North London 2024

By Les Brimson and Owen Chapman who are members of the North London Society of Model Engineers

Photos by Owen Chapman, Les Brimson, and Jonathon Avery who are also members of the of North London Society of Model Engineers

LittleLEC is the locomotive efficiency driving competition for small locomotives weighing 50lbs or under, devised by the late Peter Langridge who was a member of the Guildford Model Engineering Society as a companion to the larger IMLEC competitions. LittleLEC spot-lights those small designs that were once the introduction to the hobby for many but now eclipsed by larger models capable of greater distances and speed. Locomotives are run around a track completing as many laps as possible within 20 minutes, the amount of coal used is recorded and efficiency calculated from this coupled with the weight of the engine, trailing load, track gradients and distance. The locomotive driven the most efficiently being the winner.

The North London SME’s track at Colney Heath was the venue for 2024, the club having hosted the event previously in 2011 and prior to extending their track to 2,941 feet (0.54 miles), plus adding an additional gradient. To avoid starting on the ruling up gradient at their steaming bays, the club set up a temporary steaming bay at the station allowing the runs to commence on a down gradient.

Saturday 8th June, was a colder, mostly overcast day than expected for June and saw a cohort of members ready to officiate as the competitors arrived for a 10 o’clock call. Coal was sieved and weighed into 250 gram amounts and stored in containers for competitors’ use. Charcoal, water and temporary steam raising facilities were arranged at the raised track station with the run timer prominently set up beside a full sized Semaphore starting signal. A laptop and all the necessary paperwork were setup under the station canopy. All competitors this year were 3½ inch gauge locos, the longer main line being chosen in preference to the club’s much shorter “Cuckoo Line”, thus precluding 2½ inch gauge entries.

Mike Foreman and Rob Roy on the first run of the 2024 LittleLEC

Run No. 1 The dubious pleasure of having the first run fell to host club’s Honourable Treasurer, Mike Foreman with his well-travelled Rob Roy with no additional passengers or weight commencing at 10.38am.

The engine was not so happy with the early start suffering lubricator problems and eventually needing a blow up on the extension embankment during the second lap after which Mike called time after 21 minutes. Mike did 2 laps, and used 352gms of coal. He achieved an efficiency of 0.091%

Sean Pritchard on his first run with Mona

Run No. 2 Next to run was Sean Pritchard with his grandfather Les’s smart SECR green Mona. After a bit of head scratching over a leaking gauge glass blowdown valve, the run was begun with grandfather Les as passenger offering constant encouragement.

A cautious first lap was made, with the climb to the bridge taken slowly but a faster second lap was made after taking an additional pot of coal as insurance. The run was ended after 19 minutes. Sean completed 2 laps and used 290gms of coal. He achieved an efficiency of 0.218%.

Peter Wardropper passing the tunnel entrance on the return leg

Run No. 3 The Third competitor of the day was Peter Wardropper of SMEE with his very smart Royal Caledonian blue Rob Roy. With host club member Bryan Luxford as passenger, Peter picked up the pace with a bold and confident run at a much faster pace.

Completing four laps in 21 minutes and doubling the average speed whilst demonstrating the art of deftly refilling the side tanks on the move without the aid of a funnel or tube and raising the collective excitement. Peter used 375gms of coal during his four laps, and achieved an efficiency of 0.305%.

Jumbo going well before the crank pin came out

Run No. 4 Next on the track were John and Jack Shawe from the host club with their old LNWR Jumbo 2-4-0, similar to LBSC’s Mabel or Sister Dora designs though with slip eccentric valve gear. With tender it weighed in just under the competition weight limit. The day’s run began well with John driving and Jack as passenger. A blisteringly fast run began for the old engine, running for the first time in a great many years. Sadly, the right side leading crank pin came loose, the connecting rod dropping to and colliding with the sleepers until the engine came to a stop ending the run.

The engine was recovered to main steaming bays for attention where under close inspection a hairline crack in the wheel boss revealed root cause of the problem. (The crank pin was later found by the track repair team the following day)

Stephen Harrison’s first run

Run No. 5 Saturday’s fifth competitor was Stephen Harrison from Birmingham SME with his teal green Rob Roy.

Opting to take 35.4kg of ballast weight instead of a passenger this engine set off on a fast run, going fast for three laps. However, when attempting a fourth the grate worked free of its supports, partially dropping into the ash pan and naturally making the fire difficult to maintain. The engine slowed and stopped opposite the station. Stephen attempted to rescue the fire but retired after a short while, as all did for lunch provided by the host club.

Sean on his second run

Run No. 6 Mike Foreman, being the only competitor available for both days, elected to have his second run on Sunday so Sean Pritchard and Mona were the first run of Saturday afternoon with companionship provided by his grandfather Les as before. With the pace now set and experience gained from the earlier run this was one was very confident; four laps of the track were managed in 20 minutes without fuss with extra supplies taken during the run.

Sean used 336gms of coal for his four laps and achieved an efficiency of 0.376%.

Peter and Rob Roy going well

Run No.7 Peter Wardropper, having raised the pace with Rob Roy earlier in the day, hopes were high for a record number of laps of the track.

Even with the sun coming out from between the clouds and despite the engine appearing to running faultlessly, the speed dropped significantly during the fourth lap and the engine crossing the timing point just the wrong side of 25 minutes and so under the competition rules was retired.

Jumbo running as a 2-2-2

Run No. 8 Mood was good however as John Shawe resolved to run Jumbo again, but this time as a 2-2-2 with the left-hand side coupling rod removed, to balance the one missing from the right-hand side.

