Weymouth and District Model Engineering Society

   The Newsletter   October 2007

Bird’s-eye View

  Well it looks like being late with the newsletter is getting to be a bit of a habit – perhaps it is just that I can’t face wading through the piles of copy that you all send me……. Seriously though, I do have three contributors this month so I am not complaining – things are definitely looking up! And if you would like to see your name in print, jot down a few words about your latest project and I might even publish it on time.

  In the last newsletter we were saying bon voyage to John and Jane Marks (only Jane understood the French). Jane has been keeping us up to date with their progress (John has a new workshop and has found a 7 ¼” man with a railway just up the road). And John sends his sincere thanks for the presentation book – which he finally managed to get from John Clark!.

Then, in June, Steve Allgood responded positively to being ‘volunteered’ for temporary chairman. Needless to say, he was just the man for the job (especially as he has written something for the newsletter – see Allgood things) and was formally voted in at the AGM.

  We are not short of ideas in this club, but inevitably, putting them into action falls on a few. The “we need to” or “why don’t we?” or “have we?” suggestions come thick and fast, but who will do it …..now that is a different matter ….or at least it was. I am delighted to say that Neil Edwards has volunteered to be the new events co-ordinator, a committee post that has been vacant for some time. The committee will therefore co-opt him at the next meeting, so please address all events ideas to Neil (occasionally ‘care of ‘some North Sea oil rig – we will find you Neil!). And Neil has started by writing for your newsletter – what more could a poor editor ask!

 

 

 

 

 

AGM Report

Seventeen members attended the AGM on the 2nd October and I shall be circulating the minutes by email. If you are not on email and would like a full copy, please let me know and I will send you one. In the meantime, here are a few highlights:

 The Club track:  The great news, of course, is that the club track has a new lease of life. Steve explained that the school building work will commence in Jan 08 to create the new entrance. Work on the new tennis netball/netball courts will then follow sometime during the year and may free up space for commencement of railway work. From March 08, work will commence on building the new metalled road round to the existing netball courts where work will commence on the new school buildings. The result  of this is that existing track will not be affected for at least two Summers – so it is essential to look after it.

  Steam-ups: It was proposed and agreed that club steam-ups should be extended to the first and third Saturdays in the month and that electric running in daylight hours could take place on Tuesday evenings.

  The Committee: As I was not killed in the rush for new nominations, the existing committee were re-elected.

  Health & Safety: David Riches reported that we have had a good year with much improved track marshalling etc. A new Risk Assessment had been carried out and the results are available for all to read in the blue folder in the club room. In particular this draws members attention to the need for safe practices in during building and maintenance work, with the use of appropriate safety equipment.

  Tea Money: Although the club funds are healthier than last year, it was noted that the same people have been donating the milk and generally the biscuits, week in and week out. It was agreed that members will pay 20p for their refreshments on club days and this will fund the supplies. Any surplus will go to funding the club BBQ.

  The future: There was much discussion about the future of the track (beyond two years) with issues such as funding, security of tenure, and project planning being very much to the fore in members’ minds. No decisions have yet been made but proposals will be put to a general meeting in due course.

In Steam

July: The July steam up was, of course, the club BBQ (see Allgood things..) and a great time was had by all – well nearly all – John Clark had one of ‘Sweet William’ days -   you know the form: one minute she is a raging beast and the next…….nothing. But it began to bring matters to a head as we all knew that something was fundamentally wrong (It turned out the boiler was incorrectly made, reducing the combustion space and putting the blast pipe and blower out of line). Trad Casey also had a few teething problems preparing his Maxitrack traction engine for his steam test. Initially delayed by an unenthusiastic fire, when it did get going it produced steam aplenty. And with the throttle stuck open and a missing neutral spot, it sprang to life with a roar that would have drowned out a Harley Davidson. Undaunted, Trad sorted the timing and the regulator and she went beautifully. She has an amazing turn of speed, even though the tender contains most of a domestic water system and one Nigel Garrett (driving his D15) was left pondering about fitting a supercharger to his Alchin….  I was the designated track marshall for the day but Keith Bearsby heroically volunteered to take on the role so that I could steam Tich, ably assisted by Nigel Hunt. Steve put Sweet Pea through her paces and Robert operated the passenger service with the Wren.

