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LEIGH VALLEY LIGHT RAILWAY OPEN WEEKEND

3-4 JULY 2010



FAIR WEATHER FOR TRAINS


Although the wind blew and clouds covered the Sun towards the end of the second day, much of the 2010 Open Weekend at Grafton Road was both well lit and hot. No eight coupled locomotives were visible in three dimensions on the ground, but old favourites and new delights abounded, some of them making use of the new line directly linking Leigh Valley with Jason Junction - the latter station now being a true junction with rails on both sides of its platform. The new line allows trains travelling in an anti-clockwise direction to change to a clockwise motion without having to run engines round the rake of vehicles involved.


Although  the wind blew and clouds covered the Sun towards the end of the second day, much of the 2010 Open Weekend at Grafton Road was both well lit and hot.  No eight coupled locomotives were visible in three dimensions on the ground, but old favourites and new delights abounded, some of them making use of the new line directly linking Leigh Valley with Jason Junction - the latter station now being a true junction with rails on both sides of its platform.  The new line allows trains travelling in an anti-clockwise direction to change to a clockwise motion without having to run engines round the rake of vehicles involved.




Perhaps most like the weather vane outline was this Roundhouse 0-6-2 tender engine, representing works number 16255 built by John Fowler of Leeds in 1924 for the narrow gauge Inisfail Tramway of Queensland, Australia.


Perhaps most like the weather vane outline was this Roundhouse 0-6-2 tender engine, representing works number 16255 built by John Fowler of Leeds in 1924 for the narrow gauge Inisfail Tramway of Queensland, Australia.  


Perhaps most like the weather vane outline was this Roundhouse 0-6-2 tender engine, representing works number 16255 built by John Fowler of Leeds in 1924 for the narrow gauge Inisfail Tramway of Queensland, Australia.



Also making a welcome return appearance was Malcolm Morgan's own Avonside 0-4-0+0-4-0 Heiseler "Ernest" which has now been fitted with large front and rear headlights. The front lamp is connected by a short length of copper pipe to a dummy generator located on the right hand water tank.



Also making a welcome return appearance was Malcolm Morgan's own Avonside 0-4-0+0-4-0 Heiseler "Ernest" which has now been fitted with large front and rear headlights.  The front lamp is connected by a short length of copper pipe to  a dummy generator located on the right hand water tank.



Also making a welcome return appearance was Malcolm Morgan's own Avonside 0-4-0+0-4-0 Heiseler "Ernest" which has now been fitted with large front and rear headlights. The front lamp is connected by a short length of copper pipe to a dummy generator located on the right hand water tank.



Also making a welcome return appearance was Malcolm Morgan's own Avonside 0-4-0+0-4-0 Heiseler "Ernest" which has now been fitted with large front and rear headlights. The front lamp is connected by a short length of copper pipe to a dummy generator located on the right hand water tank.


During the event, Roger Butwell's Accucraft Lawley "Llewtub" and a friend's Pearse Ulysses combined to double head a 10 vehicle train and both 0-4-0Ts also hauled trains on their own. Accucraft's Lawley is a freelance locomotive nodding towards Hunslet designs which can be easily modified from 32mm (0 Gauge) to 45mm (Gauge 1 ) while the Pearse Ulysses can be ordered in both inside and outside framed formats.


During the event, Roger Butwell's Accucraft Lawley "Llewtub" and a friend's Pearse Ulysses combined to double head a 10 vehicle train and both 0-4-0Ts also hauled trains on their own. Accucraft's Lawley is a freelance locomotive nodding towards Hunslet designs which can be easily modified from 32mm (0 Gauge) to 45mm (Gauge 1 ) while the Pearse Ulysses can be ordered in both inside and outside framed formats.


During the event, Roger Butwell's Accucraft Lawley "Llewtub" and a friend's Pearse Ulysses combined to double head a 10 vehicle train and both 0-4-0Ts also hauled trains on their own. Accucraft's Lawley is a freelance locomotive nodding towards Hunslet designs which can be easily modified from 32mm (0 Gauge) to 45mm (Gauge 1 ) while the Pearse Ulysses can be ordered in both inside and outside framed formats.


During the event, Roger Butwell's Accucraft Lawley "Llewtub" and a friend's Pearse Ulysses combined to double head a 10 vehicle train and both 0-4-0Ts also hauled trains on their own. Accucraft's Lawley is a freelance locomotive nodding towards Hunslet designs which can be easily modified from 32mm (0 Gauge) to 45mm (Gauge 1 ) while the Pearse Ulysses can be ordered in both inside and outside framed formats.


