"An Auto and A Scot" At Echills Wood Railway...
Hello everybody. I hope all of my reader's are well and enjoying their summer's as I am. Today was another invitation from my friend Dave and it was again to the 7.25" gauge Echills Wood Railway at Kingsbury Water Park. I must admit, even since I last came to drive here back in May (see seperate post) the railway has changed so much. Even around the yard area, huge changes have been made including the building of new storage roads for one! Anyway, after arriving at Dave's house at around 8:30am in heavy rain, I jumped quickly into the Range Rover before we set off for Kingsbury. We were taking along Dave's 14xx 0-4-2 No1401 as well as two LMS Coaches, a Box Van and a GWR Toad Brake Van (1401's Driving Truck). Once at Kingsbury we joined the queue to unload. Already on the Hydraulic Loading Ramp was a huge 4-8-8-4 American 'Big Boy', adorning two huge tenders which, in full size terms, would hold around 25,000 gallons each!! Once the mammoth 'Big Boy' was unloaded, we got 1401 out of the Range Rover and also got her stock off the trailer. The smart looking 14xx was then pushed around to the turntable at the Roundhouse before being turned. We then pushed her back onto one of the steaming bays, alongside a beautiful model of A1 Pacific "Great Northern". Dave soon had 1401's boiler filled up (through the Blowdown fitting) whilst I prepared the tools. I then set about oiling the engine up; not the easiest task, particularly with such confined inside Stephenson's Valve Gear (I wouldn't want to oil up a full-size one!). Once oiled it was time to light up (it was a bit smokey mind')... 
Lighting up took the usual course of starting with Parrafin soaked wood before moving on to coal. Today was the first day of the EWR's annual Standard Gauge Weekend during which, for one weekend only, all Narrow Gauge engine's were banned and scale engine's took over. There were some really impressive bits of kit in attendence. I particularly liked the model of the double-chimney 9F "Evening Star" which carried a price tag of around £70, 000. ("I'll have two please, sir!"). Meanwhile, whilst I got 1401 ready, an impressive line-up was forming on the new storage roads opposite. Below, you can see a Midland 2P 4-4-0, a Thompson B1 4-6-0, a K4 2-6-0 and two beautiful Royal Scot Class 4-6-0s...
Soon, 1401 was ready and we trundled off shed before coupling up to the two very nice LMS Coaches. The Brake Van (1401's Driving Truck) and the Box Van were then sandwiched between the loco and the coaches. Both Van's contain Water Tanks to feed the twin Injectors and, whilst running together, provided massive water capacity which was more than ample for the 1.5-mile or so round trip to Far Leys and back behind 1401. Once coupled, off we set for Far Leys. With Drain Taps hissing and wheels spinning, we edged out of the siding from the Roundhouse which is set on a 1 in 40 upgrade; no easy task with a 4-coupled engine on oily rails! Even so, 1401 chugged out of the siding before Dave jumped on the front coach. I was then given permission to "open up" and head out onto the 1.5-mile long Main Line. 1401 steamed very well, as usual, and the injectors were very responsive. The track was, again, very nice to drive and gave a smooth ride on well-laid fishplates. On top of this, the very well laid ballast made the track very stable with very few "titled" areas. Soon, we approached Far Leys and we sped through non-stop (obeying all speed limits!). Soon, after a quick dash down the 7mph stretch towards the Road Crossing, we arrived back at Harvesters (into Platform 3) and Dave jumped off for a chat with some of his acquiantances. Just then, Danny and Carl turned up from Shack and I gave them a ride round; both of them were actually surprised at the huge length of the EWR; it is very long indeed! I then carried on running for a few laps before handing over to Dave for a while so I could get some lunch. I then returned to the engine for another two or three laps later on before coming off at 3:45pm. We then disposed 1401 and positioned her for photographs on the new storage roads...
