1987

For 1987 IMLEC returned to where it all began - Birmingham. The site was looking a little different this time as landscaping had been added and a 7 1/4 in. gauge railway laid around the site The raised track was related, replacing the aluminium rail with steel bar. The weather was brilliant, Saturday hot and a tad humid, Sunday was hotter still.

It was anticipated to be a two horse race this year, could Alan Crossfield make it 3 IMLEC titles in a row? Or would last years runner up Kelvin Moonie take home the crown? In the end, Kelvin ran out the victory with an efficiency of 2.290% with his LSWR Jubilee Class. Laurie Lawrence tells us more:

"Kelvin Moonie's Adams L.S.W.R. Jubilee class came second last year and, no doubt having studied the track plan, he decided to take a much heavier load on this easy graded track. There had been no alterations to the engine and he set off with driver, observer and 10 passengers. As expected, the start was impeccable and speed increased steadily until the train was lapping consistently at nearly 9 m.p.h. Kelvin fired little and not too often! And, after seeing my confidence was not misplaced, I ambled away for a cup of tea. Cup in hand, I watched the remorseless progress of this hefty load, hefty that is for a four coupled locomotive of modest dimensions and I felt sure there would be some difficulty by subsequent challengers in bettering the performance. Indeed, when the result went on the scoreboard, the Jubilee was well out in front by a considerable margin."