During the event, Roger Butwell's Accucraft Lawley "Llewtub" and a friend's Pearse Ulysses combined to double head a 10 vehicle train and both 0-4-0Ts also hauled trains on their own. Accucraft's Lawley is a freelance locomotive nodding towards Hunslet designs which can be easily modified from 32mm (0 Gauge) to 45mm (Gauge 1 ) while the Pearse Ulysses can be ordered in both inside and outside framed formats.


Also red, based on Hunslet designs and with two outside cylinders was Lady Monica, although this time a saddle tank known to Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster customers as Jack. The gas fired radio-controlled 0-4-0ST also featured Walschaerts valve gear and slide valves.


Also red, based on Hunslet designs and with two outside cylinders was Lady Monica, although this time a saddle tank known to Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster customers as Jack.  The gas fired radio-controlled 0-4-0ST also featured Walschaerts valve gear and slide valves.


Also red, based on Hunslet designs and with two outside cylinders was Lady Monica, although this time a saddle tank known to Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster customers as Jack. The gas fired radio-controlled 0-4-0ST also featured Walschaerts valve gear and slide valves.




Another Roundhouse 0-4-0ST - seen here approaching Rachel Halt - was Bertie, this time combining slip-eccentric reversing gear with slide valves on twin outside cylinders measuring 9/16" x 5/8". A recommended entry-level locomotive, Bertie can be customised with components ordered from the Doncaster based manufacturers, whose "Millie" 0-6-0T - owing more to George England of New Cross in design - can be seen below behind Baguley diesel Camelot.



Another Roundhouse 0-4-0ST - seen here approaching Rachel Halt - was Bertie, this time combining slip-eccentric reversing gear with slide valves on twin outside cylinders measuring 9/16" x  5/8".  A recommended entry-level locomotive, Bertie can be customised with components ordered from the Doncaster based manufacturers, whose "Millie" 0-6-0T - owing more to George England of New Cross in design - can be seen below behind Baguley diesel Camelot.                                                                                                                         




Still at work was the Morgan Locomotive Company Garrat 8 "Alan Drewett", introduced at the 2009 Open Weekend as the last of a class of oscillating cylinder 0-4-0+0-4-0s. However, innovation is never very far away on the Leigh Valley Light Railway and a number of locomotives - including "Little Forester" - are being retro-fitted with organ-like "chuff pipes" to make them sound more like their Festiniog or Talyllyn Railway counterparts. As can be heard on the video above, these are quieter and more easy on the ear than the World Cup's vuvuzelas!




Still at work was the Morgan Locomotive Company Garrat 8 "Alan Drewett", introduced at the 2009 Open Weekend as the last of a class of oscillating cylinder 0-4-0+0-4-0s.  However, innovation is never very far away on the Leigh Valley Light Railway and a number of locomotives - including "Little Forester" - are being retro-fitted with organ-like "chuff pipes" to make them sound more like their Festiniog or Talyllyn Railway counterparts.  As can be heard on the video above, these are quieter and more easy on the ear than the World Cup's vuvuzelas!

Garratt 8 is seen below approaching the Leigh Valley light Railway's level crossing, which in 2010 featured a new wooden deck.  Also visible just to the right of the further gate is Paul Tetul Senior, founder of the Orange County Choppers company featured on TV's Discovery Channel.                                                                                                            




Garratt 8 is seen below approaching the Leigh Valley light Railway's level crossing, which in 2010 featured a new wooden deck. Also visible just to the right of the further gate is Paul Tetul Senior, founder of the Orange County Choppers company featured on TV's Discovery Channel.


While steam still reigns supreme on the Leigh Valley Light Railway, some of the most interesting vehicles to be seen at the 2010 Open Weekend were powered by batteries and represented diesels. Of these, I had the good fortune to have seen both Rob Bushill's vehicles - a metre gauge French autorail in the style of De Dion or Billard and a freelance chain driven four wheeled locomotive - in the process of being completed earlier in the year.




While steam still reigns supreme on the Leigh Valley Light Railway, some of the most interesting vehicles to be seen at the 2010 Open Weekend were powered by batteries and represented diesels.  Of these, I had the good fortune to have seen both Rob Bushill's vehicles - a metre gauge French autorail in the style of De Dion or Billard and a freelance chain driven four wheeled locomotive - in the process of being completed earlier in the year.




As can be seen from the pictures below, a radiator grille has been added to the front of the translucent plastic body and fully integrated into the faultless read and cream paintwork.  The the silver roof meanwhile has been realistically carbonised from an oxidizing hot exhaust pipe!