I'd had a very good day driving once again and the EWR people again seemed very friendly. In total, approximately 17 locomotive's ran on the railway TOGETHER during the day. I suppose the length of the line does help on day's like these as, of course, if the track was shorter then you would need to limit the amount of loco's somewhat. However, so I heard, the EWR is hosting the 7.25" Gauge AGM this September and, on the weekend, 160 engines per day(!) are rostered to run! Wow! Anyway, during the day 1401 had run very well indeed and neither myself or Dave reported any problems. I had even had the chance to drive the loco with a "load on" when some visitors boarded the LMS Coaches. 1401 worked even better with the load but the biggest problem was adhesion on the oily rails. This problem was being caused by the massive 'Big Boy' which was going around the track in front of me. The huge 4-8-8-4 was experiencing problems and had her Drain Taps open all the time, spilling oil, grime and water everywhere. Therefore, when I came along behind, poor old 1401 could hardly grip the rails; no surprise really! Below, we see a quick view of the outside storage roads at Tea Time showing a B1, K4, Royal Scot, Steam Crane, 1401 and various rolling stock... 
Speaking of a Royal Scot, I actually got to drive one later in the day; "YES"! This wonderful Bassett-Lowke 4-6-0 was built by Apprentices of the GEC back in the 1950s (or there-abouts) and was once used at the Brookside Railway. However, the Royal Scot was soon "laid up" as the poor quality of the Brookside track was playing havoc with her. 6100 was then kept as a display model before being bought by her current owner in a dilapidated state. After acquiring a brand new boiler and being given a chassis overhaul, the loco returned to service on her owners 7.25" gauge oval of track, located in his back garden. Happily, he was invited to the EWR today and brought his beautiful LMS engine with him. After a chat with him regarding his beautiful loco, I enjoyed a ride to Far Leys and back behind her before being offered a drive; "YES"! The "Royal Scot" embodied everything normal including screw reverser, regulator, two injectors, two gauge glasses, axle pump, whistle, manual drain cocks and a large firebox. The one different thing was the lack of Vacuum Brakes; 'stopping ability' being provided by the Handbrake on the tender which, admittedly, with the Driver's weight on top, seemed to work pretty well. Sitting atop the tender, I was able to reach everything in the sizeable cab and got comfortable ready for the 1.5-mile trip to Far Leys. The owner told me the "quirks" of his engine before allowing me to set off while he had a break before disposal. 6100 ran and steamed beautifully, riding the track like a true main line engine with no jurking or lurching from side to side! (I'm too used to narrow gauge stuff!). Along the straights in particular, 6100 was a dream and I must express great thanks to the owner for giving me the oppotunity to drive her; she really was something. Below, "Royal Scot" is seen in the yard after running; beautiful... 
The next picture is one for a friend of mine; Mr John Drury; a prolific local Model Engineer who builds engine's like ordinary people build Lego. The engine below, "Loch Lomond", was built by John and embodies many of his inspired features, such as his Regulator-handle style. Below, "Loch Lomond" stands in the yard at Kingsbury. Now owned by somebody else, "Loch Lomond" runs regularly on EWR metals. "Don't worry John, she's still alive and well!"...
As it was now Tea Time I could have a proper look at some of the engines; such as "Loch Lomond" and the 'Big Boy'. Though the American 4-8-8-4 wasn't running very well today, the huge size of this mammoth locomotive must be appreciated, even in 7.25" gauge! Below, the huge engine, featuring SIXTEEN driving wheels, stands on one of the bays in the Roundhouse (only one her tenders was connected at this point as two just wouldn't fitted in the Roundhouse!)...
The engine, named "Franklin D Roosevelt", was really a massive thing. You have to appreciate an engine that carries 24 wheels as well as two tenders that have 14 wheels each as well as being fitted with FIVE safety valves!! The shovel used to the fire the engine was itself over 12 inches long; it had a huge grate. The weight of the thing must be huge, even though it was only transported on a pretty standard trailer. Rather worryingly, she was only held on her trailer by 'bungee rope' (so, if he accelerates too quickly, you may have a 'Big Boy' coming your way before it retracts back onto its trailer!). The thing was absolutely huge folks, I can't describe how big it was; see for yourselves...
