Winter Colours at the RPMR Steam Up...
Hello everybody! Today it was off to my 5" gauge concern, the Ryton Pool Miniature Railway, for their November "Member's Steam Up". On day's like this, members can either just visit or, if applicable, bring along their own locomotives to run. They can, equally, also run one of the society's locomotives if they wish. A private BBQ is usually available at these events as well, as it was today! (Well done to the catering staff...a great effort was made in the chilly conditions!). I arrived at the site at around 11am and things were already getting underway. The first locomotive which I spotted was the massive & hugely impressive BR 4-6-2 Britannia No70004 "William Shakespeare". This engine is not often seen at the site due to its immense size (& difficulty of transport!) but, when she does come, she is always a welcome sight! Built from a Modelworks (now defunct) kit, the engine is modelled on one of the biggest express engine's from the BR Standard Range, the Britannia. Of course, the real 70004 "William Shakespeare" no longer exists, having been cut up, the class being represented in preservation by the two sisters: 70000 "Britannia" & 70013 "Oliver Cromwell". The 5" gauge Britannia was steamed but, following a "blower" failure, was quickly returned to the steaming bays. There she was cleaned down before being reloaded for the trip back home. Such a shame, better luck next time! Beautiful achievement!
Up on the "old" steaming bay was one of the RPMR's stalwart performers, GWR 57XX Pannier Tank No5717 "Victoria". As usual the engine was looking fabulous and was being readied for running by her loving owner. The 57XX Pannier tank was, arguably, the best tank engine ever built? Some many argue with this but enginemen (if only GWR enginemen!) loved them. Unlike saddle & side tanks, these engine's were easily accessible in all circumstances. Their Pannier tanks allowed access to the inside motion (gap between running board & tanks) and also to the boiler fittings (in between the tanks atop the barrel). A total of 863 locomotives of this class were built, at various works by various manufacturers. (This total build number makes the class the 2nd most-produced British steam locomotive type). "Victoria" herself, number 5717, was built some years ago and acquired by her owner at a later date... 
Though a scaled down model (5" gauge), "Victoria" includes the same features as her standard gauge sisters. These features include two inside cylinders, blower, whistle, hydrostatic-lubricator, handbrake, injector, drain cocks and, as usual with Western locomotives, a Copper chimney cap! The only things missing from the model, due to the size, are vacuum brakes, steam brakes and a 2nd injector. The engine also includes a handpump and an axle-pump. The backhead fittings on this beautiful model are to scale and she also carries scale headlamps, tail-lamps and sandbox lids. To top this off, she carries scale toolboxes on her running boards! In all, this engine is beautifully detailed with all of her features coming together to produce a fantastic representation of the 57XX class engines. The real 57's ran with a full boiler pressure of 200psi. This is a little smaller on the model which runs at a lower 90psi...still impressive for an engine of this size! The beautiful Pannier is seen on the "old" steaming bay before raising steam...
The owner and his steed cross the double-track bridge at Ryton North, clearly showing the engine's size against a regular 3-man driving car...
I caught up with the engine at the foot of Ryton Bank where the owner offered me a few laps driving his engine. My answer? "Erm, YES PLEASE!". As usual, the engine more than fulfilled my expectations with free steaming and low water consumption all the way! With just me on her drawbar "Victoria" wasn't working hard at all and easily galloped along the track at, kind of a scale speed! (It is surely a testament to the popularity of the Pannier tanks that two of them will be double-heading a fully booked main line special next Saturday!). I had about 4 laps on the engine before handing her back over to her owner, feeling very pleased with myself! The loco is a joy to drive with minimal effort required. (The main effort is keeping her at the track speed of 6mph and not getting too carried away!)...
Of course it wasn't just the steamers who were out & about: Stalwart 0-4-0 Battery electric "Benella", appropriately named after the owners grandchildren(!), was also seen quite alot during the day. Her loving owner can often be seen at the RPMR with his trusty locomotive which, I believe, is a model from the well known manufacturer "Compass House". In the early afternoon, the loco was given a well earned rest, seen here on display in the sun...