 As can be seen from the pictures below, a radiator grille has been added to the front of the translucent plastic body and fully integrated into the faultless read and cream paintwork. The the silver roof meanwhile has been realistically carbonised from an oxidizing hot exhaust pipe!



More extreme weathering, corrosion and dust was simulated on the chain driven four wheeler which, like the autorail, carried a diamond shaped worksplate in the manner of the North British Locomotive Company. Indeed, the likeness between the "sad eye" windows of Rob's engine and those of the D6100 and D6300 series Bo-Bos outshopped from Springburn, Glasgow was entirely deliberate too!




More extreme weathering, corrosion and dust was simulated on the chain driven four wheeler which, like the autorail, carried a diamond shaped worksplate in the manner of the North British Locomotive Company.  Indeed, the likeness between the "sad eye" windows of Rob's engine and those of the D6100 and D6300 series Bo-Bos outshopped from Springburn, Glasgow was entirely deliberate too!  

Also famous for the D600 series- and some D800 series - "Warship" diesel hydraulics, The North British Locomotive Company was formed by the amalgamation of Neilson and Company, Sharp Stewart and Alfred Dubs in 1903, bringing together the neighbouring Atlas and Hyde Park Works.  Export customers included Australia, New Zealand, Malaya and South Africa while for Britain NBL built 8F and Jubilee Classes for the LMSR and King Arthur Class for the Southern Railway.  Despite building what became the Class 84 ac electrics, NBL was never as good making diesel as steam locomotives and the company was declared bankrupt on 19 April 1962.

Much more happily, Rob's four wheeler won a very well deserved first prize for locomotive building at the 16mm Society 2010 National Show.




More extreme weathering, corrosion and dust was simulated on the chain driven four wheeler which, like the autorail, carried a diamond shaped worksplate in the manner of the North British Locomotive Company. Indeed, the likeness between the "sad eye" windows of Rob's engine and those of the D6100 and D6300 series Bo-Bos outshopped from Springburn, Glasgow was entirely deliberate too! Also famous for the D600 series- and some D800 series - "Warship" diesel hydraulics, The North British Locomotive Company was formed by the amalgamation of Neilson and Company, Sharp Stewart and Alfred Dubs in 1903, bringing together the neighbouring Atlas and Hyde Park Works. Export customers included Australia, New Zealand, Malaya and South Africa while for Britain NBL built 8F and Jubilee Classes for the LMSR and King Arthur Class for the Southern Railway. Despite building what became the Class 84 ac electrics, NBL was never as good making diesel as steam locomotives and the company was declared bankrupt on 19 April 1962.



More extreme weathering, corrosion and dust was simulated on the chain driven four wheeler which, like the autorail, carried a diamond shaped worksplate in the manner of the North British Locomotive Company. Indeed, the likeness between the "sad eye" windows of Rob's engine and those of the D6100 and D6300 series Bo-Bos outshopped from Springburn, Glasgow was entirely deliberate too! Also famous for the D600 series- and some D800 series - "Warship" diesel hydraulics, The North British Locomotive Company was formed by the amalgamation of Neilson and Company, Sharp Stewart and Alfred Dubs in 1903, bringing together the neighbouring Atlas and Hyde Park Works. Export customers included Australia, New Zealand, Malaya and South Africa while for Britain NBL built 8F and Jubilee Classes for the LMSR and King Arthur Class for the Southern Railway. Despite building what became the Class 84 ac electrics, NBL was never as good making diesel as steam locomotives and the company was declared bankrupt on 19 April 1962.

More extreme weathering, corrosion and dust was simulated on the chain driven four wheeler which, like the autorail, carried a diamond shaped worksplate in the manner of the North British Locomotive Company. Indeed, the likeness between the "sad eye" windows of Rob's engine and those of the D6100 and D6300 series Bo-Bos outshopped from Springburn, Glasgow was entirely deliberate too! Also famous for the D600 series- and some D800 series - "Warship" diesel hydraulics, The North British Locomotive Company was formed by the amalgamation of Neilson and Company, Sharp Stewart and Alfred Dubs in 1903, bringing together the neighbouring Atlas and Hyde Park Works. Export customers included Australia, New Zealand, Malaya and South Africa while for Britain NBL built 8F and Jubilee Classes for the LMSR and King Arthur Class for the Southern Railway. Despite building what became the Class 84 ac electrics, NBL was never as good making diesel as steam locomotives and the company was declared bankrupt on 19 April 1962.



