the newly re-gauged Sarah Siddons. This loco was donated to the museum from her previous Irish owners, where she had been to 7 1/2" gauge. This event was her first since regauging. With new batteries she proved very adept at top and tailing with 27. As you will see, she looks supremely good with the Met coaches we use.

Stephen with Livvy on the Saturday. Her performence was rubbish from the start. She was pushed backwards down and siding and the drive chain fell off. After bashing wedges into the various parts to get it tight again I gave it another go but it was all so knackered I declared it scrap on the spot, and she came home to my garage that night so as not to be in the way for Sunday.

Livvy on the Saturday. It is intended to replace her current wheelsets with brand new ones to GCR standards that have two axle hung motors each. This will lay down the power needed to pull a decent passenger train at the AMR, and indeed at the Spinney and GCR. With all four motors drawing 24 volts she will be a super duper loco, my ultimate power house.

Mike with 27 on the Saturday.

a close up of 27s unique Beyer Peacock cylinder arrangement. Also check out the slide bars, there are four on each side.

Sarah at the end of the line waiting to tow the train back. I was driving at this point and hopped off to snap this.

at the other end of the train was 27, seen here being driven by Stephen. The look on his face says all.

Sarah's driving controls. From L to R, the main throttle, the reverser and the booster. The loco has split field motors and the booster gives it more torque when extra umph is needed. This makes her a good banker. The controls are entirely mechanical, with no electronics anywhere, and while a bit archaic, are within the spirit of the real loco, and also make it very robust and a bit more interesting to drive.

The A class. I really love this loco. It goes so well and is always a pleasure to drive. I have never yet met an engine quite so much fun as this one. I think its because of the Victorian nature of it. The tall chimney, four coupled chassis and open cab lend it a bit of difference to all the locos I'm used to. This is also the reason I like the GCR's 1442. Basically, I like really ancient engines!

Look what turned up!!!!! Its a big Mike the Metrovick!!!

AMR General Manager Adrian Allum poses next to Sarah Siddons (12 inches to the foot) and Sarah Siddons (1/8th scale).

Legend!!!

The inside of Sarah. Lots of lovely live equipment, a H&S nightmare!!!

A contact breaker doo hickey on Sarah Siddons.

big Sarah and little Sarah. Such a shame Mike wasn't able to attend!

Sarah Siddons number 12

27 with her smokebox being cleaned out on the Sunday morning.

1472 about to be loaded onto the track.

1472 was 255s partner for the day.

SE&CR C class 255.

GWR 1400 class 1472

C class 255 ready to be lit up.

drivers eye view from 27

the footplate of 27. At this point I had just shovelled out the last lumps of coal from the bunker!