A loco in the engine shed at the LBNGR.
The occasion was an open day and motorcycle gathering at the LBNGR (Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway).
We arranged to meet up as usual at Pure Triumph in Welligborough on a bright but cool day. As well as the usual suspects who turn up for these rides two new people Keith and Dave were waiting to join us on our adventure to the south. As many of you know I have a Sachs 800 Roadster a motorcycle so rare (unpopular) that I have never met anyone else in the UK with another one. Today I was on my Triumph but Interestingly Dave was on the very rare Sachs B800 variant. Most of us were on modern(ish) machinery but In keeping with our clubs classic bike leanings Matt was on his old Triumph and Derrick was on his old Honda 250.
A steady ride to Leighton Buzzard led by Matt took us to the LNBGR station set in a park to the south of the town.
As we entered the park an enthusiastic scout leader type was directing the bikes into two groups, vintage and classic in one group and modern in the other. It was quite clear that this chap didn't have a clue about motorcycles as he allowed modern Indian Enfields and similar into the classic area and directed classics such as Derricks Honda and a very nice bevel drive Ducati into the modern area.
Still no one was concerned enough to challenge him as the barrier between the groups was only a flimsy rope.
We spent the afternoon between the bikes on display, the shop and trains and the band.
The cafe was very entertaining, The organisers had taken account that the crowds might be bigger than a normal Sunday but the extra staff they employed were teenage girls who obviously hadn't practised beforehand. Somehow despite working hard they managed to lose orders and create general confusion and low key mayhem, still they were doing there best and people smiled rather than complained.
Back to the show where we particularly liked the open access to the train shed where it was possible to see where the engines were worked on and a display of those locos not in use today. Around the shed were displayed cards detailing the history of the site and the engines on display. It seems that this former sand quarry in its working days abandoned steam engines in favour of diesel as long ago as the mid 1920s, steam powered locomotives only returned when the quarry closed and local enthusiasts took over the line.
To sum up the day out, it was a pleasant low key event with a laid back approach to organisation which was a welcome change to some other venues.
The only improvement I would call for would be warmer weather and a bit of practice in the catering department.
See gallery two of the website for photos.
http://www.eastnorthantsclassicmcc.co.uk/
We arranged to meet up as usual at Pure Triumph in Welligborough on a bright but cool day. As well as the usual suspects who turn up for these rides two new people Keith and Dave were waiting to join us on our adventure to the south. As many of you know I have a Sachs 800 Roadster a motorcycle so rare (unpopular) that I have never met anyone else in the UK with another one. Today I was on my Triumph but Interestingly Dave was on the very rare Sachs B800 variant. Most of us were on modern(ish) machinery but In keeping with our clubs classic bike leanings Matt was on his old Triumph and Derrick was on his old Honda 250.
A steady ride to Leighton Buzzard led by Matt took us to the LNBGR station set in a park to the south of the town.
As we entered the park an enthusiastic scout leader type was directing the bikes into two groups, vintage and classic in one group and modern in the other. It was quite clear that this chap didn't have a clue about motorcycles as he allowed modern Indian Enfields and similar into the classic area and directed classics such as Derricks Honda and a very nice bevel drive Ducati into the modern area.
Still no one was concerned enough to challenge him as the barrier between the groups was only a flimsy rope.
We spent the afternoon between the bikes on display, the shop and trains and the band.
The cafe was very entertaining, The organisers had taken account that the crowds might be bigger than a normal Sunday but the extra staff they employed were teenage girls who obviously hadn't practised beforehand. Somehow despite working hard they managed to lose orders and create general confusion and low key mayhem, still they were doing there best and people smiled rather than complained.
Back to the show where we particularly liked the open access to the train shed where it was possible to see where the engines were worked on and a display of those locos not in use today. Around the shed were displayed cards detailing the history of the site and the engines on display. It seems that this former sand quarry in its working days abandoned steam engines in favour of diesel as long ago as the mid 1920s, steam powered locomotives only returned when the quarry closed and local enthusiasts took over the line.
To sum up the day out, it was a pleasant low key event with a laid back approach to organisation which was a welcome change to some other venues.
The only improvement I would call for would be warmer weather and a bit of practice in the catering department.
See gallery two of the website for photos.
http://www.eastnorthantsclassicmcc.co.uk/
