Gilling mainline rally May 19th-20th 2012
Entry posted by London cambrian
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How do all.
Well, I'll take abreak from my constant schedul or revising 
to bring you the news of the weekend just gone
Twice a year, Ryedale Society of model engineers and The Lindsey Model society (Yes the LMS!) Organise a Main line rally at the Ryedale track at Gilling (Village of Gilling East, look up 54.184772,-1.061845 in google maps).
Its a double track mainline with three yards, an MPD and rolling stock storage bunker, semi automated signalling system as well as two manual signal boxes. I woul;dnt say its the perfect place fo railway operations but it does a damn good job! A large amount of stock lives at Gilling, including a rake of 13 BR Mark 1 coaches, detailed down to the nth degree. That and ahost of Ryedale members wagons. But when a mainline rally is on, it gets very crowded despite its size, and we had 200 plus wagons there, and probably around 30 coaches with 10 parcels vehicles. So alot of stock. Around 15-20 steam engines, and 10 diesel or electric locos,
The railway is all run to a timetable, with each move planned a head, starting about 8 am with a bunker pilot duty, trip workings, the local passenger, Parcels, milk, the Down Paletine express, and then varying trains of Fish, Mineral, Oil train, Pick up goods, Fitted vans, semi fitted freight, bulk steel, etc etc. The only thing we are short of are permenant way trains, mainly because we lack the stock! The odd mishap or cancellation happens because of loco failure, of which there were quite a few this weekend, but trip freights and special movements are organised as traffic demands, and yard pilot duties are changed regularly with trains departing from one yard, terminating in another and running light loco back to the shed, often with the pilot at change of shift.
I think minimumm motive power required is 4 train engines and 5 pilots (1 for each yard and 2 spare as up and down line pilot/spares)but a lot more are often in steam waiting to come on or off shift.
My Weekend
It was touch and go whether we would go or not, but glad we did cos we had a great time. Its my first time there, done loads of other GL5 stuff but never the rally. The weather nearly put us off, me and my dad were both tired on the friday night, and bad weather would not be kind to our coaches so we were in two minds. So, having hitched up the trailer, loco, someone elses wagon, (a very nice NE drop door wooden hopper), riding truck and the 4th coach, completed the day before in the boot, we set off on the 3 hr journey up north. We got there, meeting friend from previous events there, pitched tent and sidled off down the pub to talk all things railway. Returned from Pub about 11;30, went to check our duty roster (you are given a charge sheet of all the duties we would be handling that day) Anyway, started talking to a couple of guys and ended up not going to bed till 1:30!
First day dawned, got up to see people getting engines ready for their first turns at 7:30am! So, unloaded engine and took a proper read of my charge sheet for the day. 3 duties, but in the end we ended up doing 4 because a friend was double booked. He was meant to be in both the up and down yards at the same time. So as we had that duty before him, we just carried on and covered his. )its very unusual to do so many, most people are booked for only 2 maybe 3) we left the yard at 20 to 12, for PA4, down yard and station pilot duty. A duty that involves frantic rushing around then sitting idel for long periods, running onto the mainline occasionally and being quick on your feet, especially with the signalman shouting abuse at you! (all light hearted of course!) We were on for an hour and a half, covering the next pilot as well before being rushed over to the up yard to form the 14;25 up local, double headed with another electric. It was on this run that we blew a fuse on the bank with 10 coaches on, so, as a failed loco, rescued by the standby pilot. this put our final run in jeopardy but a leant fuse meant we could fulfill it, taking it cautiously with our 4 coaches, the teak glistening in the sunlight.
Myself taking the teaks out, the dribving truck looking truly in place, not a hugely common thing
Sunday dawned dry but overcast. Our turns were not till 2pm, so we could relax abit. Our second turn would be a local around 4pm, but as its the last day and ecveryone packs up, i went to the duty foremna, alan and put myself forward for cover duties. A duty duly arrived in the shape of covering the up local passenger with 3 mark 1s and some fish vans, for a failed class 20.
With that turn completed, retrurn to shed, and get some tea! However around lunch was again called after one engine didnt show and thother failed, but that turn was covered buy a better suited loco. So, back to standby. Then, talking and eating cake in the clubhouse, Foreman comes in, 'can you cover a pilot turn?' of course, i can, so 13:43 off shed, over to the down yard to fill a by now familiar station pilot turn!
All the time when on station pilot turn, also acting as shunter, organiser and all round dogsbody to the signalman! Anyway, the coaches got a run, with our friend other metropolitan electric, in an afternoon local, a great sight with the engine whirring its way up the banks.
All too soon it was over, we packed the coaches uinto the trailer and beat a hasty retreat home, just before 5, stopping to collect some bits for my next wagons, and saying our goodbyes, and 'see you at the AGM at Brenthouse'
121 wagons just in this one yard at one point, more round the track and wagons that never came out, stayed in the bunker!
Amongst my favourite wagons there, as well as various extraordinary loads, plate glass, foundry castings, ships propellors , a diving bell, several cars, cable drums, a tunel gauging vehicle, and other assorted oddballs!
All in all a very enjoyable but very tiring weekend, i do have a few things iwould change or note, but i wont bore you here!
Its not perfect, it does fall down in one or two places and as any club you get the odd character, and difference of opinion but its hugely enjoyable and definitely something i'll do again, hopefully in August!
If any one wishes to come and watch, the public are more than welcome to come and watch. The next event is August bank holiday if your in the area. Say hello to me, follow what the organisers ask, unlike some people we encountered and got all officious, but most of all come, watch and enjoy!
Sorry its so long, but a long weekend deserves a write up!
If your still with me,
Cheers all
Mark
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