When Peter Langridge, of the Guildford Society of Model Engineers, conceived the idea
of running an efficiency trial for locomotives weighing less than 50lbs and of the smaller
gauges, he generated a formula that could be applied to all tracks, did not require a
dynamometer car and would enable a fun weekend event to be run with an element of
competition. Having been run for a couple of years at Southern venues, the BSME were
invited to run the event this year before moving to Warrington next year.

If Peter had included a factor for weather conditions in his formula then the weekend
would have been a plus factor as this was perfect for the whole weekend and allowed
our visitors to see the absolute beauty and tranquillity of our facility, and those camping
on site some wonderful sunsets and sunrises!

The running of the event was undertaken by Peter Flavell and Ken Toone as I was fitted
with a new knee 3 days before the event so sadly missed it! Sponsorship was provided
by the Model Engineer, Warco and Station Road Steam and BSME decided to present
an award to the most meritous entrant to be decided by those members present on the
day. All entrants were also presented with a certificate to commemorate their participation
in the event.

Full details of all the performances will be published elsewhere but the first place prize
was indeed won by Peter Langridge after 2 unbelievably close runs and was adjudged
by all to be well deserved after all his efforts to win the event since its inception! Second
prize went to Paul Tomkins from Aldershot and third went to Mike Richardson from
Bristol with our own Stephen Harrison finishing fourth.

A very spirited and entertaining performance had been displayed all weekend by Len
Steel from Woking with his beautiful Lion locomotive loving christened “Lenny the Lion”
and he was unanimously awarded the BSME award of two sacks of coal!!!! This was
very well received and portrayed the spirit in which the weekend had been run. This
award was calculated, on his achieved efficiency figures, to enable him to run for a
further 258 miles in 71.6 hours!!!

Grateful thanks are extended to Evelyn Bartlett and Helen Whitworth for providing
catering to a very high standard (where would we be without the help of our catering
staff?) and in presenting the prizes at the conclusion of the event, Peter Flavell
reflected the thoughts of All competitors and spectators that it had been a first class
weekend that more than achieved the objectives and gave a fun weekend to remember.

The Annual Cup Competition for 2009 was held on Sunday 15th February in the Clubhouse.
There was quite a good attendance for the event, by members and friends, but the total
number of exhibits, was perhaps a little down, compared with previous years. The results
of the competition were as follows:-

Best Finished Model, awarded the Picknell
Cup to Ray Phillips for his fine example of a
marquetry plaque.

Best Unfinished Model,
awarded the Lehman Cup to
Peter Wardle for his 1 1/2“
Scale Allchin Traction Engine

Best Non-steam Exhibit,
awarded the Sherborne Cup
to Ken Toone for his Gauge
1 Class 323 EMU 3-car set.

Best Junior Exhibit, and
awarded the Junior Cup, to
Stephen Harrison for his
Gauge 1 Hunslet Tank
Locomotive & Wagons.

The Jubilee Cup, which is awarded to a member, exhibiting for the first
time, was not awarded as there were no entries for this class.

This year’s Efficiency Trial was held on Sunday 5th April amidst good sunny weather. This trial
is virtually the same as a Mini Imlec for the members. However, the rules are altered slightly to
allow a number of members to drive a particular loco, with interesting results.

The first away was Junior Member
Stephen Harrison, driving Peter
Wardle’s 5” Nigel Gresley. Stephen won
last year’s event with a result better than
the owner!!. However, in this event he
didn’t quite equal last year’s figure, with
an Efficiency of 2.24%

Next was David Shrimpton driving
his 5” Simplex. This was quite a
steady run, finishing with an
Efficiency of 1.02%

The Third run was John Budd with his 3
1/2“ Maisie. This was the only 3 1/2”
entry and he did well to achieve an
Efficiency of 1.3%

The Fourth run was Peter Wardle
driving his own 5” Nigel Gresley.
Here, it was important for Peter to
regain his honour, having lost last
year. So, he set to, with vigour and
produced a fine run, ending with an
Efficiency of just 3.0%

The Next competitor was just about to take the collar, when ‘Sods Law’ and ‘Herr Gremlin’
intervened, when it was found that the Dynamometer car was not registering any results.

