Meteors

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Meteors
Topic Started: 15 Jan 2007, 07:46 PM (1,457 Views)
peterbryant	15 Jan 2007, 07:46 PM Post #1
Director Posts: 2,164 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 14, 2006	As this has been a talking point in one of our other topics, I thought this could be a thread dedicated to these engines. Do you like them? They are now mostly at Knebworth and Vanstone apart from a few in private ownership I think. Discuss them here!
	Peter Bryant MRW Webmaster and Admin Railway Web Services - http://www.railwaywebservices.co.uk MRW Hosted by 1&1


glastonrail	15 Jan 2007, 08:22 PM Post #2
Dommo Posts: 2,373 Group: Member Member #85 Joined: January 7, 2007	I especially would like to know some of their history, technical specs, builder(s), etc. if anyone knows this. They're certainly not the worst-looking locos I've ever seen. Then again they're far from the best Dom
	"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway


MTA	15 Jan 2007, 10:26 PM Post #3
Operations Manager Posts: 958 Group: Member Member #13 Joined: August 16, 2006	I personally have never seen a Meteor in the flesh so to speak, or run for that matter, so cannot comment on their haulage capabilities. Looks wise, they are OK, I wouldn't say excellent or bad, somewhere in between...
	"If the fascination engendered by locomotion at the present day is so intense, the attractive powers of locomotion in miniature must of necessity be greater still" W.J. Bassett-Lowke. August 1911


Timbo	15 Jan 2007, 10:47 PM Post #4
Timbo Posts: 1,370 Group: Moderators Member #53 Joined: October 24, 2006	I'm never going to like them: they might well be excellent haulers but their bodywork shows little or no regard for aesthetics. But we've been down this road before There's an odd thing still for sale at Engineers Emporium - been kicking around for a long while now. Has similar poorly-judged dimensions and nods to full-sized prototypes as the Meteors do... http://www.theengineersemporium.co.uk/cata...argerlocos.html
	Tim Dunn MRW Moderator www.bekonscot.com www.meteorite.co.uk


glastonrail	15 Jan 2007, 11:03 PM Post #5
Dommo Posts: 2,373 Group: Member Member #85 Joined: January 7, 2007	Tim, that's a MeteorITE!!! :lol: Tiny little thing for 10.25. Any technical info: engine/transmission, builders/dates/number built, etc. would be great. Cheers Dom
	"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway


craiggluyas	16 Jan 2007, 01:48 PM Post #6
Director Posts: 2,278 Group: MRMT Trustees Member #46 Joined: October 5, 2006	Actually thats a Thunderbolt! There were 2 built and we have the other at Burnley (regauged to 7Ľ). They were built by Shepperton Matal Products, usually for the Ian Allan group. Most have Petter AA1 single cylinder diesel engines driving Albion 3F/1R gearboxes out of garden equipment. They were built late 50's - 60's. Craig
	Craig Gluyas Talking to one's self is a sign of madness. I talk to my imaginary friend.


peterbryant	16 Jan 2007, 04:44 PM Post #7
Director Posts: 2,164 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 14, 2006	The engine for sale was built in 1968 by Shepperton Metal Products and used to run on the Fritton Lake Railway. Below are two pictures of it operating there. The lines now closed and the other loco which operated there Nevada is also for sale! Both pictures copyright J.James. I have permission to use them for MRW
	Peter Bryant MRW Webmaster and Admin Railway Web Services - http://www.railwaywebservices.co.uk MRW Hosted by 1&1


Timbo	16 Jan 2007, 06:47 PM Post #8
Timbo Posts: 1,370 Group: Moderators Member #53 Joined: October 24, 2006	Given "Meteorite" is our company name - I wonder if I can convince our chairman to buy it. We could have it in reception and use it as a coffee table...
	Tim Dunn MRW Moderator www.bekonscot.com www.meteorite.co.uk


MuzTrem	16 Jan 2007, 11:02 PM Post #9
Operations Manager Posts: 920 Group: Friends of MRMT Member #65 Joined: December 5, 2006	craiggluyas Jan 16 2007, 12:48 PM There were 2 built and we have the other at Burnley (regauged to 7Ľ). Actually I belive they were originally 7.25" and it's the 10.25" one that's been regauged. The history of the Meteors was published in an issue of The Narrow Gauge - I can't remember which off the top of my head, I'll have to dig it out some time. Personally I like the Meteors - their quirky appearence gives them more character than the average diesel loco.



