2024

IMLEC returned to Southport for 2024, having hosted the competition twice before (2008 & 2017), they were sure to put on a great event. The competition was spread across three days, covering 34 entrants, a joint record for the most in the competitions 55 year history.

The winning run would be Steve Eaton with his Black Five. Steve is a seasoned competitor and is a 3 time winner of IMLEC and a 3 time winner of best 3 1/2" locomotive, so he knows a thing or two about IMLEC. I was lucky enough to be a passenger on this run, Steve started the train of 3 passengers trucks away with ease, he had opted for a load of 9 passengers + himself and the observer. From the back of the train I could hardly hear the exhaust beat of the loco as we climbed the long back straight. After the run I had a peak down the chimney of the Black Five and noted a rather "fancy" multi-jet blast nozzle! Steve's laps were consistent and right up near the speed limit, this enabled him to complete a distance of 18795ft, which I believe was 11 laps.

Back in 2008, Steve risked an extra lap with his Britannia "Rough Diamond", that risk did not pay off as he failed to crest the bank on the final lap and retired. But this year, the risk did pay off! With only 20PSI on the pressure gauge, the Black Five slowly crept over the crest of the hill and rolled down into the station to loud applause from the many spectators who could see this was quite a special run.

The wait for the result was barely 5 minutes, credit to the Southport team for such a quick turn around on every run. Steve had only used 0.96Ib of coal, and had maximised the work done with some expert driving to climb to the top of the board with a masive 3.1137%, eclipsing the then current leader Lionel Flippance by over 1%!