Proving that internal combustion came as easily to him as steam locomotive construction, Malcolm Morgan also delighted the crowds with his green Bo-Bo - reminiscent of many narrow gauge lines in South America.


 Proving that internal combustion came as easily to him as steam locomotive construction, Malcolm Morgan also delighted the crowds with his green Bo-Bo - reminiscent of many narrow gauge lines in South America.                                      



Proving that internal combustion came as easily to him as steam locomotive construction, Malcolm Morgan also delighted the crowds with his green Bo-Bo - reminiscent of many narrow gauge lines in South America.


Proving that internal combustion came as easily to him as steam locomotive construction, Malcolm Morgan also delighted the crowds with his green Bo-Bo - reminiscent of many narrow gauge lines in South America.


Proving that internal combustion came as easily to him as steam locomotive construction, Malcolm Morgan also delighted the crowds with his green Bo-Bo - reminiscent of many narrow gauge lines in South America.


Having mentioned the Southern Railway's King Arthurs and their association with The North British Locomotive Company, the name "Camelot" was applied to Eastleigh built 30742, British Standard Class 5 4-6-0 73082 - and this jackshaft driven 0-6-0 based on the Festiniog Railway's Criccieth Castle which was built at Boston Lodge from parts supplied by Baguley—Drewry and entered service in 1995.  The model is also the first diesel outline offered by Roundhouse.

The outside framed chassis is powered by a Buhler motor and precision made steel and bronze gear set with full radio control for both speed, direction and, in this case, sound. Power is supplied by 8 rechargeable NiMh batteries, complete with fast charger for in-situ charging. Other features include directional head lights and colour side lights,  gauge adjustable between 32mm and 45mm gauge, insulated wheels for operation on railways utilizing track power, and fully glazed windows and removable roof to access detailed interior.


Ernest E. Baguley was born in 1863 and served his apprenticeship with R& W Hawthorne Leslie, initially at their Tyneside shipyard and later at their Forth Bank, Newcastle, locomotive works. In 1890 he moved to Stafford and became Chief Draughtsman for W. G. Bagnall Limited, where he invented the Baguley valve gear for steam locomotives.


Ernest E. Baguley was born in 1863 and served his apprenticeship with R& W Hawthorne Leslie, initially at their Tyneside shipyard and later at their Forth Bank, Newcastle, locomotive works. In 1890 he moved to Stafford and became Chief Draughtsman for W. G. Bagnall Limited, where he invented the Baguley valve gear for steam locomotives.

Ernest Baguley then became interested in motor vehicles and, in 1901, he joined the Ryknield Engine Co Ltd of Burton on Trent.  This company failed in 1905 and Baguley became Manager of its successor, the Ryknield Motor Company before moving to Birmingham as Manager of the newly-formed Motor Division of the Birmingham Small Arms Company in 1907.

In 1911 he set up Baguley Cars Ltd which took over the assets of the by-then defunct Ryknield Motor Company at Shobnall Road Works, Burton on Trent. An agreement was drawn up with the Drewery Car Company and Baguley began manufacturing railcars for Drewry from 1912. In 1913 Baguley Cars Ltd bought the firm of McEwan, Pratt & Co Ltd - which was in liquidation - and thereby acquired some important orders for petrol locomotives.

Baguley served in the Territorial Army and became Second-in-Command, 6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, gaining the rank of Major. During World War I he served in France from 1914 to 1915 while Baguley Cars Ltd supplied (under the McEwan, Pratt name) a number of 10hp petrol / paraffin locomotives to the War Department Light Railways.

Having started with internal combustion, Baguley did not build their first steam railway engine until 1920 and this locomotive had been destined to be a petrol hydraulic.  However, as the transmission components were held up by the hostilities, it was converted to a steam and became the first of 31 Baguley steam locos.  Of these, only "Rishra" , Works number 2007 of 1921 survives today.

After 1918 a decline in the production of road vehicles  and an increase in the production of railway equipment led Baguley Cars Ltd to change its name to Baguley (Engineers) Ltd on 10 April 1923.  However, during the 1920s Drewry complained that Baguley was failing to produce more modern designs of engine and chassis and began to move their business to the English Electric Company.  

Baguley (Engineers) Ltd then declined and entered liquidation in 1931 with most of the plant and effects - including Major Baguley's own Baguley car - being sold at auction on 10 November  However, with his friends the Souster and Souster  brothers, Major Baguley set up a small repair business for Baguley products at Clarence Street, Burton-on-Trent. A new company, E. E. Baguley Ltd, was registered on 30 April 1932 and was soon building locomotives again. In 1934 E. E. Baguley Ltd moved to larger premises at Uxbridge Street, Burton-on-Trent and later became Baguley-Drewry Ltd.  Ernest Baguley retired in 1946 and died on 14 November 1948.


