The Echills Wood Railway Observer

1st EWR TRACTION ENGINE

RALLY - MAY 10th/11th 2008 

NOW FULLY UPDATED!

What glorious weather we had for our first Miniature Traction Engine Rally to be held at The Echills Wood Railway in Kingsbury Water Park. This was a good start to what is hoped to become an annual event each May and together with our Gala Weekend in July which commemorates our Official Opening Day last year, it looks promising for more events in the future.

Almost twenty models attended this event and it is hoped that more will attend next year to make it even more, a greater success. Kingsbury Water Park is the ideal new location for the EWR having previously been at Stoneleigh for the past twenty five years. As time goes on, more events of this kind are sure to develop, making the EWR one of the most popular Miniature Railways in the country.

I have managed to put together over 100 hundred photos for this Special Report and besides most of what I managed to capture myself, many more of you sent in photos, for which I thank you all. I won't give credit in the captions, so here are those that have sent photos in. Jeff Cogan, Ken Bull, Rod Herdsman, Matt Spencer & Dale Williams. Thank You All! If I have missed any one out, my apologies, but your contributions are most welcome. I have tried to display as good a selection as possible, so if some of your photos are not displayed here, please forgive me, as I have had so many to choose from.

 

SATURDAY 10th May

One of the four Showman Models, that were here on both days.

There were some beautiful models on show, but this set up has to be the highlight of the whole event. The Griffin Miniature Showman's Engine & Fair Organ.

The organ itself is a full size 35 key, built into a seven foot long trailer. It is powered from the generator of Griffin and must have near on 100 hundred different tunes.

The Griffin has won many awards since it was built and it's owner and builder can be seen here with his father. Not only has he built it, he has also made all the patterns, cast & machined all the parts and assembled it, which took many years to complete. Let's take a closer look at this engine, before showing what else was on show.

The Griffin

A close up of the front, showing the generator, which powers the organ

The Griffin & Fair Organ working together.

The star of the show on the railway, has to be Peggy. Together with it's own set of six chocolate & cream coaches, this loco can easily cope with the crowds. Let's take a closer look at Peggy this time, before continuing with the rest of what was on show.

Peggy's Smokebox.

Peggy's Cab.

One of Peggy's Cylinders & Valve Gear.

Peggy with the coaches.

John Drury was displaying this miniature stationary engine, which was seen puffing away merrily all day long.

There was a very good selection of models including these two fine specimens.

Many various scales were represented as well, right down to........

.......this little road roller, which made many journeys from Far Leys and back during the day.

A couple of EWR members, Kevin & his youngest son David, in the blue shirt, with their Garratt Traction Engine & Trailer.

This is Barry Kefford's Foden Steam Lorry. Barry was the main organiser for this event.

Kevin's Garratt.

Immediately joined with another one.

"Anyone for a trip to Far Leys?"

One of the Showmans returns from Far Leys with a trailer full of happy passengers.

"It's quicker by train!"

Peggy & Jim's Chessie seen here, were the only two locos on duty during Saturday, but with sic coach trains each, they soon handled the crowds.

Jane, parked up in Old Oak Yard, whilst the crew take some refreshements.

Never the train (twain) shall meet!

David driving along the Far Leys car park. This is where the Traction Engines were based for the weekend.

 

Looks like it's ready for some coal I think!

"Put kettle on love, I'm dry as a bone!"

A Showmans, returns to Far Leys.

Jeff & I were taking turns in driving Jim's loco for most of the day. This must have been a quiet moment around dinner time.

David & Kevin on their way back to Harvester's, so I decided to hitch a ride to capture a few on boards shots.

Driver's eye view of the controls.

Steady on David, this is where it runs down hill. Tunnel Bend on the Far Leys Road.

Just about to pass Old Oak Yard, and there's a train due.

Peggy and her train, enters Old Oak Yard, as we wait for the barriers to raise.

Oh dear! I think we have a breakdown. Well not exactly, one of the tyres was loose on its rim, but it was repaired overnight and was back in action on Sunday.

They got Jeff Stevens to do the donkey work of winding it up on the winch, with the help of its own power of course. "Wind in that slack Mr Stevens, before the wind hits the sails!"

Peggy the crowd mover, waiting for the next train load of passengers.

Jim takes a turn on his loco. Can you spot the deliberate mistake?

You can't stop there Andy!

Jeff coming through Echills Wood, aboard the B&Q Chessie.

Adrian driving Barry's Foden towards Wood's Crossing.

"Oh gawd! they haven't let him loose on it have they!"

"Where's the clutch pedal Barry?"

"I want one! Anybody want to buy the Countess?"

I don't think he is waving at the Gnomes.

Andy coming through Old Oak yard with a full train.

Passing Crocodile Creek

"I wondered when I was going to appear on here. Ah well, they always say the last ones the best!"

