1997

For the first time in the history of IMLEC, the competition ventured outside England to the south coast of Wales and Llanelli & District Society of Model Engineers track in Pembrey Country Park. The top two from the previous years competition were back to battle it out, Alan Crossfield with his Manor and Les Pritchard at the regulator of Anthony Baker's B1. Although they both put on a show and end up finishing line astern, it was down in 7th (Alan Crossfield) and 8th (Les Pritchard). Len Steel took the title with his Britannia "Coeur-de-lion", built by Lionel Flippance, who entered it in the 1985 and 1986 IMLEC competitions. Ted Joliffe describes Len's winning run:

"Run No.17: Len Steel, owner of this 5in. Britannia, Coeur de Lion, made no secret of the fact that he had purchased the engine in 1989 when it was already some 6 years old and had covered many miles. After clocking up even more miles, he decided on a comprehensive overhaul and introduced several modifications to improve the engine. The pistons and cylinders received a thorough going over as did the valves, which were fitted with new bobbins. All the motion work was checked and rebushed and, with the
engine this far stripped, the opportunity was taken to remove the original wheel treads and fit
steel tyres. Having experienced problems with holes in the fire, Len decided to fit a brick arch which, he reports, transformed the engine's performance. Len had repainted the engine which was turned out in almost concours condition, gleaming in the still heavy rain.

A member of three clubs, Guildford, Staines and S.T.E.A.M. (Steam Traction Enthusiasts and Modellers) Len chose to represent the latter and set off with a load of 14, quite heavy in the prevailing conditions. A slip-free start and careful acceleration took him onto the bank which was traversed with ease. On a curve on the downhill section Len managed to derail the tender by fouling it with his knee. Speedily re-railed, after that one incident he continued with a brisk, trouble free run, recording the second highest average speed of the competition. Later Len put his avoidance of slipping down to the steel tyres, which he felt gave him that little extra margin of grip."