Having mentioned the Southern Railway's King Arthurs and their association with The North British Locomotive Company, the name "Camelot" was applied to Eastleigh built 30742, British Standard Class 5 4-6-0 73082 - and this jackshaft driven 0-6-0 based on the Festiniog Railway's Criccieth Castle which was built at Boston Lodge from parts supplied by Baguley—Drewry and entered service in 1995. The model is also the first diesel outline offered by Roundhouse.


Baguley (Engineers) Ltd then declined and entered liquidation in 1931 with most of the plant and effects - including Major Baguley's own Baguley car - being sold at auction on 10 November However, with his friends the Souster and Souster brothers, Major Baguley set up a small repair business for Baguley products at Clarence Street, Burton-on-Trent. A new company, E. E. Baguley Ltd, was registered on 30 April 1932 and was soon building locomotives again. In 1934 E. E. Baguley Ltd moved to larger premises at Uxbridge Street, Burton-on-Trent and later became Baguley-Drewry Ltd. Ernest Baguley retired in 1946 and died on 14 November 1948.


Baguley (Engineers) Ltd then declined and entered liquidation in 1931 with most of the plant and effects - including Major Baguley's own Baguley car - being sold at auction on 10 November However, with his friends the Souster and Souster brothers, Major Baguley set up a small repair business for Baguley products at Clarence Street, Burton-on-Trent. A new company, E. E. Baguley Ltd, was registered on 30 April 1932 and was soon building locomotives again. In 1934 E. E. Baguley Ltd moved to larger premises at Uxbridge Street, Burton-on-Trent and later became Baguley-Drewry Ltd. Ernest Baguley retired in 1946 and died on 14 November 1948.


In keeping with the wide range of motive power, the Leigh Valley Light Railway Open Weekend always offers a varied range of rolling stock and scenic features including this limited edition narrow gauge dining car available through the well known transport publishing house Atlantic.



In keeping with the wide range of motive power, the Leigh Valley Light Railway Open Weekend always offers a varied range of rolling stock and scenic features including this limited edition narrow gauge dining car available through the well known transport publishing house Atlantic.



In keeping with the wide range of motive power, the Leigh Valley Light Railway Open Weekend always offers a varied range of rolling stock and scenic features including this limited edition narrow gauge dining car available through the well known transport publishing house Atlantic.


 

I also liked the close proximity of the colliery and the Church, with its dark wooden lych-gate. Had it not been for the need to mine coal at ever deeper levels there would have been no stationary atmospheric engines, and from there no Watt, Trevithick, Stephensons or Brunels. Likewise without Werner Siemens, Rudolf Diesel and Frank Julian Sprague there would not be the diesel and electric trans that we enjoy today and standing on the shoulders of those giants were Marconi, Logie-Baird, Berners-Lee and Enrico Fermi.




I also liked the close proximity of the colliery and the Church, with its dark wooden lych-gate. Had it not been for the need to mine coal at ever deeper levels there would have been no stationary  atmospheric engines, and from there no Watt, Trevithick, Stephensons or Brunels. Likewise without Werner Siemens, Rudolf Diesel and Frank Julian Sprague there would not be the diesel and electric trans that we enjoy today and standing on the shoulders of those giants were Marconi, Logie-Baird, Berners-Lee and Enrico Fermi.  

But where do we go from here?  "Is it down to the lake I fear?" postulated Haircut 100, not that there was anything scary about the LVLR's water feature!  More eloquent perhaps was Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot who in The Mystery of the Blue Train in 1928 said:

"Life is like a train Mademoiselle. It goes on. And it is a good thing that that is so."
"Why?"
"Because the train gets to its journey's end at last, and there is a proverb about that in your language, Mademoiselle."
"'Journeys end in lovers meeting'" Lenox laughed. "That is not going to be true for me."
"Yes - yes, it is true. You are young, younger than you yourself know. Trust the train Mademoiselle, for it is le bon Dieu who drives it."


I also liked the close proximity of the colliery and the Church, with its dark wooden lych-gate. Had it not been for the need to mine coal at ever deeper levels there would have been no stationary atmospheric engines, and from there no Watt, Trevithick, Stephensons or Brunels. Likewise without Werner Siemens, Rudolf Diesel and Frank Julian Sprague there would not be the diesel and electric trans that we enjoy today and standing on the shoulders of those giants were Marconi, Logie-Baird, Berners-Lee and Enrico Fermi.