After dinner, I resteamed 1401 for some evening running. The engine steamed up very quickly and I was soon steaming back up the 1 in 40 gradient out of the yard with steam hissing from the Drain Taps. After running up to North Gate (where the Main Line begins), I reversed back down 'Wrong Line' before hitching up to the front of a 7-coach train, hauled by a GWR 68xx Grange Class 4-6-0. We would now be double-heading for some high speed evening running! With Dave on the regulator for the first lap and myself on the Box Van, we set off. I must admit, I've never had a Grange chimney up my back before and it's not that comfortable! The first run was quick and very enjoyable. For the 2nd lap, I was handed the regulator on 1401 and told to "go for it". (What a silly thing to say that was!). Once through North Gate I gave 1401 some stick as we climbed through the Woods. The Grange was trying to keep up behind but kept falling into a slip for some reason. 1401 was working very hard and the fire was being wripped apart by the force of the bark. (Almost full regulator and fully notched forward is a bit of a trial for a loco of any size!!). As I looked back, I could see the Driver of the Grange chuckling away; she had been 'shut-off' for a good portion of the run; 1401 had hauled the Grange and 7 coaches! Soon, we arrived back at Harvesters and decided to do a 3rd and final run. This time, with no horses spared, we really went for it! 1401 roared up the line and, as we marched through the tunnel, sparks flew from the chimney. In fact, one huge lump flew from the chimney, hit the tunnel roof and came down right in this lad's eye at the back of the train! Ouch; "sorry"! Through Far Leys we went and straight back down the 7mph stretch into Harvesters. My two runs were fantastic and thank you to both Dave and James (the Grange owner) for giving me the chance; it was like Main Line running in miniature! After this, we uncoupled both loco's and ran backwards down the 1 in 40 to the Roundhouse where we disposed both engines. Then, after cleaning up and saying my Thank You's and Goodbyes, we set off for home. (Thanks for the lift home Dave & Kevin; much appreciated!). It was another great day at EWR and I can highly recommend their railway to you; its great. Thanks alot to Dave & Kevin for another great day out with 1401. Thanks for reading folks. Evening All...
Hello everybody. I hope all of my reader's are well and enjoying their summer's as I am. Today was another invitation from my friend Dave and it was again to the 7.25" gauge Echills Wood Railway at Kingsbury Water Park. I must admit, even since I last came to drive here back in May (see seperate post) the railway has changed so much. Even around the yard area, huge changes have been made including the building of new storage roads for one! Anyway, after arriving at Dave's house at around 8:30am in heavy rain, I jumped quickly into the Range Rover before we set off for Kingsbury. We were taking along Dave's 14xx 0-4-2 No1401 as well as two LMS Coaches, a Box Van and a GWR Toad Brake Van (1401's Driving Truck). Once at Kingsbury we joined the queue to unload. Already on the Hydraulic Loading Ramp was a huge 4-8-8-4 American 'Big Boy', adorning two huge tenders which, in full size terms, would hold around 25,000 gallons each!! Once the mammoth 'Big Boy' was unloaded, we got 1401 out of the Range Rover and also got her stock off the trailer. The smart looking 14xx was then pushed around to the turntable at the Roundhouse before being turned. We then pushed her back onto one of the steaming bays, alongside a beautiful model of A1 Pacific "Great Northern". Dave soon had 1401's boiler filled up (through the Blowdown fitting) whilst I prepared the tools. I then set about oiling the engine up; not the easiest task, particularly with such confined inside Stephenson's Valve Gear (I wouldn't want to oil up a full-size one!). Once oiled it was time to light up (it was a bit smokey mind')... 
Lighting up took the usual course of starting with Parrafin soaked wood before moving on to coal. Today was the first day of the EWR's annual Standard Gauge Weekend during which, for one weekend only, all Narrow Gauge engine's were banned and scale engine's took over. There were some really impressive bits of kit in attendence. I particularly liked the model of the double-chimney 9F "Evening Star" which carried a price tag of around £70, 000. ("I'll have two please, sir!"). Meanwhile, whilst I got 1401 ready, an impressive line-up was forming on the new storage roads opposite. Below, you can see a Midland 2P 4-4-0, a Thompson B1 4-6-0, a K4 2-6-0 and two beautiful Royal Scot Class 4-6-0s...
