2006

IMLEC 2006 was held at Fareham & District SME for the first time. The weather was brilliant, over 30C all weekend and 24 competitors all took to the track to try and claim the coveted Martin Evans Challenge Trophy. But it was an old hand, a two-time champion and master of the regulator that came out on top.

Les Pritchard took the honours driving his L&Y Class A. David Carpenter and Neil Read describe the winning run:

"Les was off quickly on his run, a bit too quickly for the observer who commanded "slow down!" as Les approached a 5mph speed limit sign for a tight bend a bit too fast. Les took the hint, but continued at a legal quick pace for the rest of his run with five passengers and his assertive observer. At the time, there did not seem much else to report. However, when the result of the run went up on the scoreboard by the clubhouse, Les had gone into first place. He stayed there. The 'A' class 'Aspinall is to the Don Young design, and took ten years to build, being completed in 1990. It has Don's favourite Joy valve gear, slide valves and a working boiler pressure of 100psi. This locomotive is not just a good 'doer'. It has also won a Silver Medal at the Model Engineer Exhibition. This 0-6-0 tender locomotive makes a quite small, but very attractive model in its black livery. Les has won IMLEC twice before, driving a 'Rebuilt Royal Scot', in the 1980s. So his winning performance, this year on a track that tests driver as much as locomotive, came as no surprise, even against larger more powerful competitors."