August: My photos of the August steam up show Nigel Garrett enthusiastically waving the track marshall flags (Is that a stop/go moment Nigel?) for Steve’s Sweet Pea, Neil pulling passengers with the Wren and Leslie driving his smaller electric shunter. I was there too, driving the Gordon Cocker “Pug”. She is a great little loco and there are some real advantages in dispensing with the fire and water!

September: Well no-one seems to remember September (though I’m pretty sure John Clarks boiler mods proved effective)  so, moving on to………

October ….I will let Neil Edwards take up the story – “Saturday the 6th dawned bright and sunny. Not so much a steaming day, more a battery bonanza. Three electrics running, from Ralph’s diminutive 5” shunter to Les’s monster class 31. Steve gallantly flew the flag for the coal aficionados while Nigel and Trad competed in the traction engine stakes. A fine day was then had by all. Apart from Steve having to disappear twice to take and collect his son to Portland for a visit to the nuclear submarine (now that would make an interesting modelling project, Gordon). Les also decided to take up flying lessons courtesy of the north east corner. Lesson one - wear a seat belt next time! One member (might be Neil…. Ed.) discovered that the injector valve on Steve’s Sweet Pea is not captive. Ooops. Fortunately, the culprit was kneeling by the side of the loco at the time and so the jet of steam only succeeded in cleaning the driving and passenger trolleys. Luckily, said member was able to screw the valve back in before anyone noticed!! Much embarrassment all round. However, how Steve enjoys stretching so far forward to reach the controls is beyond the wit of man. Maybe we should build a medieval rack to stretch the driver’s arms and back. There must be an easier way to drive. Both traction engines drew admiring glances from assorted people. We all wait with baited breath for the maiden test run of another, larger, traction engine currently under construction.

  The following Saturday, 13th, was slightly different. Damp, grey, drizzle, mist. Perfect conditions for an improptu steam up. With a huge member turnout (5), Nigel decided to steam his 5” LSWR 4-4-0 and Neil decided to fire up the Wren and test the new injector. Both locos were fired by the superb “Value House” coal (other brands available!). While this may not be the most thermally efficient, it is certainly the most atmospheric. With absolutely no wind blowing, the whole steaming area and half the school field was soon bathed in a wonderful brown/grey smog. Ah, such are childhood memories made of..…. Eventually, with 75 pounds on the Wren’s clock, it was time to move off the turntable. One gentle lap later, pressure down to 35 psi! To say the Wren leaked like a colander from almost every orifice would not be an overstatement. Both cylinders spewed forth steam like an angry Welsh dragon, perhaps they need repacking? The rear safety lifted at about 40 psi and, despite some judicious tapping with the shovel, would not close. The whistle also had a constant whisp of steam from it, although it wasn’t enough to continuously sound. The water tap on the tender was extremely stiff to operate (something else to be stripped and cleaned?). As the boiler pressure could not be held steady and fine control of the water supply was impossible, we still don’t know if the new injector works. At least the axle and hand pumps worked properly. However, despite these gremlins, Neil and Keith had their fix of smoke and steam.

Nigel also had a fruitful session, despite getting driver’s “red eye”. His system of a long rod attached to the regulator makes driving a lot easier than Steve’s all out stretching method. It’s still almost impossible however to fire and water on the run as the backhead is too far away. Perhaps the previously mentioned rack will become a necessity!!

  Hopefully the next few steam-ups will see more locos out on the track. If you’re not a regular Saturday attendee, just look at what you have been missing out on!”

  Thanks for that Neil - and so back to me - fortunately I was able to make the third Sat steam up and Tich did her stuff in the company of Steve’s Sweet Pea  and John Cooper’s Speedy. Steve was worried about a slight jerkiness (timing problem?) while John did the “let’s see how much water we can get in the boiler” trick. Speedy with her piston valves was not amused and retired hurt. (I performed this trick with my Tinkerbell recently – chatting as the injector filled the boiler to the brim – it is the first time I have seen water coming out of the whistle! Fortunately, with her slide valves, she was quite happy irrigating the surrounding area). Nigel drove his Alchin a few hundred miles round the playing field and netball courts – desperately trying for Trad’s speed record……

 

 

 

 

 

Events

  In addition to all the club steam ups, we ran at three external events this Summer. The first, and most successful, was the St Andrews school fete organised for us by Mike Jackson. The 16th June was a perfect day, with loads of eager passengers and a single coach, top and tailed by the Wren and Neil’s class 08. We had a great turn out of members and it proved to be a very enjoyable way of making over £100 for the club – we will look for more like this next year.

