Hello again all. Today, as with many of my outings, was another one of those kind invitations, once again offered to me by my friend Dave (thanks again!). Dave and his family are regulars at the Echills Wood Railway at Kingsbury and, with today being the Grand Opening of their new 'Far Leys' extension as well as their 2010 Miniature Steam Vehicle Rally, I was invited along to join in the fun. I had been told in the week that Dave would be taking his 7.25" gauge Class 14xx No1401 which I had previously driven at the Severn Valley Railway (click here to see post). With Dave's invitation gratefully accepted, I made it to his house this morning on time at 8:45am. Once in the car, with the loco, we headed for Kingsbury. On arrival, I was given a cup of tea (thank you!) and a visitor badge (No1). We unloaded the loco onto the ramp, which includes a rather fantastic lifting table (very handy), before pushing her and her Brake Van down onto the turntable at the roundhouse. Once on a steaming bay, we left the loco for a while. I then changed into my overalls before we took a walk through the lovely surroundings of the Water Park to see the Traction Engine's, based at Far Leys. Even from the pathways, the track looked huge, totalling about 1.5 miles in length. Finally, we reached Far Leys where an impressive display of agricultural, road and showman's engines awaited. After admiring the collection of engines, most of which were already in steam, we caught a test-train at the station, back to the base at Harvesters. (What a run!)... 
Once back at Harvesters, Dave dissapeared off to somewhere for a while and I was left to have a look around. I must admit, there were some very impressive locomotives and rolling stock as well as great facilities for both the operation and maintainence of locomotives. (I got quite jealous looking at some of the kit!). Now to 1401, built from a Modelworks (Winson) kit, the 0-4-2 locomotive has received many modifications from the "Dart" Design, making it, in some respects, a "hybrid" among 7.25" Class 14's! With a spacious cab and an attractive all-over BR Black livery, the diminuitive tank is visually pleasing. Does she run as well as she looks? "Yes" she does! The locomotive includes two injectors (fed from tank in Brake Van), a handpump (fed from loco tanks) and an axle-pump/bypass (fed from loco tanks). She also includes a screw reverser, whistle, vacuum brake gear and ejector, handbrake, drain cocks (operated from cab), a spacious coal bunker and a hydrostatic lubricator. All in all, it is a very "life like" engine and, with a large firebox, steams beautifully; particularly with a good few lumps of coal around the back-end. One of my favourite parts is the regulator which, unlike many scale locomotives, is a "nice size" so that, when you're shutting off sharply, you don't feel like the regulator is going to come off in your hand! This particular regulator is ample size in my opinion. Above and below, you can see 1401 in all her glory as she waits on the steaming bay for the evening run!...
The Grand Opening at Far Leys, with special guest Pete Waterman doing the honours, was to be performed at 2:30pm. Before that, two "VIP Trains" would depart Harvesters (the base), carrying invited guests. The first train was double-headed by two GWR 4-6-0s; a County and a Hall, pulling GWR liveried stock to boot. The second "VIP Train" was hauled by two narrow gauge loco's; "Rough Pup" (a Quarry Hunslet") and "Bluebelle" (a Romulus). The trains carried invited guests and local dignitories up to Far Leys. Behind the trains began a cavalcade of locomotives with 1401 (driven by Dave as it was her first lap of the day), pulling a coach and a handful of assorted scale wagons, being the 2nd loco in the cavalcade which followed the "VIP Trains". Making good time we chugged through the woods and up to Far Leys where Pete Waterman, the EWR Committee, the Dignitories, a line up of Traction Engines and a large crowd of public viewers awaited us. 1401 pulled up behind the "Darjeeling B" Class (the first loco in the cavalcade). Behind us, many loco's were arriving, both steam and diesel. The speeches then began and lasted for around 10 minutes before Far Leys was declared open, the ribbon being cut by Mr Waterman himself to a chorus of cheers, applause, whistles and steam sirens! Following this and a chat with Statfold Barn supremo Graham Lee (who expressed his likes for the 14xx!), we all returned to Harvesters. Dave then handed me the regulator and I continued to do a good few laps around the huge circuit...it was great!