penrose	19 Jan 2007, 09:06 PM Post #10
Manager Posts: 484 Group: Member Member #7 Joined: August 15, 2006	There were several different "types" of loco built by Shepperton, the most common being the Meteor (others were the "Comet" which was slightly shorter than a "Meteor" and "Thunderbolt" which was a 7 1/4" 4w version). Many were built for the various seaside lines Ian Allan set up (along with sets of articulated carriages). I think all use Petter engines with an albion gearbox. Stuart Madgin at Knebworth (who I suppose is an expert on them!) did explain about the mechanical arrangements and a bit of history but I can't remember much! Best someone dig out the Narrow Gauge article on it. Surviving products from Shepperton are: Thunderbolts - 7 1/4" Thunderbolt 1 - at Burnley, built for Beaulieu Gardens, Bognor Regis in 1968, spent time at Great Cockcrow and elsewhere Thunderbolt 2 (now Derek and converted to 10 1/4") - at Engineers Emporium, also built for Beaulieu Gardens in 1968. Been at Great Cockcrow, Watford, Vanstones, Fritton Lake and elsewhere Comet Sandham Castle - built 1969, now at Vanstones having been at Sandham Castle Meteors Borough of Buxton, built 1968. Been at Whitby, Buxton, Wensleydale Rly and now at Vanstones. Meteor 2 - built 1970. Been at Hotham Park, Bognor, Whitby, Watford and in private hands. Meteor 4 - built 1969. Been with David Copeland before going to Vanstones/Knebworth. Meteor 5 - built 1970. Been at Hastings, Watford and now at Knebworth. Experimental petrol version. Meteor 6 - built 1970. Been at Skegness, Hastings, Watford, Vanstones and now with Brian Gent I believe. S/O Meteor built 1971 now at Paradise Park, previously at Hotham Park and Chesterfield. Meteor 9 - built 1971, at Oakhill Manor for many years and now at Vanstones. All Meteors and the Comet are 2-4w-2DM except Meteor 5 which is a petrol mechanical. The loco at Exmouth was built using parts from Meteors 3 and 7.
	Charles O'Mahoney Penrose Light Railway, Cornwall


glastonrail	19 Jan 2007, 09:54 PM Post #11
Dommo Posts: 2,373 Group: Member Member #85 Joined: January 7, 2007	That's all very interesting, thanks very much Charles just what I wanted to know. B) One more question. Is this Ian Allan chap the same a he who published railway books? And started the annual list of preserved locos? Or have I got my wires crossed? (Wouldn't be the first time!):D Cheers, Dom
	"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway


penrose	20 Jan 2007, 12:23 AM Post #12
Manager Posts: 484 Group: Member Member #7 Joined: August 15, 2006	The very same. At one time the Ian Allan organisation owned/set up several seaside miniature railways, started by Ian Allan buying a share in the Hastings MR in the 1950s.
	Charles O'Mahoney Penrose Light Railway, Cornwall


glastonrail	20 Jan 2007, 12:30 PM Post #13
Dommo Posts: 2,373 Group: Member Member #85 Joined: January 7, 2007	Once again, thank you very much. Dom
	"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway


penrose	20 Jan 2007, 11:45 PM Post #14
Manager Posts: 484 Group: Member Member #7 Joined: August 15, 2006	A bit about Ian Allan's involvement with miniature railways from their site: Quote: Another extension of activities came in 1948 when Ian and five friends became the owners of the Hastings Miniature Railway.....A hobby close to Ian’s heart was miniature railways; and joint ownership of the Hastings Miniature Railway had done nothing to dim his enthusiasm. Given a chance to acquire a privately owned 7˝” gauge model railway, and having previously bought 56 acres of farmland at Lyne, near Chertsey, this became the home of the Greywood Central Railway, which was to become the Great Cockcrow Railway. Ian Allan (Miniature Railway Supplies) Ltd was conceived in order to provide equipment for commercial miniature railways nationwide. Soon, there were 10Ľ” miniature railways at Bognor, Whitby, Bournemouth, Sandown, Prestatyn, Buxton and a second at Bognor's famous Hotham Park. As a matter of interest the loco Peter has posted photos of (Derek) is rebodied from original and was regauged to 10 1/4" in the mid 80s. I seem to remember LA Services have fitted it with a BSA engine, though can't find their flyer for it at the moment. The carriages (actually a 4 carriage set but reduced to 3 in use at Fritton Lake) in the photo were built by Glen Fairweather and are based on the Ian Allan design. Glen also built 7 for Knebworth House and 3 for another party. Craig, any chances of a photo of Thunderbolt 1? Just found a few photos of Meteors in the "archives" for anyone interested: Meteor V outside the shed at Watford, Photo by G. Fairweather Meteor IV and Sandham Castle Midget, a fairly new loco along the lines of a Thunderbolt. Photo by A. Everett
	Charles O'Mahoney Penrose Light Railway, Cornwall


glastonrail	21 Jan 2007, 12:25 AM Post #15
Dommo Posts: 2,373 Group: Member Member #85 Joined: January 7, 2007	Once again, some wonderful info there Charles, thank you. Seriously, they're not bad-looking things. Sort of Hymek meets English Electric meets a bit of Cl52 (Western - best looking class of diesel/hydraulic loco around) with some freelance modeller thrown in for good measure. The proportions seem about right and in the right paint-scheme their lines can be really set off. Not so sure about the Midget though... ... Cheers, Dom
	"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway


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