The Britannia (mentioned earlier), was not the only "big" engine seen during the day. Mike's rather striking 5" gauge model of the Folwer 7F Class 2-8-0 also made a grand appearance. After helping the owner lift her out of his car, I wandered off before catching up with the engine a little later. A problem had arisen with the 'water-pump' feed but myself & Mike soon got it undone, eventually solving the fault! The beautiful 7F Class engine, numbered 9673, was seen for most of the afternoon, easily handling her "one man" load! The real 7F Class was of course designed for heavy freight traffic and a total of 11 were built. They were best known for working over the rather challenging Mendip Hills on the old Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway and, due to their popularity, two were preserved. SDJR liveried No88 lives on the West Somerset Railway whilst sister, No89 (BR 53809), is based at the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley. The model has rather a sentimental number: 9673 has a special meaning, as I found out today. The locomotive was started in 1973, and finally completed in 1996, hence the number, "9673". That is why the engine carries this number whereas the LMS version of the number would be "13803" (as they were numbered in their livery). The 23-year build time has of course provided a great deal of time to look forward to running the engine...a joy it must then be to finally see it move under its own power!
With the fault repaired, 9673 returned to the track where, rather surprisingly (to me anyway!), I was offered a drive! I don't think I've ever answered a question so quickly! After a quick talk through the controls I was let loose with the monstrous 2-8-0. I must admit, it drove beautifully! It sounded like a well oiled sewing machine and easily held the track-speed with the reverser would 'right up' and the regulator 'just cracked'! What a beautiful machine! It must be the biggest 5" gauge engine that I've ever driven! I've never had to lean so far over a tender before...I was almost lying horizontal! This position is much improved by the very comfortable cushion which spans the tender. (It very much aids comfortable driving!). One thing that surprised me whilst driving the engine was the massive length of the firebox! It it massive! You have to actually, if you can, 'flick' the coal to make it reach the end of the box! However, the size of the firebox makes for fantastic steaming and the engine's pressure never seemed to go below 50psi(!), even with the water pump in operation! For water purposes, the engine carries a double-acting axle pump (between frames) and a sizeable hand-pump (in the tender). All in all this fantastic machine made my day...it really did! Thanks very much Mike for letting me have a go! Loved it! Fellow driver Emma was also privilaged enough to have a go on this beastly model...
One of the later arrivals was this rather nice 0-6-0 "Butch"-type Side Tank. Using six small wheels, placed neatly & closely together, the engine offers alot of power but can also easily negotiate tight curves. As well as this, the locomotive always seems to steam well...I don't think I've ever seen it lose pressure for the wrong reasons! The "Butch" has always been a popular design and examples can be seen at many clubs far & wide. This example has only recently been completed and has now reached the end of her "running in" stage. The owner, I believe, has decided to keep the engine in her current 'brass livery', despite it costing a fortune in "Brasso"! I must admit though, it does look very smart! The engine is seen below and is, as usual, feathering at the valves(!)...
The final steamer seen today was this very nice 0-6-0 Simplex tank. Like the "Butch", the "Simplex" offers a simple, robust & powerful design which, to this day, proves to very popular. Designed on the average 0-6-0 industrial tank engine, substantial power is given by these locomotives. This example was purchased by her owner some years ago and continues to provide sterling service whenever she is brought up to the track. Interestingly, the basic measurements of the Simplex aren't much to different to that of the "Achilles" tank, designed by Reeves. The "Simplex" is seen below, on the "old steaming bay" before being 'blown down'...
A quick view of the simple cab layout on the "Simplex" tank. As you can see, everything is neatly placed and easy to get at, surely any reason for the design's popularity...
"I thought it was supposed to come out of the chimney?"...the "Simplex" is blown down on the "old steaming bay"...
All in all it had been a great day and a large amount of thanks must go to the society for ogganising the event! Thanks also two the owners of the two marvellous locomotives that I drove during the afternoon! More posts coming soon folks, keep reading! Until then, Goodnight...
