Taking a leaf out of the Welsh Highland Railways book, PTLRcecil decided to try hosting a loco trial on the PTLR. There were two categories, Mamods and Allcomers (ie everthing else). The rules were simple (although some members still struggled), complete two laps with a train length of your choice. If your engine stopped, you had 60 seconds for the engine to restart without assistance, otherwise the loco had to start again.
First out were the mamods. Half of them confounded the critics by actually managing a decent run!!!
A line up of mamods on PTLR shed, some of them attempted a run whilst others were out for photos
First up was "Black Beauty", PTLRcecils self proclaimed "worlds most powerfull mamod". After managing to beat its own 21 wagon record, it attempted and failed 25 wagons before finally managing a creditable 23 wagons, breaking its own record in the process. It did however stop for a blow up, which lasted 59 seconds before it somehow restarted with 1 second to spare!!!
Next out was PTLRsams mamod "Mel", however this one was a duff one! After failing 7, 4 and even 4 wagons, Sam got desperate and sent it round with a solitary wagon......loaded with a plastic cow
This it managed just about which did mean it finished in front of the next challenger. This was SLRmidge's "Compton Down number 8" which unfortunatly behaved to all the mamod stereotypes. Yep, it failed to even move itself!!! I should say that I believe there was a problem with the gas system though, for the fire kept on going out, and the gas duration was very short as well.So it came down to the final challenger.....
This is LMSjools Jane/Mamod hybrid "Sir Luke". The chassis is mamod though, so this made it legal for the competition. This put in an astounding performance, after breaking the mamod haulege record with a 25 wagon run, it then failed narrowly on 30 wagons. A fantastic last run with 28 wagons however smashed all previous records, and gave the title to a delighted LMS jools.
Seriously how many mamods have you seen hauling a train half this length?
Jools recieves his cup
Next up was the allcomers trial. I was out first with my Accucraft Superior
This succesfully hauled a 20 wagon train, however repeatedly runs with 42 wagon trains were thawted by wagons derailing. One time it got within 20 feet of the finish line, only for the train to derail again. A final attempt was stopped by the loco slipping to a stand on rails that were now greasy, leaving me very annoyed and in second from bottom posistion. A later run succesfully completed with 35 wagons was not counted
SLRpedro's Willi managed 24 wagons easily, and he was happy to leave it at that
SLRmidge then tried to run his Lady Anne "Guillimot", unfortunatly a second gas system failure for a midge engine meant it was sent to the workshops!!! It did manage a run later on, and finished in 3rd place.
Next out was the favorite, and there were to be no suprises as PTLRsam's Locobox garratt simply walked away with the title! It hustled round 43 wagons, an attempt with 47 wagons sounded brilliant but unfortunatly the loco ran out of steam.
PTLRcecil then ran his Accucraft Superior "King Arthur", this was expected to run the garratt close, but it really wasn't the day for Superiors, as this run also suffered problems. The gas ran out just short of home on his last run, leaving him with 4th place after an earlier run with 30 wagons.
Now, stand by and be amazed doubters of Merlin locos, for the loco that finished in 2nd place was LMSjool's Merlin Sierra Leone 85 "David William"!
It succesfully hauled 40 wagons, although repeated attempts to haul more proved unsuccesfull, and proved that the loco must have been working right on its haulege limit.
The last competitor was a complete farce, for it was SLRmidges ridicolous railcar "Bluebottle"!!! It managed about half a lap before expiring, and finished last. It was then towed away by Cecil's Lyn to be scrapped
PTLRsam recieves his cup
Black Combe goes on a lap of honour.
Many thanks to all at the PTLR for great, and very different steamup. I hope I've made a decent report of the events, although if any member with all the stats realises I've made an error, please do post a correction. I should say that most of the wagons in the allcomers train was loaded with stones!
