Hello everyone. Today, under the lovely blue skies, Coventry Model Engineering held a Visitors Day at their Ryton pool track. An invitation had been given to the GEC Miniature Railway of Binley, to come along and run their locomotives on our 2000ft-long 3.5"/5" gauge route. I got to the track at around 11:30am. Already there were a few members of the GEC present, as well as a couple of loco's too. In the end, four GEC engines turned up; two steam, two electric. We had expected more engines but many members were either on holiday or going through loco overhaul's. Nevertheless, a nice, pleasant little turn-out. Due to the low number of loco's present from GEC, one or two CMES engines appeared on the RPMR metals. Reg (of CMES) brought along his latest locomotive, a lovely red 'Sweet Violet'; the 3.5" gauge Sweet Pea...
The Violet was out and about later in the afternoon, still undergoing trial runs. However, from what I could see, all seemed well. Lovely little engine. To compliment Reg's engine, the society's own Sweet Pea "John H Owen" was also pressed into service on 'Driver Training' duties. It is always interesting to see the two types running alongside eachother; shame we haven't got 7.25" to run a William too! Now to our GEC visitors. Stewart brought along his recently completed 0-4-2 Great Western 14xx 'Autotank', in 5" gauge. This engine is also undergoing running-in trials. Today, she seemed to be running just fine. Nice speedy little thing...
The other steam visitor was the Compound 4-4-0, built from Works Drawings I believe. This lovely example, in LMS Crimson, failed early in the afternoon. However, after a swift repair, she was back in action. Under repair...
With the repairs carried out, and the glasses showing a strong level, the engine waits for a resteam on the bays...
One of the electric's which turned up was "Percival"; a Ride-on-Railways 0-4-0 'Trojan', under the steam outline body. This loco was a consistent performer throughout the day and enjoyed countless laps of the track... 
The fourth and final GEC visitor was the club's own 0-6-0 Class 08 electric. This did a few laps before failing with battery problems. However, its the taking part that counts of course!...
CMES' own 'Pea' was going very well all day. Mind you, she is a top-class machine!...
Repairs underway...
The Great Western 14xx in the Arrivals Platform at 'Ryton Halt'. I love this livery...
The lovely little Western at Ryton Halt. She is fed by injector from the driving truck tank, and via bypass pump from the crosshead motion; with water being taken from the side tanks for the latter...
Preparations for resteam underway...
As well as the above mentioned loco's, CMES' two electrics; the 37 and the Slate Loco; also had brief stints on the track. I myself took the 'Slate Loco' 0-4-0 for a run, capturing the journey on film...All in all, a nice little day at Ryton. I hope the GEC enjoyed themselves! I'll be back up at their track next Saturday (Aug 6th) for the 5" gauge Public Running, with "Achilles" in tow. Evening all. Sam...
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