Hello everybody! Today it was off to my 5" gauge concern, the Ryton Pool Miniature Railway, for their November "Member's Steam Up". On day's like this, members can either just visit or, if applicable, bring along their own locomotives to run. They can, equally, also run one of the society's locomotives if they wish. A private BBQ is usually available at these events as well, as it was today! (Well done to the catering staff...a great effort was made in the chilly conditions!). I arrived at the site at around 11am and things were already getting underway. The first locomotive which I spotted was the massive & hugely impressive BR 4-6-2 Britannia No70004 "William Shakespeare". This engine is not often seen at the site due to its immense size (& difficulty of transport!) but, when she does come, she is always a welcome sight! Built from a Modelworks (now defunct) kit, the engine is modelled on one of the biggest express engine's from the BR Standard Range, the Britannia. Of course, the real 70004 "William Shakespeare" no longer exists, having been cut up, the class being represented in preservation by the two sisters: 70000 "Britannia" & 70013 "Oliver Cromwell". The 5" gauge Britannia was steamed but, following a "blower" failure, was quickly returned to the steaming bays. There she was cleaned down before being reloaded for the trip back home. Such a shame, better luck next time! Beautiful achievement!
Up on the "old" steaming bay was one of the RPMR's stalwart performers, GWR 57XX Pannier Tank No5717 "Victoria". As usual the engine was looking fabulous and was being readied for running by her loving owner. The 57XX Pannier tank was, arguably, the best tank engine ever built? Some many argue with this but enginemen (if only GWR enginemen!) loved them. Unlike saddle & side tanks, these engine's were easily accessible in all circumstances. Their Pannier tanks allowed access to the inside motion (gap between running board & tanks) and also to the boiler fittings (in between the tanks atop the barrel). A total of 863 locomotives of this class were built, at various works by various manufacturers. (This total build number makes the class the 2nd most-produced British steam locomotive type). "Victoria" herself, number 5717, was built some years ago and acquired by her owner at a later date... 
Though a scaled down model (5" gauge), "Victoria" includes the same features as her standard gauge sisters. These features include two inside cylinders, blower, whistle, hydrostatic-lubricator, handbrake, injector, drain cocks and, as usual with Western locomotives, a Copper chimney cap! The only things missing from the model, due to the size, are vacuum brakes, steam brakes and a 2nd injector. The engine also includes a handpump and an axle-pump. The backhead fittings on this beautiful model are to scale and she also carries scale headlamps, tail-lamps and sandbox lids. To top this off, she carries scale toolboxes on her running boards! In all, this engine is beautifully detailed with all of her features coming together to produce a fantastic representation of the 57XX class engines. The real 57's ran with a full boiler pressure of 200psi. This is a little smaller on the model which runs at a lower 90psi...still impressive for an engine of this size! The beautiful Pannier is seen on the "old" steaming bay before raising steam...
The owner and his steed cross the double-track bridge at Ryton North, clearly showing the engine's size against a regular 3-man driving car...
I caught up with the engine at the foot of Ryton Bank where the owner offered me a few laps driving his engine. My answer? "Erm, YES PLEASE!". As usual, the engine more than fulfilled my expectations with free steaming and low water consumption all the way! With just me on her drawbar "Victoria" wasn't working hard at all and easily galloped along the track at, kind of a scale speed! (It is surely a testament to the popularity of the Pannier tanks that two of them will be double-heading a fully booked main line special next Saturday!). I had about 4 laps on the engine before handing her back over to her owner, feeling very pleased with myself! The loco is a joy to drive with minimal effort required. (The main effort is keeping her at the track speed of 6mph and not getting too carried away!)...
Of course it wasn't just the steamers who were out & about: Stalwart 0-4-0 Battery electric "Benella", appropriately named after the owners grandchildren(!), was also seen quite alot during the day. Her loving owner can often be seen at the RPMR with his trusty locomotive which, I believe, is a model from the well known manufacturer "Compass House". In the early afternoon, the loco was given a well earned rest, seen here on display in the sun...
