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LittleLEC 2007

An Efficiency Competition for Model Locomotives Under 50lbs Dry Weight

To be held at Stoke Park, Guildford, 12th August

For more information or to enter the competition contact Peter Langridge on 01252 654675, or at peter.langridge (at) ntlworld.com

Competition Rules

  1. On arrival competitors should report to the Control Point where their locomotive will be weighed, and all the necessary information concerning the days event will be available, including the approximate time for the run. They will also be informed of their allocated observer if they wish to carry one. If not, observers will be stationed around the track.
     
  2. One hour before each run the driver will be called to prepare their locomotive in the presence of an official observer, who will be on hand to offer any assistance required.
     
  3. As much charcoal, wood and paraffin as required will be provided for raising steam. The changeover to coal will be at the driver’s discretion. However, the driver must have a good coal fire before starting the run.
     
  4. To prevent undue wheel slip and track contamination, drivers are advised to ensure that their locomotive wheels are free from excess oil.
     
  5. During the event, drivers shall use only the coal provided by the organisers, which will be available to them in 1lb bags.
     
  6. The minimum trailing load for all locomotives shall be a driving trolley and the driver. The trolley may be provided by the driver, or will be provided by the host society if requested. If the driver has elected to carry an observer, an appropriate trolley will be added to the train if the driving trolley is not able to carry the observer. All trailing load must be weighed prior to the run – trolley/s and driver plus any observer and passenger/s.
     
  7. Drivers may choose the number of passengers to be carried, if any.
     
  8. Passengers may be offloaded at any time during the run. However, additional passengers may not be taken on once the run has commenced. Laps that have been completed with less passengers than at the start will be treated as having had the reduced number of passengers throughout that and subsequent laps.
     
  9. The duration of each run will be nominally 20 minutes, with a minimum of 15 minutes. The timekeeper will keep competitors informed as to their progress.
     
  10. Should a driver stop short of the finish area due to shortage of coal, steam or water, even though the full 20 minutes has elapsed, they must recover pressure and complete the run to the finish. If the driver stops for more than 5 minutes on this final lap they will be deemed to have retired. No time allowance will be made for stops caused by the derailment of the locomotive or for loss of power.
     
  11. If the run is terminated before the 15 minutes have elapsed or if the driver is unable to complete at the finish point, the competitor will be deemed to have retired.
     
  12. Water will be passed to competitors as required, in suitable containers, so that topping up can be carried out without the need to stop.
     
  13. Observers will advise the driver if speed is considered to be approaching an unsafe level for the track.
     
  14. During the measured run, trains must not be assisted in any way. All work must be performed by the locomotive. The use of the hand pump in an emergency will not result in disqualification.
     
  15. The use of working sanding gear is permitted. If the driver so requests the starter will sand the rail ahead of the start.
     
  16. On completion of the timed run, the train will be uncoupled and time recorded. The locomotive will then be run forward to the steaming bay area assisted if necessary if short of steam. All unused coal will be collected and weighed in the presence of the driver. No allowance shall be made for any unburned coal within the firebox.
     
  17. The results will be calculated by the Organisers, and displayed on the notice board. Each driver will be provided with a print-out of the details of their run.
     
  18. In the unlikely event of any dispute arising, the decision of the Organisers shall be deemed to be final.
     

    19. General Notes

    At a convenient time during the day each locomotive may have it’s axle loadings weighed and recorded, and hence the overall weight calculated. This will be purely for the information of the entrant and any other interested parties, and will in no way affect the competition or it’s eventual results.

    Total work done by the locomotive will be calculated using the product of the number of laps completed, and the work done per lap. Work done per lap will be derived from the total weight pulled by the locomotive, the known length of lap, known gradients of the track and an assumed rolling resistance of the trolley/s. (Contestants wishing to see the basis for calculation of work done may discuss details with the organisers). Nominal efficiency will then be calculated from the work done and the coal consumed, based on 1 BTU = 777.6 ft.lb. and coal calorific value = 14,500 BTU per pound. Thus,
    Efficiency % = (Work done x 100)/(Coal used x 14500 x 777.6)
    Dry weight is the total weight of the locomotive including its tender if it has one, but excluding coal and water. Any ballast used to add to the weight of the model must be included in the dry weight.