The 2008 Narrow Gauge Efficiency Competition was hosted over the weekend of 15-16 June 2008 by the Rochdale Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. The pictures in order show
Table of results. The host club was unable to use a dynamometer car because of their track configuration, so the performances were estimated by calculating the pounds of coal used per ton-mile carried.
2 FAJ Colin of the host club prepares his diminutive ‘Alva’. Alva usually does remarkably well for its size and this year was no exception. FAJ came in at 6th place overall.
3 Brian Remnant from Romney was there as ever with his equally remarkable Sweet Pea variant. A past winner, Brian was knocked into second place this year by Neil Mortimer and his Polly 3.
4 Marcus Peel drives his unusually large-tanked Sweet Pea down form the outback to finish in 9th place. Should be enough water in there for the whole run!
5 Neil Mortimer’s Polly 3 hauls its improbably long train of slate wagons round the east loop back towards the tunnel. Seeing is believing though, and the engine’s capable handing of the heavy train put Neil in pole position to finish with best overall result.
6 The Sentinel-engined Hudswell Clarke was there as ever, Mike Barnet driving, to finish in a creditable 4th place.
7 Marcus Peel of Southport examines his haul for the day: not one trophy but two: one for the Polly as best of non-previous-winners and one for the Conway as best 3½” gauge engine.
8 Neil Mortimer collects the overall winner’s shield from Northern Association boiler registrar Alan Reid. Neil’s engine achieved a performance figure of 1.5393 lbs of coal per ton-mile against an average figure for the event of 3.33: not a bad showing at all! Without knowing the calorific value of the coal we can’t work out the thermal efficiency in the normal way, but it must have been pretty good. Perhaps we’ll see him in the next IMLEC?
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