With Jack again as passenger the engine struggled for adhesion during the first part of the run. So it was that Jack dismounted alongside the station leaving John to carry on alone but at a better pace. Now back in the running and without further incident three laps were completed in 19 minutes. John used 304gms of coal with a resulting efficiency of 0.173%.

Stephen and his Rob Roy on their second run

Run No. 9 The final run of the first day was by Stephen Harrison and his Rob Roy. Once again choosing to carry ballast weights instead of a passenger. Three more laps were completed at an almost identical pace to the morning effort but without the earlier problems.

As with all runs the unused coal was gathered and weighed to calculate the amount used and the results recorded into the calculation spreadsheet to await comparison with the following days results. Stephen used 288gms of coal giving him an efficiency of 0.259%

William Powell’s first run with “Jessica”

Run No. 10 First run on the second day, Sunday, was by William Powell from Bournemouth SME who brought two locomotives to the competition. A freelance 0-6-0 “Jessica” (the Purple One) and a Mona. Opting to run Jessica first and after careful preparation William elected to carry an additional weight (a 17.9kg concrete block) and set off at a steady pace which he maintained achieving two 10-minute laps.

William used 174gms of coal for his two laps, achieving an efficiency of 0.283%.

Anne Brimson with Juliet on her first run

Run No. 11 Sunday’s second run was guest driver Anne Brimson, wife of host club member James, with a 49-year-old Juliet 2. Anne had never previously driven the Juliet and only on one occasion previously had driven any steam locomotive, a Marie E, on the club’s short and nearly flat “Cuckoo Line”. A one lap training session with Juliet on the Saturday evening was the extent of prior experience she brought to the event, which was however unmatched by her willingness to have a go.

Electing to take husband as ballast Anne managed to complete one lap within the allotted time including stops for a blow up prior to tackling two of the three inclines on the track. Anne used 218gms of coal and achieved an efficiency of 0.129%

William Powell with his Mona’s first run

Run No. 12 Next and third run of the day was William Powell with Mona. William has a careful preparation routine maximizing use of charcoal until last minute and ensuring cylinders are warmed before commencing run.

Electing to pull a second truck with host club member Bryan Luxford on board, William completed the first two laps within 13 minutes continuing for a third lap which he easily completed in another 5 minutes. 354gms of coal had been used, giving William an efficiency of 0.323%

Anne’s second run with Juliet, confidently going solo this time

Run No. 13 Following lunch break, Anne Brimson took to the track again. James prepared Juliet for the run but this time Anne felt confident enough to go solo and left James behind.

Setting off with the lighter load she sped up the first bank, completed a circuit non-stop and passed back through the start point at decent speed to encouraging cheers from those watching. Second lap was a bit slower but overall, her run was within the time allowed and whilst gauge glass was quarter full and with decent fire she decided against a third lap. The competition results show that her run was the least efficient but her achievement, as a novice driver, was arguably the greater. Anne used 334gms of coal resulting in an efficiency of 0.089%.

William’s second run with Jessica

Run No. 14 William Powell with his second run with Jessica.

As before William took an additional weight and as before completed three laps, this time in 18 minutes and resisted the temptation to go for a fourth. Nonetheless he had done enough as can be seen from the table to finish second. 126gms of coal were consumed, resulting in an efficiency of 0.391%.

Mike Foreman struggling with his Rob Roy

Run No.15 Mike Foreman took to the track with his Rob Roy which normally flies round the NLSME track with passengers on board. In recent weeks the loco has been struggling with timing as also reflected in the first run on Saturday. His second run proved equally uncharacteristic by its slow pace. After one lap with further poor steaming Mike decided to retire.

William Powell and Mona on the final run of the event

Run No. 16 Last run of the event was William Powell with his second run with Mona. Again, taking a second truck with Bryan Luxford as passenger.

William put in a great run completing four laps in 20 minutes. The run involved some slick handling by the pit crew passing coal and water as he sped through the station. He used 383gms of coal on his four laps with an efficiency of 0.398%.

The Results

The final run placed William Powell triumphantly at the top of the leader board, taking first place with his Mona, 0.398% efficiency and second place with Jessica, at 0.391% efficiency. Very closely behind, Sean Pritchard also with a Mona was awarded third place for his 0.376% efficiency. A first and third place for a Mona is surely a testament to the soundness of this compact design from Curly Lawrence, (LBSC).

The Leader Board table gives all the results and can be downloaded below.

LittleLEC 2024 Leader Board.pdf

The running of this event this year is to be savoured bringing out the essence of model engineering where a group of like-minded people were able to pleasurably gather together and share their common interest though not without drama, away from the drama of the ever-adding concerns of modern life.

Please see all pictures from the weekend here:

Postscript from Bryan Finch, LittleLEC Co-ordinator

The coordinators of the LittleLEC (now under the stewardship of Guildford MES) wish to express their thanks to Martin Cooper, Owen Chapman, Les Brimson and the team at North London SME for hosting this year’s LittleLEC, and also to all the competitors without whom there would be no competition. Thanks is also expressed to Model Engineer magazine for it continuing support to LittleLEC.

The host for next year’s LittleLEC is subject to confirmation and details will be advised as soon as possible. Full details will be published early in the new year.

For more details about the LittleLEC competitions, its concept, guidelines, efficiency calculations, and past runners and results, please take a look at the LittleLEC website https://www.littlelec.co.uk

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