Soon, 1401 was ready and we trundled off shed before coupling up to the two very nice LMS Coaches. The Brake Van (1401's Driving Truck) and the Box Van were then sandwiched between the loco and the coaches. Both Van's contain Water Tanks to feed the twin Injectors and, whilst running together, provided massive water capacity which was more than ample for the 1.5-mile or so round trip to Far Leys and back behind 1401. Once coupled, off we set for Far Leys. With Drain Taps hissing and wheels spinning, we edged out of the siding from the Roundhouse which is set on a 1 in 40 upgrade; no easy task with a 4-coupled engine on oily rails! Even so, 1401 chugged out of the siding before Dave jumped on the front coach. I was then given permission to "open up" and head out onto the 1.5-mile long Main Line. 1401 steamed very well, as usual, and the injectors were very responsive. The track was, again, very nice to drive and gave a smooth ride on well-laid fishplates. On top of this, the very well laid ballast made the track very stable with very few "titled" areas. Soon, we approached Far Leys and we sped through non-stop (obeying all speed limits!). Soon, after a quick dash down the 7mph stretch towards the Road Crossing, we arrived back at Harvesters (into Platform 3) and Dave jumped off for a chat with some of his acquiantances. Just then, Danny and Carl turned up from Shack and I gave them a ride round; both of them were actually surprised at the huge length of the EWR; it is very long indeed! I then carried on running for a few laps before handing over to Dave for a while so I could get some lunch. I then returned to the engine for another two or three laps later on before coming off at 3:45pm. We then disposed 1401 and positioned her for photographs on the new storage roads...
I'd had a very good day driving once again and the EWR people again seemed very friendly. In total, approximately 17 locomotive's ran on the railway TOGETHER during the day. I suppose the length of the line does help on day's like these as, of course, if the track was shorter then you would need to limit the amount of loco's somewhat. However, so I heard, the EWR is hosting the 7.25" Gauge AGM this September and, on the weekend, 160 engines per day(!) are rostered to run! Wow! Anyway, during the day 1401 had run very well indeed and neither myself or Dave reported any problems. I had even had the chance to drive the loco with a "load on" when some visitors boarded the LMS Coaches. 1401 worked even better with the load but the biggest problem was adhesion on the oily rails. This problem was being caused by the massive 'Big Boy' which was going around the track in front of me. The huge 4-8-8-4 was experiencing problems and had her Drain Taps open all the time, spilling oil, grime and water everywhere. Therefore, when I came along behind, poor old 1401 could hardly grip the rails; no surprise really! Below, we see a quick view of the outside storage roads at Tea Time showing a B1, K4, Royal Scot, Steam Crane, 1401 and various rolling stock... 
Speaking of a Royal Scot, I actually got to drive one later in the day; "YES"! This wonderful Bassett-Lowke 4-6-0 was built by Apprentices of the GEC back in the 1950s (or there-abouts) and was once used at the Brookside Railway. However, the Royal Scot was soon "laid up" as the poor quality of the Brookside track was playing havoc with her. 6100 was then kept as a display model before being bought by her current owner in a dilapidated state. After acquiring a brand new boiler and being given a chassis overhaul, the loco returned to service on her owners 7.25" gauge oval of track, located in his back garden. Happily, he was invited to the EWR today and brought his beautiful LMS engine with him. After a chat with him regarding his beautiful loco, I enjoyed a ride to Far Leys and back behind her before being offered a drive; "YES"! The "Royal Scot" embodied everything normal including screw reverser, regulator, two injectors, two gauge glasses, axle pump, whistle, manual drain cocks and a large firebox. The one different thing was the lack of Vacuum Brakes; 'stopping ability' being provided by the Handbrake on the tender which, admittedly, with the Driver's weight on top, seemed to work pretty well. Sitting atop the tender, I was able to reach everything in the sizeable cab and got comfortable ready for the 1.5-mile trip to Far Leys. The owner told me the "quirks" of his engine before allowing me to set off while he had a break before disposal. 6100 ran and steamed beautifully, riding the track like a true main line engine with no jurking or lurching from side to side! (I'm too used to narrow gauge stuff!). Along the straights in particular, 6100 was a dream and I must express great thanks to the owner for giving me the oppotunity to drive her; she really was something. Below, "Royal Scot" is seen in the yard after running; beautiful... 
