Live Steam Section

Monday 01 December 2008 

One of the earliest members of the I & WEMRC was Dr Watts, back in the mid-1930's. He lived in a large house at Chigwell Row, and around the estate was laid a long and winding irregular circle of 7¼" gauge railway track, the main feature of which was a timber viaduct - some 30 feet long - built on a curve across the middle of the lake. It was the doctor’s custom to hold garden parties in the summer for the sole purpose of running sessions on his railway. His loco was based on the LSWR Urie 4-6-0 N15 class that subsequently became part of the King Arthur class and was named Excalibur (pictured below).

Live Steam section Formed 1930's No of Members 5 Section Head Charlie Nelson Meets on Wednesday afternoons & Sunday mornings Monthly Steam Days through Spring, Summer & Autumn every year.

The war years played havoc with the track as it was impossible to carry out any maintenance. By the end of the war, the deck and timber supports of the viaduct had rotted. When the doctor died, Excalibur, rolling stock and track were bequeathed to the club.

Excalibur is now back and running at the club after having a thorough overhaul which included a new boiler. It has been a regular feature at our monthly Steam/Open Days, as has Thomas Junior (pictured right), which is always popular with the children.