Leander Architectural Open Day.

Leander Architectural is a small foundry based in Doves Holes, Derbyshire. They specialise in cast signposts, plaques, etc, see their website here. The company is run by Ted McAvoy, who is also a railway enthusiast. Around the rear of the works is a short 2" gauge railway and a collection of stock, including a Motor Rail Simplex. Today Ted had organised an open day, which will probably be the last as Ted is looking towards retirement. I took a day off work and headed over, camera in hand.

After signing in and paying a donation towards a Downs Syndrome charity (the day raised £315) I went around the side of the building, where stock sits in a couple of sidings;

An escaped slate rubbish waggon, note the double-flanged wheels;

The first 'loco' encountered was the diminutive 'Wasp', powered by what seems to be a motorcycle engine;

Running around the yard was 'Turbo Ted' (MR9543/50). Rebuilt at one stage by Alan Keef Ltd with an air-cooled Duetz diesel engine it is unusual in that the driver faces left when seated as opposed to facing right on a standard 20/28;

'TT' was being used to give rides along the 'U'shaped line;

I rather cheekily asked if I could have a drive of the Simplex, after explaining that I once rebuilt a 20/28. Ted quickly went over the controls and left me to it. I would have been happy with a quick run up and down but as people kept photographing and filming the loco at work I kept on driving, probably doing over a dozen runs. Which I have to say I rather enjoyed. A photo and brief description of this loco as re-built appears in 'Motor Rail Ltd' by Alan M. Keef.

On the flat wagon sits a Wingrove Rogers battery loco;

Human power was also represented;

The second one started life as an exercise bike! I had a play on it, interestingly it has a fixed wheel (its a long time since I rode a fixie!).

Inside the building sat a small copy of a Porter, recently imported from Australia;

And a Lister awaiting restoration;

Around the yard sit various wagons;

Whilst we were there we watched some castings being poured. The big blue box is an electric furnace;

Once the castings have cooled sufficiently the sand is knocked away;

Note the Hudson skip, is this the last skip in industrial use in the UK? Its in very good condition anyway;

And finally, a look at the track;

Points are of the 'kick across' type, typical of industrial narrow gauge concerns.

A good day out. With thanks to Ted for allowing us to visit, and to Mark for the tip-off.

Paul.

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