Brief Overview
For 2010, IMLEC returned to Bournemouth, but it was all change since it last hosted IMLEC in 1986. The societies former site was now part of AFC Bournemouth football ground, the society moving to a site in Littledown Park on the outskirts of the town. The track is of concrete beam construction on galvanised steel piers set in concrete, rail is steel on recycled plastic sleepers with the passenger cars running on 7 1/4 in. gauge. The curves are 57ft radius with super elevation and having entered IMLEC when it was held here in 2014, I can attest that the ride is one of the smoothest of any tracks I have driven on.
The winner this year was a former champion coming up victorious again. Run No.5, Steve Eaton with his 5 in. gauge Britannia "Rough Diamond", improving his efficiency score from his previous victory (Llanelli 2007) from 2.259% to 2.53%. Mick Baker offers some more details of the winning run:
"Run 5. Steve Eaton, representing the Chesterfield & District MES brought his magnificent black Britannia, Rough Diamond. Based on the popular design by James Perrier, this Pacific was started in the 1970s by Steve's father and completed by Steve. He is no stranger to IMLEC having won the prize for best 3½in. gauge locomotive two times, was placed second in 2005 and finally won IMLEC
with 'Rough Diamond' at Llanelli in 2007. The locomotive has a larger combustion chamber than called for on the original design and some weight has been added to improve adhesion. Taking a load of 16 passengers, plus driver and observer, the locomotive made a clean start, with assistance and some slipping was noticed on the first curve but, once into its stride, nine laps were completed, at a very consistent average speed of just under 7mph. The long climb of the top curve seemed to pose no
problems, slight slipping from time to time with some steam escaping from the safety valves although a few seconds were lost on lap seven when the drain cocks were seen to be open. The run was completed non-stop in fine style, an excellent run. The work done was somewhat less than the previous run but having used only 1lb 4oz of coal, Rough Diamond was at the top of the leader board, a position in which it remained for the rest of the competition."
Interesting Facts
Ben and Paul Pavier became the first Father and Son to have won Best 3 1/2 in. gauge locomotive. Ben taking victory with his "Maisie" after father Paul had won in 1994 with his "Bantam Cock".
This marked only the second time Lionel Flippance's BR Proposed 2-8-2 "George Eveniss" had been beaten in competition. The first being 2004 by Glyn Winsall's Thompson O1. Previously it had won the competition 4 times and the Previous Winners twice.