2005

IMLEC was back at Northampton for 2005, the society had hosted the competition before in 1996 and 1999. The host society used their own dynamometer car, with the competitor sitting on a riding truck in front of the dynamometer car. I can see pros and cons to this set up. The driver cannot possibly create "false" drawbar pull by pushing on the loco or tender, however, it is a detriment to the small locomotives, because they have to pull a truck and a person around for no drawbar pull! The idea has not been used since.

The victor for 2005 was Ballan Baker with his LNER K1/1. Malcolm Stride offers more details:

"This LNER K1/1 2-6-0 named "MacCailin Mor" was completed in May 2004 after 15 years in the building. It is based on the Don Young drawings but with modifications designed by Ballan from photos and other sources. It has three superheater flues with double return radiant elements in each. The blast pipe is adjustable whilst running.
Ballan, a member of the Lindsey Model Society and the GL5 Association, likes running on ground level tracks. He entered the last IMLEC at Northampton in 1999 with his LNER Y4 0-4-0 and achieved 3rd place. Ballan had a good smooth start and toured steadily until derailing just short of the tunnel. He recovered quickly and set off again before slowing into the station after 20 minutes before recovering again to complete a good run.
The run gained Ballan a well earned first place the Martin Evans Challenge Trophy and the Newton-Tesla award for the most efficient locomotive. His comment afterwards was that he "made a mess half way through but got it back". I suspect many of the other drivers would have been delighted with such a mess! His overall efficiency figure was 2.0105%."