The next picture is one for a friend of mine; Mr John Drury; a prolific local Model Engineer who builds engine's like ordinary people build Lego. The engine below, "Loch Lomond", was built by John and embodies many of his inspired features, such as his Regulator-handle style. Below, "Loch Lomond" stands in the yard at Kingsbury. Now owned by somebody else, "Loch Lomond" runs regularly on EWR metals. "Don't worry John, she's still alive and well!"...
As it was now Tea Time I could have a proper look at some of the engines; such as "Loch Lomond" and the 'Big Boy'. Though the American 4-8-8-4 wasn't running very well today, the huge size of this mammoth locomotive must be appreciated, even in 7.25" gauge! Below, the huge engine, featuring SIXTEEN driving wheels, stands on one of the bays in the Roundhouse (only one her tenders was connected at this point as two just wouldn't fitted in the Roundhouse!)...
The engine, named "Franklin D Roosevelt", was really a massive thing. You have to appreciate an engine that carries 24 wheels as well as two tenders that have 14 wheels each as well as being fitted with FIVE safety valves!! The shovel used to the fire the engine was itself over 12 inches long; it had a huge grate. The weight of the thing must be huge, even though it was only transported on a pretty standard trailer. Rather worryingly, she was only held on her trailer by 'bungee rope' (so, if he accelerates too quickly, you may have a 'Big Boy' coming your way before it retracts back onto its trailer!). The thing was absolutely huge folks, I can't describe how big it was; see for yourselves...
After dinner, I resteamed 1401 for some evening running. The engine steamed up very quickly and I was soon steaming back up the 1 in 40 gradient out of the yard with steam hissing from the Drain Taps. After running up to North Gate (where the Main Line begins), I reversed back down 'Wrong Line' before hitching up to the front of a 7-coach train, hauled by a GWR 68xx Grange Class 4-6-0. We would now be double-heading for some high speed evening running! With Dave on the regulator for the first lap and myself on the Box Van, we set off. I must admit, I've never had a Grange chimney up my back before and it's not that comfortable! The first run was quick and very enjoyable. For the 2nd lap, I was handed the regulator on 1401 and told to "go for it". (What a silly thing to say that was!). Once through North Gate I gave 1401 some stick as we climbed through the Woods. The Grange was trying to keep up behind but kept falling into a slip for some reason. 1401 was working very hard and the fire was being wripped apart by the force of the bark. (Almost full regulator and fully notched forward is a bit of a trial for a loco of any size!!). As I looked back, I could see the Driver of the Grange chuckling away; she had been 'shut-off' for a good portion of the run; 1401 had hauled the Grange and 7 coaches! Soon, we arrived back at Harvesters and decided to do a 3rd and final run. This time, with no horses spared, we really went for it! 1401 roared up the line and, as we marched through the tunnel, sparks flew from the chimney. In fact, one huge lump flew from the chimney, hit the tunnel roof and came down right in this lad's eye at the back of the train! Ouch; "sorry"! Through Far Leys we went and straight back down the 7mph stretch into Harvesters. My two runs were fantastic and thank you to both Dave and James (the Grange owner) for giving me the chance; it was like Main Line running in miniature! After this, we uncoupled both loco's and ran backwards down the 1 in 40 to the Roundhouse where we disposed both engines. Then, after cleaning up and saying my Thank You's and Goodbyes, we set off for home. (Thanks for the lift home Dave & Kevin; much appreciated!). It was another great day at EWR and I can highly recommend their railway to you; its great. Thanks alot to Dave & Kevin for another great day out with 1401. Thanks for reading folks. Evening All...
2 comments:
I remember John Drury and his 2 lads Ian and Paul , lost touch which is a pity as I am struggling with a couple of 3" scale Allchinds that I know John would have finished in a few weeks !
Alan Jones
Hi there. Thanks for your comment. Very sad to say John sadly passed away on June 9th. A prolific engineer with a wealth of irreplaceable experience. He will be missed
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