  The T.O.Y.S event, on the other hand, was not a success. A wet and miserable group of members took the new gazebo and Neils Class 08 and sat in a field in the rain. The Gazebo leaked. The few punters waded about in the mud. We tried singing and waving our arms, but to no avail. We made £15. Enough said!

  The final public running event was the Chickerell Carnival. We top and tailed with the Wren and Class 08 and thanks to Robert nursing the Wren carefully until Ray tweaked the crosshead pump, we had a successful day and raised over £100.

 Coming Events

Club Locos & Projects

   Freddy Hudson is continuing his marathon commissioning of the Juliette – helped by various skilled engineers and hindered by the most fearsome bad luck – every time he sorts one thing, something else sticks/jams/breaks. He soldiers on though and unless my eyes deceive me, it is ready for the hydraulic test…..(oops spoke too soon…..another leak……….)

  The Wren continued to bear the brunt of the public running but has not been without its problems. The crosshead water feed pump played up and needed sorting by John Cooper, who has also fitted a new injector to try to overcome its disinclination to work at full boiler pressure (though I from Neil’s account above, I think there are quite a few problems with the plumbing to be sorted). The roof frame has been repaired by Steve, who is also considering a roof modification to allow learner drivers to see the controls (hint!).

  A major project is under way to make the brakes work on the passenger carriages – the existing system was more ornamental than effective so Gordon, Ray and Steve are busy creating a vacuum system which will work. If, like me, you struggle with understanding the vacuum braking system, have a look on www.pnp-railways.co.uk where all is revealed.

  And finally, there is the signalling/point locking project. Now if Gordon and Ray had been around at the time of Brunel and the Stephensons, the signalling on British railways might have looked very different. The steam-up on the 20th Oct saw the testing of their elegant solution which worked a treat – a great improvement on the woodscrew and flag method!

Websites etc.

   Remember that the club website is on www.weymouth-dmes.co.uk and that it is administered and updated by Mike Jackson and family. But he needs material!! If you have digital photos of club events, please let him have them (and yes I am guilty too Mike!)

Membership

Please remember that Subscriptions are now due – it is still a bargain at £20 so if you haven’t yet paid please send it to John Cooper. And we have one new member this time, so a warm welcome to Glen Devey who is a highly experienced engineer embarking on his first traction engine project  - a 3 inch Burrell (a future speed record contender??).

Member Contact List

Look out for the newly updated Member Contact List (ask me if you haven’t got one). This printed list is for member use only and lists only those members who have so far given me permission to share their details with fellow members. If you are not included and would like to be, or if I have got your details wrong, please let me know and I will update you on the next edition.

Something Completely Different…..

  Belated congratulations to Nic Ashmore’s wife Linda, who, on the 25th August swam the English Channel in 15 hours 11 minutes. (and also to Nic who survived that long in the slow support boat without being sick!) At the time of writing she is awaiting confirmation that she is the oldest woman ever to achieve this at 60 years 10 months (should we be publishing a Lady’s age Nic?). 

Linda’s training started about 18 months ago with a combination of cycling, gym work and a great deal of swimming in Weymouth Bay.  Nic accompanied her in his kayak for the training swims which lasted up to 10 hours. (Perhaps this explains his currently strong arms and puny legs!) 

