for demand, we were operating with a 7-coach train. Because trains now operate between Rowsley and Matlock (Town), operation was 'top and tailed' with 'Austerity' 0-6-0T at the south end of the train hauling the train in an Up direction and a 'Class 31' diesel-electric bringing the train back to Rowsley.

I was very aware that our train was a very poor representation of a wartime service. Whilst the steam locomotive was (just) a 'wartime baby', being built in 1944, she is currently turned out in British Railways black, numbered 68013 and carries the later-period British Railways logo. The British Railways 'Mark 2' passenger stock is wrong and, again, the maroon livery is incorrect, although it is very similar to the L.M.S. style. As for the Class 31, these weren't introduced until 1957 and the livery carried is much later. But, compromises must be made in re-creations and I think I'm in the minority in finding these anachronisms a little jarring. I don't think you'd find many lady engine drivers around in World War 2 (except in Russia) so I can't really complain.

My own concessions to the period were a 'tin helmet' (worn from time-to-time - they are actually steel, of course, and quite heavy) and a Respirator (which I carry around, but decline to wear).

When you work on the train, you miss a lot of the action but I took a number of photographs to give an impression of the scene, which you can find here.

Andrew Briddon's Drewry/Vulcan diesel mechanical WD72229 in 'olive drab' certainly looked the part.

WD72229, a jackshaft-drive diesel mechanical.

A 'Bofors' anti-arcraft gun on a 'LOWMAC' on the turntable made an impressive display.

The 'Bofors' gun wagon-mounted on the turntable.

Paul Harper, Marina Mae and Paul Casper provided ENSA entertainment in a large marquee. The marquee also featured Dove Holes Brass Band, Punch and Judy shows and a licensed bar.

During the day, there were lectures on military topics, demonstrations of firepower and a mock battle. In additions to military encampments and foxholes, there were field kitchens and mobile hospitals, together with displays explaining the role of civilians in wartime. Both military and civil vehicles were on display and, of course, lots of re-enactors in the uniforms of various countries.

The weather was kind and the event was very well attended.