The Britannia (mentioned earlier), was not the only "big" engine seen during the day. Mike's rather striking 5" gauge model of the Folwer 7F Class 2-8-0 also made a grand appearance. After helping the owner lift her out of his car, I wandered off before catching up with the engine a little later. A problem had arisen with the 'water-pump' feed but myself & Mike soon got it undone, eventually solving the fault! The beautiful 7F Class engine, numbered 9673, was seen for most of the afternoon, easily handling her "one man" load! The real 7F Class was of course designed for heavy freight traffic and a total of 11 were built. They were best known for working over the rather challenging Mendip Hills on the old Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway and, due to their popularity, two were preserved. SDJR liveried No88 lives on the West Somerset Railway whilst sister, No89 (BR 53809), is based at the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley. The model has rather a sentimental number: 9673 has a special meaning, as I found out today. The locomotive was started in 1973, and finally completed in 1996, hence the number, "9673". That is why the engine carries this number whereas the LMS version of the number would be "13803" (as they were numbered in their livery). The 23-year build time has of course provided a great deal of time to look forward to running the engine...a joy it must then be to finally see it move under its own power!
With the fault repaired, 9673 returned to the track where, rather surprisingly (to me anyway!), I was offered a drive! I don't think I've ever answered a question so quickly! After a quick talk through the controls I was let loose with the monstrous 2-8-0. I must admit, it drove beautifully! It sounded like a well oiled sewing machine and easily held the track-speed with the reverser would 'right up' and the regulator 'just cracked'! What a beautiful machine! It must be the biggest 5" gauge engine that I've ever driven! I've never had to lean so far over a tender before...I was almost lying horizontal! This position is much improved by the very comfortable cushion which spans the tender. (It very much aids comfortable driving!). One thing that surprised me whilst driving the engine was the massive length of the firebox! It it massive! You have to actually, if you can, 'flick' the coal to make it reach the end of the box! However, the size of the firebox makes for fantastic steaming and the engine's pressure never seemed to go below 50psi(!), even with the water pump in operation! For water purposes, the engine carries a double-acting axle pump (between frames) and a sizeable hand-pump (in the tender). All in all this fantastic machine made my day...it really did! Thanks very much Mike for letting me have a go! Loved it! Fellow driver Emma was also privilaged enough to have a go on this beastly model...
One of the later arrivals was this rather nice 0-6-0 "Butch"-type Side Tank. Using six small wheels, placed neatly & closely together, the engine offers alot of power but can also easily negotiate tight curves. As well as this, the locomotive always seems to steam well...I don't think I've ever seen it lose pressure for the wrong reasons! The "Butch" has always been a popular design and examples can be seen at many clubs far & wide. This example has only recently been completed and has now reached the end of her "running in" stage. The owner, I believe, has decided to keep the engine in her current 'brass livery', despite it costing a fortune in "Brasso"! I must admit though, it does look very smart! The engine is seen below and is, as usual, feathering at the valves(!)...
The final steamer seen today was this very nice 0-6-0 Simplex tank. Like the "Butch", the "Simplex" offers a simple, robust & powerful design which, to this day, proves to very popular. Designed on the average 0-6-0 industrial tank engine, substantial power is given by these locomotives. This example was purchased by her owner some years ago and continues to provide sterling service whenever she is brought up to the track. Interestingly, the basic measurements of the Simplex aren't much to different to that of the "Achilles" tank, designed by Reeves. The "Simplex" is seen below, on the "old steaming bay" before being 'blown down'...
A quick view of the simple cab layout on the "Simplex" tank. As you can see, everything is neatly placed and easy to get at, surely any reason for the design's popularity...
"I thought it was supposed to come out of the chimney?"...the "Simplex" is blown down on the "old steaming bay"...
All in all it had been a great day and a large amount of thanks must go to the society for ogganising the event! Thanks also two the owners of the two marvellous locomotives that I drove during the afternoon! More posts coming soon folks, keep reading! Until then, Goodnight...
No comments:
Post a Comment