  The swim raised some £1500.00 in sponsorship and every penny will go towards installing a play pump in the village of Nqalweni, Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

 So why this charity? Well it started when Linda went on a diving holiday last to the Eastern Cape last year and saw the differences between the different indigenous groups, their schools, facilities etc. In particular, she saw the problems caused by the lack of a fresh water supply.  At about the same time, a colleague of Linda’s spent six weeks in this isolated village and they decided that their goal was to fund the installation of a sustainable water system. This will be powered by a ‘Roundabout Play Pump’ where through “human engineering” the children’s roundabout pumps the water. Now there’s something we can understand! If you want to see this amazing technology, have a look at:

 http://www.playpumps.org/site/c.hqLNIXOEKrF/b.2589389/k.9958/About_Us__Mission.htm

(Thanks to my esteemed predecessor, Nic, for the above info  – Ed.)

Allgood things….

……. come at the end  - as the saying (nearly) goes.  This will be my first attempts to add Chairman’s remarks in every issue of the Club Newsletter.  So here goes….and can I start by saying thanks for the comments I have received about my temporary / acting Chairman’s post.  Well now you are stuck with me for a year so I will do my best!

  The Club BBQ – as the photo shows, we had a fantastic day and to me, that is what a Club is all about – enjoyment and everyone contributing to the event.  My thanks in particular go to Cath Cooper for organising the food side of things both before and during the day.  I must not forget the other ladies who also helped with setting up and preparing the “kitchen” and clearing up afterwards – thank you everyone. It was also good to see so many club members helping setting up tables, organising the BBQ and all the other tasks needed – again thank you all.  And didn’t the gazebo add that little extra – and we even managed to pack it away in ONE piece!  Even the weather was on our side – considering what we have had this year in June & July.  A really great day.  My apologies to the stationary engine folks – the compressed air didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

  Visits - I visited Guildford AGM with Allgood Senior on a very rainy July day.  It would have been a fantastic event – and what a great track and facility - ground level and raised following a sort of squashed “dog bone” shape.  The trade stands were good – even had Reeves, Blackgates, Myford, College Engineering and several other good names.  Worth a visit but, 1) don’t go on a rainy day and 2) it was a 240 mile / 5 hour round trip.  More recently, a car full of us went to the Ascot show.  Excellent venue apart from narrow display area for the most historical / interesting models – LBSC, Cherry Hill, our own Ron Jarvis…..etc. And the Midlands show saw just Glen and myself take the long trip to Leamington Spa – a great day out and it certainly appears to have fired up Glen – there is no holding him back now!

  Ebay – There is one problem with Ebay, and that is when you see a bargain you get tempted.  For those of you that I haven’t told already, I was looking at what to do after the Burrell is finished (actually I have about 3 things / sets of small castings already).  Should I do a MJ Engineering 7 ¼”  Bagnall – no it looks too much like Sweet Pea.  Should I do a Blackgates Sweet William – no it IS a Sweet Pea just bigger.  Well rumour has it that, to be a Chairman you have to build a Chairman’s loco.  So there I was scanning Ebay and what popped up – a set of laser cut frames for a 7 ¼  Hunslet called Lilla!!!!  I guess I now need to contact John Marks and see if I can borrow his patterns.  I picked up the frames from the seller at the Bristol Show and have  just bought some copper sheet for the boiler – ¼” thick plate is heavy to send by post especially as it was 3’ x 2’!!!!!!!  Anyway one has to plan for one’s next project doesn’t one - all I need to do now is to clear up the workshop to find more space!!

On the subject of Ebay if you have any sailable items you would like me to try to dispose of – in aid of club funds please speak to me.  I cannot guarantee I will sell anything and everything though!

  Communication - Just to clarify – the whiteboards in the club room are for club use not just me.  Use them to inform the membership what is going on, who is leading a particular repair, maintenance, re-build, etc. For the rest of us please approach those people with any offers of help / assistance.  Also as we are track running on 1st AND 3rd Saturdays we all need to sign up for Track Marshall Duties.

  Oh well enough of my ramblings – thanks for all that you do.  I feel the club has some great characters with a good “spirit” which will hopefully keep us going over the next few years until our next major undertaking.  The time is right to work on brakes, driving trucks and maintaining the club loco’s……all hands to the pump!    -     (hand, axle or injector is OK but you must have at least two “working” or you don’t pass yer steam test)

Keep making the swarf – regards

Steve (Allgood).

 

Club website:      www.weymouth-dmes.co.uk

Secretary and Editor         chrisbird500@btinternet.com Tel 01305 836401