The track had been laid to a very high standard with a good amount of ballast underneath. 1401 drove like a dream; the injectors were perfect, the steaming was perfect and the riding was perfect...everything went well. The scenary of the new 1.5-mile circuit is fantastic too, mixing deep woodland with open fields and, finally, open views across the lake which, on a hot, sunny day like today, was breath-taking. (You can really see why the EWR chose the route which they did). Anyway, back on 1401, after a good few laps it was now 5:30pm and, with a special meal being served at 6pm for members and guests, we decided to give it a rest for a while. Therefore, I reversed 1401 off the relief line (in the yard) and onto the turntable road before placing her back onto her steaming bay. Dave then filled the boiler and refilled the lubricator before we left to get "cleaned up". (This is not saying that we disposed, we were going to run again later on...straight after dinner!). Meanwhile, over in the Harvesters Station car park, the Traction Engines (including 4 full size examples) were steaming away. Below we can see the beautiful Showman's engine alongside a 4" Garratt. In the background can be seen the full size Aveiling Porter Tractor (bit bigger than "Blue Circle"!)... 
As I mentioned earlier, we had been chatting to Statfold Barn supremo Graham Lee who, being a kind and enthusiastic gentleman, provided some of his full size engines for the event! The little 3-ton Simplicity Roller "Emily", which I roaded from Shackerstone to Statfold back in September 2008 (see post here), was present as well as the huge, strikingly beautiful Marshall, "Mary". Below, the Marshall shines in the sun before the crew take her off to the pub for some "liquid refreshment"...
Over with "Emily", my friend Phil (Statfold employee and Shackerstone driver/fireman) was preparing her for the short road-run down to the 'local'. He remarked on how much he liked the little steam roller, which was once owned by Parry's of London. The Simplicity, though small, provided one very useful feature to the owners; a very tight turning-circle. This feature is arguably what kept these little rollers in service for so long. (See?! Size doesn't matter!). After banking up the fire I watched Phil chug off with "Emily". He had actually invited me to steer the engine down the pub but I had to stay behind for the meal ("Oh well, maybe next time!"). Below, little "Emily" is waiting in the Council Enclosure in the country park before departure for the Pub!...
After a nice meal we returned to 1401 who still had a small yet glowing fire and a good water level. With pressure raised again and the Hall, Garratt and one of the Romulus' still in steam too, we set off onto the circuit. The first run however was something different; just the massive 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 Garratt loco hauling every piece of rolling stock that could be found. The train was hugely long (I should have took a picture really) and included at least 70 passengers at the last count! There were even some wagons on the end just to make sure that there was ALOT of weight behind the huge 16-driving wheeled loco! As I watched from the steaming bay, the Garratt, with much steam, grinding, slipping and chugging, got the train underway. However, one EWR member was sitting on the front water tank to provide more adhesive weight all the way around the circuit. It was a MAD undertaking but the Garratt did it none the less. I on the other hand was following on 1401 in case of emergency banking assitance. (PS-Thats a joke, if the Garratt got stuck then there was no hope!). After the huge run the Garratt was disposed, as well as the Romulus, whilst 1401 and the Hall soldiered on through the evening. After several very fast runs we gave up at 9:30pm before a quick disposal and locking away of 1401 for the night (she'll be out again tomorrow probably).After this, I thanked everyone I could, especially Dave and Kevin (dave's dad) for their time, their invitation and the use of their lovely Class 14xx. It had been another great day and I must admit that the EWR is now a fantastic line, both for riding and driving. For their website, click here. The highlight of the day must have been enjoying a nice pint with Pete Waterman though...really nice guy! Thanks for reading folks. Evening All, I need some rest!...
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