SUNDAY 11th MAY

SORRY THAT THIS TOPIC GOT DELAYED, BUT HERE IS THE REST OF THE PHOTO'S FOR TWO DAY TRACTION ENGINE RALLY.

Sunday was the busiest of the two days and today's photos show more of the railway operations than was shown for Saturday.

 

The wonderful Fair Organ was in operation again, all day on Sunday

One of the magnificent Showman's Engines.

We were fortunate to have quite a long goods train running for most of the day, which was an added attraction for the public. It's not often the public see what else the Echills Railway can run, besides the normal passenger services. Here is Loch Lomond, which was assigned to goods duties, with Ian, its owner, having five at Harvester's Station.

These beautiful goods wagons belong to Ken Smith and Ken has built each one of them from scratch, using mainly photographs from the real types of wagons. Each wagon is authentically built to a scale of 1/8th actual size. Believe it or not, Ken can load all thirty wagons onto his large trailer, which has three deck levels of four tracks per deck. The only trouble being, that it takes Ken about an hour to unload and the same to reload the whole set.

Ken has quite a good variety of wagons, from vans of various types to open wagons and tankers, as well as a few guards vans representing BR, and pre grouping companies.

 

Full trains ran for most of the day and here we see Gillian, belonging to James.

Another full train, this time Thirlaiston Hall, with a mixture of GWR & BR Ex Midland Coaches.

Jeff, driving  Loch Lomond on the goods train, with a few of the members, seated on the NPX Van.

I think this and the previous shot taken through the signal captures the goods train quite well, as it approaches Harvester's Station.

The end of the train.

Gillian coming through Old Oak Yard with the Pullman set of coaches, as Loch Lomond prepares to make up a goods train.

Gillian & Jim, in his B&Q Chessie or should that be B&O?

The goods train, ready to depart from Old Oak Yard.

Loch Lomond with the Goods Train.

Jeff Stevens at the controls, with Ken Smith, owner of the wagons and Dale Williams & Matt Spencer, riding on the NPX Van, as Loch Lomond takes road two, for a non stop run through Harvester's. The goods train made several through runs without stopping, during the day, which all added to the excitement of the event.

Thirlaiston Hall, just approaching Platform 1 with a full load of passengers, whilst the Pullman set, is ready to depart from Platform 3.

Loch Lomond on a fast goods, storms through Harvesters Station.

Something on a smaller scale, as several 16mm trains were running on the half completed Garden Railway. Come on Paul, when is it going to get finished?

Brett, bringing Gillian into Platform 3 with another full load of passengers.

James himself this time, driving his loco Gillian, through Old Oak Yard.

More action on the 16mm railway.

Ian & Ken on the goods train as it comes along Lakeside.

Bill on Thirlaiston Hall. coming through Walter's Meadow.

The goods train coming through Walter's Meadow.

S.M.G.R. stands for Station Masters Garden Railway, as seen on the new curved lifting bridge, built by Paul Tricket.

Ken holds on to his hat, as Jeff opens the regulator for a fast run through, which almost sucked Brian Thomas off the platform!  

A nice low down shot of Loch Lomond with the goods train in Old Oak Yard.

One of the Traction Engines waiting for the train to cross Woods Crossing.

Part of Echills Wood, seen from a passenger view.

"Haven't seen any juicy children yet Charlie, I'm STARVING!"

"Mighty in Strength & Endurance!"

The Miniature Traction Engine Club, put on a marvelous display of Engines, throughout the whole weekend event.

"Has anyone seen my Mum?" Just one of the newly born park residents, wandering a bit too close to Crocodile Creek!

Gillian at Kerby Bend

CHARLIE!

CECILLIA! These pair have given lot's of enjoyment, to our passengers and there is a rumour, that Cecillia is going to be a Mum!

 

John Hancock on his loco Thirlaiston Hall.

Somewhere near Crocodile Creek, as a train passes in the distance.

Another shot from within Kingsbury Jungle. This is where man eating spiders  and the likes are known to frequent! HELP!

A shot taken from ??? not sure, but it just shows what Kingsbury has to offer. I think it is close to the route of the new extension. Sent in by Rod Herdsman.

Just passing the gates to Old Oak Yard.

A busy scene in Old Oak Yard, during the lunch hour.

Bacon Butty time in Old Oak Yard.

Ian, Ken & George on the goods train, at Harverster's.

Another action shot on the Garden railway.

A nice shot of James on Gillian, coming across Woodcock Bridge.

No prizes for guessing what loco this is!

A traction engine crosses Woods Crossing.

More action at Woods Crossing.

'The Fat Controller' Brian, informing Woods Crossing Box, that a fast goods is coming through. He does get in a flap sometimes you know!

Well folk's I'm afraid that's all the photos for this, the first Traction Engine Rally Weekend. Let's hope that next year builds on this successful event.

A Big THANK YOU to all the members of the Miniature Traction Engine Club, for coming to Kingsbury and making this weekend so enjoyable.