A special report by John Murray for Charlie Hulme's The North Wales Coast Railway Website
7 June 2003
The Irish Mail in Miniature
Saturday 7th June 2003 offered a trip down Memory Lane for steam enthusiasts when The Wrexham Society of Model Engineers recreated the world's first titled express train, "The Irish Mail", on their five-inch gauge track at Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford, near Wrexham. The honour went to two magnificent steam locomotives belonging to members of the society, which completed the journey from "Holyhead" to "London Euston", an actual distance of 263 miles.
The two hand-built 1/12th scale locos from the LMS Royal Scot class, 6134 The Cheshire Regiment in Stanier rebuilt state, and 6159 The Royal Air Force in original Fowler un-rebuilt condition, hauled a scale load of 600 tons and aimed to set a new average speed record for the express in excess of 75mph.
These super detailed scale locos departed at 12 noon for the four hour journey of 23 actual miles, no mean feat for their size, and stopped at "Chester", "Crewe" and "Rugby" en-route and emulated the full size original by collecting and delivering mail while the train was moving.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Nightingale House Hospice.
I'd like to thank the Wrexham Society of Model Engineers for organising this excellent and unusual event and for their hospitality and assistance, particularly after I told them I was preparing a photo report for Charlie's North Wales Coast Site!
Photos of the day
While 6134 is on the first leg of the journey from "Holyhead" to "Crewe", 6159 is steamed up for service.
6134 at speed on the main line.
6134 approaches the tunnel
Showing the detail on these magnificent locos, the nameplate on 6134
Progress was measured by the lap counter, adjacent to the signal box. Lap 29 put the train in the vicinity of "Colwyn Bay".
A live action shot of the mail pick up between "Rhyl" and "Chester". Sadly the "mail" (circled in mid flight in yellow) missed the net but all credit for the effort which was spectacular!
6159 took over at "Crewe" seen here leaving the tunnel.
and 6159 passes 6134 stabled in the shed road, as standby.
6159 arrives at "Rugby" at 14:38, 15 minutes and 15 seconds down.
I had to leave before the final arrival in "Euston", so any update would be very much appreciated. Thanks again to all concerned.
The Route
"Holyhead" to "Chester", 84.3 miles (scale distance 7.0 miles) 49 laps
"Chester" to "Crewe", 20.5 miles (scale distance 1.7 miles) 12 laps
"Crewe" to "Rugby", 75.7 miles (scale distance 6.3 miles) 44 laps
"Rugby" to "Euston", 82.5 miles (scale distance 6.9 miles) 29 laps
The Location
The Wrexham Society of Model Engineers track, an elevated dual 3½ and 5 inch gauge setup, is adjacent to the Pant-Yr-Ochain restaurant and pub in Gresford near to Wrexham. The society's track is open to the public for rides on summer Sundays, weather permitting, in return for a donation to their chosen charity. The site (click here for a map) is just off the A534 Wrexham to Nantwich road. Sadly it is not easily accessible by public transport although Arriva bus service 1/1A (Chester - Wrexham) passes within a mile of the site. The timetable and a map of the route, are available online (pdf format).
Compiled for North Wales Coast Railway Website Created by Charlie Hulme, Comments welcome to charlie@dweb.u-net.com