Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Miniature Railway World Forums, the leading miniature railway forums on the internet, with over 1400 members.

The forums are full of discussion ranging from current activities to historical research.

There is also member-only access to a trip-report, photos & videos section, sells/wanted rooms and the off topic discussion areas.

So why not join in? Registration is quick, easy, and of course free! If you have any trouble, email us at info@miniaturerailwayworld.co.uk

Click Here to Register at Miniature Railway World Forums

Please note, you must be registered and logged-in to access all the forums


Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Standard Gauge Weekend; Thanks to all at Echills Wood
Topic Started: 18 Jun 2012, 10:27 AM (652 Views)
Ivan
Member Avatar
Deputy Manager
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Hi All

Saturday was a glorious day in the midlands.........despite the rain :P

I took my family and our Santa Fe F7 across to Echills Wood for their standard gauge weekend and had a truly fantastic time. I have run the F7 at Echills previously during the AGM a couple of years back, but the chance of another visit was too good to miss. For those of you that know the railway you will understand the attraction, but in case you have not yet been then perhaps this will encourage a visit.

The railway is around a mile in length - maybe more - it certainly feels like you are going somewhere distant when you set out from Harvesters station. For the first couple of minutes you are running on the main or relief line past the extensive locomotive shed, steaming bay and storage complex before entering the 'country' section that winds through attractive woodlands - and where you might catch a glimpse of some diminutive indigenous locals if you are lucky....

Shortly after you pass a signal and route selector offering the long or short run, but opting for the long route takes you slightly left through Picnic Halt and then on to a 7mph double track section leading through Wren's tunnel and on over Baldwins Bridge, eventually - and I mean after several minutes - you arrive at the balloon loop of Far Leys, more sidings and locomotive facilities, plus a three track station, this is a proper railway and no mistake.

Departing Far Leys you retrace your path as far as Picnic Junction before diverging left, passing Croccodile Creek and crossing a fully signalled road crossing before eventually reaching the distant signal for Harvesters, if clear this will show you which of the three platforms you are routed into on the indicator. Arriving back into one of the platforms it is unusual for the steam locomotives not to require attention after such a run, amazingly my F7 just seemed ready for more !

The welcome at Echills could not be warmer and the professionalism of those on hand to help with loading, unloading and general train management is unparalleled - Thank you all very much.

My 12 year old son William relished the opportunity to drive, under my supervision, and must have completed a dozen miles or more at the controls.

Thanks again - and I'll be back again before too long, (if you'll have me ?) and I can heartily recommend the EWR as a good day out for the family - and particularly for miniature railway fans.

Cheers Ivan
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
craiggluyas
Member Avatar
Director
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Hi Ivan,
I think the line is as good as you do. I just wish I was closer to be able to lend a hand!

Craig
Craig Gluyas

Talking to one's self is a sign of madness. I talk to my imaginary friend.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jordan Leeds
No Avatar
Director
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
It is indeed a brilliant line i visited and drove most of the agm and found that i kept missing the hill that was talked about.. seems its up past the yard but blink and you will miss it
JORDAN ASHLEY LEEDS

Trains go into tunnels and come out but locos can go in sheds and never come out
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ivan
Member Avatar
Deputy Manager
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Hi Jordan

Yes that's an odd one, the climb is not obvious - probably because it is hidden in the curves around Gnome cutting, but when you come out of these towards the 3mph limit approaching Picnic Junction I found that backing off the regulator was not sufficient, but that I needed a dab on the brakes, so this section is definitely downhill.

Cheers, Ivan.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Selsig
Member Avatar
Cleaner
[ *  *  *  * ]
The climb from the station to the summit is not hard, a mere 1 in 250, but it is consistant all the way. From there is drops at about 1 in 150 to Picnic Junction (and, on the short circuit, beyond down to Kirby bend). On the Far leys line, it continues approximately level to the tunnel, then climbs slightly to the point where the line turns right, on the balloon loop, it then drops into Far Leys station. Back at Picnic Junction the line drops all the way to Kirby Bend (where the distant signal for the level crossing is) then levels out to the Level Crossing. From there to the bridge over the lake it climbs at around 1 in 100, not a heavy climb, but the steepest bit of the railway, and then levels out for the final approach back into Harvesters. The climb back to the summit begins just short of the station entrance level crossing, so you end up on a sharp curve and a rising grade, just as you slow for the platforms.

Have I driven the line too much?
John Savage

Echills Wood Railway
Assistant Yardmaster
Signalling Designer and Installer
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Up to and Including 7¼" · Next Topic »
Add Reply