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'What
A Day' By
Society Member Barry Loraine
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It
was with some trepidation that I and the family set off for Birchley on 22nd
August for the 2009 TMNR Society Day. How many TMNR locos would turn up and
what about the poor weather forecast? But as we arrived and parked up the
sun was shining brightly.
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But where was everyone? Birchley seemed
deserted. As we walked down the driveway we suddenly heard the unmistakable
drone of a diesel engine. As we all looked round Aidan Favell’s Hymek came
into sight as it climbed up the bank from the branch line and levelled off
where the track passes the house but where was everyone else?
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All seemed eerily quiet as we walked down to
the station at the far end of the garden. No TMNR’s, just Drummond Randall about to set off for another run.
Suddenly from behind, the unmistakably excited
voice of Mike Slatter shouted “Barry” as he and George Coles rounded the
bend into the station platform, and what a train they were piloting. The
front pair of TMNR loco’s were those of George Coles followed by his toast
rack converted to seat two rather than the original three which makes it far
more suitable for adults to ride in. Coupled up behind were Mike’s two |
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loco’s adding a bit of grunt to help with the steeper gradients. In truth
only one of each pair of locos were operating under power but nevertheless
they made a fine sight as the train pulled in beside the platform. On
display beside the station was a the TMNR coal truck
chassis which one has to wonder how such a thing survived. |
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Soon the station was buzzing as more trains
found their way back through the station. Drummond had arranged a fine
turnout to support the TMNR’s. I enjoyed several trips behind Dunalastair,
Drummond’s Caledonian 4-4-0, expertly driven by Aidan Favell’s daughter
Katie who was clearly enjoying the sound and performance of this fine
engine. Particularly fitting in this landscape were the two Terriers
Crowborough and Brighton which were very much at home being as they were
only a couple of fields away from the Kent & East Sussex Railway.
Often overlooked but in itself a very fine model is the diesel shunter No. 1831 which in full size was the first experimental diesel
shunter built/rebuilt for the LMS in 1931 at the Derby works from a 1377
class steam locomotive. Last but by no means least was my favourite, apart
from the TMNR’s of course, Aidan Favell’s fine diesel engine Hymek.
Aidan has done a particularly fine job of
getting the proportions just right and this loco
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makes an imposing sight as it glides
effortlessly around. Before I
had any chance to protest (would I?) Aidan had shoehorned me into the
drivers seat and we were off for a circuit just before he had to pack up for
the day. The best compliment I can pay to this fine machine is ‘I love it
and I want one’. Many thanks Aiden.
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We often overlook those that put in much hard
work in the background of such an enjoyable day but nobody could overlook
the fine lunch supplied by Jennifer Randall which we all enjoyed whilst the
steam locos simmered in the background. Many thanks Jennifer!
The day ended with another run of the TMNR
quad-headed train and I was very pleased to take up Mike’s offer of a drive
back to the station from the branch line turntable. George and Mike’s locos
were turned out impeccably and performed equally well with a surprising turn
of speed. Not having seen a toastrack before I was most interested in how it
would run with a 12 stone (alright dear, 15 stone!) adult on
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board but I need not have worried. It performed
as well as it looked and was very stable and a credit to George Coles.
Interestingly I was most impressed with the stability and ride comfort of
Drummonds rolling stock and it then dawned on me that it was all running on
ex-TMNR bogies. This is some testament to the
build quality of the original Triang stock and for my money performs better
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that many of the modern passenger carriages
I’ve experienced at other railways.
So all in all a fantastic day and
I was very sorry to see it end. To quote Mike Slatter “I have to say, I
think this years event out done last years, which was a tall order. I
personally felt that there was a totally different atmosphere to this year,
far more relaxed”. So there you have it, what more can I say than those that
couldn’t make it should make every effort to attend the next TMNR Day
wherever that may be because I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Lets try
and get a few more TMNR’s out into the wild next time.
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In ending I must thank Drummond & Jennifer
Randall, Aidan & Katie Favell and of course Mike and Becki for making it all
possible.
Until the next time…Happy TMNRing!
Review also featured on Barry Loraine's
website:
www.5inchrail.com |