Now, the Dynamometer car was constructed by us, way back in the 1960’s for use in the
very first International Loco Efficiency Competition. Since then it has had very little
maintenance with the result that the drive between the wheels and the Integrator unit was
found to be sheared.

We therefore had no alternative but to declare the trial as finished.

However, running continued throughout the day for those members who wished to have a run,
but obviously no recording could be undertaken.

Finally, in the late afternoon the results were awarded as follows:-

The Efficiency Cup was presented by our
Vice president Keith Bloor, to Peter
Wardle for his fine run with Nigel
Gresley, reaching an efficiency of 3.0%

The Presentation for the best 3 1/2” run
was made again by Keith, to John Budd
for his run with Maisie, reaching 1.3%.

John, it’s about time you replaced the
teapot with a suitable alternative,
after all you are our Treasurer!!

Below are the Trial results in more detail.

The locomotive’s colourful paint shone and
the brass sparkled in the welcome sunshine
during this year’s annual gathering of model
engineers at the Illshaw Heath tracksite,
bringing an air of relaxation and contented
activity to the proceedings. This time, as
in the past, we were treated to a wide range
of steam, diesel and electric types from the
delicate Gauge 1 Tank engine complete with a
rake of 6-wheel coaches to the 7 ¼ “ gauge
Nigel Gresley goods engine hauling a heavy
trainload of happy passengers.

There were quite a number of modellers who
regularly make the trip to the Midlands,
notably a couple from the Maidstone area
who brought along at least three steam locos
to please the crowds on both Saturday and
Sunday. An enthusiastic group of Gauge 1
folk put their steeds to the test by hauling
long trains around the recently extended
forest loop, an out and back addition to the
established circuit built at the entrance
end of the infield part of our site.

As is usual at these meetings plenty of liquid
is required, both for the locos and drivers...
those of whom require a copious supply of tea!
Likewise a ready supply of tasty snacks were
available throughout the day, with the added
attraction of a splendid meat salad and dessert,
finished off with choice of wine or real ale.
Thanks for this go to the wives of members,
without whom the catering would not be possible.

The early evening was rounded off with many,
people enjoying the food under the two stylish,
marquees erected to ward off inclement weather.,
Thankfully this seemed to have worked as,
Saturday evening was a very pleasant one with,
favourable comments on both the relaxed,
atmosphere and our “late mini summer”. With,
the dusk approaching a few keen drivers still,
enjoyed a ride under the fading light with,
the coloured light signals helping them along,
the way.

As is usual at these meetings plenty of liquid
is required, both for the locos and drivers...
those of whom require a copious supply of tea!
Likewise a ready supply of tasty snacks were
available throughout the day, with the added
attraction of a splendid meat salad and dessert,
finished off with choice of wine or real ale.
Thanks for this go to the wives of members,
without whom the catering would not be possible.

For some overnighters Sunday, like began
Saturday with an English breakfast in
preparation for another active day that
saw more new arrivals during the morning.
Here and there groups of folk chatted,
took train rides and generally made the
most of the afternoon before packing away
those things that a travelling loco family
need and finally heading homewards.

The visitor’s book shows a record number of
54 engines making for an interesting variety,
next year will be our 25th National Rally
when we hope to add even more to the
proceedings. This should be one for your
diary.

This year’s exhibition was again held at The
Fosse Exhibition Centre and our Society had it’s
usual stand. The stand was presented well, with
a fine selection of models, from Gauge 1 to 7¼”
supplemented by a number of machine tool items
and other non steam exhibits.

Perhaps the highlight of the show from the
Society’s point of view was the awarding of 1st
prize to member Peter Wardle for his very fine
Allchin traction engine, which was entered in
the "Road Vehicle – Static" section.

The photos show a selection of the
very fine models seen at the show.

© Copyright Birmingham Society of Model Engineers Ltd All
Rights Reserved