2008

IMLEC 2008 was hosted for the first time by Southport MEC. 28 competitors made the trip to the seaside resort, 4 of which were 3 1/2 in/ gauge locomotives. One factor which cannot be controlled is the weather, and torrential rain did play its part this year. Casualties included the official timing clock, the scales for weighing coal and of course, the competitors unlucky enough to be caught in the almighty downpours. I vividly remember watching John Hurley's run from underneath a well-placed gazebo, you could barely see the train through the rain!

Steve Eaton was back with his Britannia "Rough Diamond" to defend the title he'd won at Llanelli a year earlier, unfortunately Steve, in his own words "cut it a bit fine" and was forced to retire. That meant the winner this time out was Brian Remnant from Romney Marsh, with the first narrow gauge locomotive to win IMLEC, his modified Sweet Pea "Lady Margret". Roger Bunce and Michael Jones give us some more details:

"Brian Remnant (run No.9) Brian was driving his much modified 5in. gauge Sweet Pea, Lady Margaret, weighing in at 240lbs. Brian wanted 19 passengers but could only get 11. A few yards out of the station, traction was lost and sand was quickly applied to the track. This did the trick and the train moved off. At the dreaded 'upper hairpin', the train came to a halt - the rain was torrential! This was definitely the wettest run so far. Asked how he got on, Brian said, "This was the worst run of my life. On a good day she can pull away with 20 on and no slip - but not today..." Despite this, Brian won!"