Sunday 5 June 2011

Fish, Chips, Coal & Steam...

Hi all. Well, after a visit to GEC on the way, I made it to Ryton Pools (and Coventry Model Engineering) by 4pm. The evening "Fish n Chip" 'Steam Up' was already in full swing and many locomotives were out & about on the track. This event was a great success in 2010 and, therefore, this success made it a definate for 2011. Miss Emma Dunning (of CMES) organised the event and, well done to her. A fabulous evening out. The weather was kind and the turnout good. The only improvement would have been yet more steam loco's! So, lets start showing some photo's of the loco's as it were. Below, Dave Hall's 'Planet' 0-4-0 electric makes its way around the track, driven by Ruby...
Next, the club steamer; 0-4-0 Sweet Pea "John H Owen"; crosses the bridge in the return direction...
3rd is Reg's 0-6-0 3.5" 'Rob Roy' side tank. This engine, enjoying its first ever run (apart from steam test) I believe, seemed to go OK. Though small, she is a powerful little machine and was flying around the track for a good hour. Reg seemed pleased with the engines performance, though commented that some improvements may be required to the mechanical pump...
Fourth: Guy & Mark's Metropolitan Train. The electric loco is a replica of the "Sarah Siddons" type, named "Michael Farraday". She carries what seems to be a Luggage Van, three MR Coaches and a Brake Van. The rake is very impressive and has taken many hours of work to complete. It is a joy to see a rake of proper coaches going around the circuit...
On the bays, the Santa Fe 5" loco (which I believe to be a GP-38) stands quiet after a good run. In the background is a yellow electric, a Modelworks 'Bagnall' and a Modelworks 'Pug'...
Below, Dave Strapps casually drives his 'Simplex' 0-6-0T. This locomotive was beautifully built and is the current title-holder as the most 'Efficient Locomotive' in CMES. (Or so the 2010 competition proved!)...
Below, I'm driving "John H Owen"; feathering at the valves; with Mum and Steve on board. The loco has just topped Ryton Bank and is now descending towards the bridge...
Jim's fabulous 'Butch' 0-6-0 was also out and about today. This stalwart loco always runs like a 'well oiled sewing machine' and is beautifully built. Wearing shining Maroon, she was spotted on the track for a good few hours before the chips arrived!...
Reg, still out & about with the 'Rob Roy'...
Bob Webb's yellow electric loco stands quietly on the bays. I believe there was some kind of problem that as yet remains unsolved...
Dave & his wife aboard their 'Planet' electric...
Kevin's 'Bagnall' was also on the track during the afternoon. However, Kevin also brought along one of his projects, for display. This lovely little 5" gauge L & Y 'Pug' stood on the bays for most of the evening. The 'Pug' was a powerful shunting engine, designed by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway. This particular example is a Modelworks kit that is speedily nearing completion. I personally really like the slidebar covers!...
Another loco!; Peter's 0-4-0 Compass House electric. This stalwart loco is often spotted out & about at CMES. Today, she did some running, whilst enjoying some quiet periods on the steaming bays. The locomotive stands on Bay 1...
After much running, at 6:30pm, the 'Fish n Chips' arrived. They were lovely. Well done to Emma for organising such a fantastic event. On top of this, thanks to everyone who attended and made it such an enjoyable and social event. It really was lovely. I look forward to another repeat of this event in 2012! After helping put away the Pea, I left CMES at just gone 8pm. I shall next be at CMES next Saturday to help with the two boiler tests required on 0-6-0T "Achilles". Tomorrow?: I'm off to Shackerstone to work the Buffet Car. Thanks for reading folks. Evening all...

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