Weymouth and District Model Engineering Society

                 The Newsletter   February 2008

 

Bird’s-eye View

 

  Well time is flying by as usual and I am late with the newsletter ….again. As I sit down to write this, the in tray is empty, but hopefully there will be something in it by the time you read this! What I do have are a few nice photos …………….

The main news since the last newsletter centres round the Events Calendar for 2008 – it looks like being a busy time! Not only has Neil Edwards’ “School Fete” campaign paid off, but Dave Riches is proposing a model engineering exhibition at Weymouth Museum in December. Needless to say, all of these events will require considerable time and effort by the members and I know that Neil is already signing up the teams for the public running. The proposed exhibition – which was such a success last time – will demand time and effort on quite a different level and in the already busy month of December. If you can commit now to help with this, then please talk to David so we can finalise the decision.

  The last three months has seen real progress with the track point mechanisms thanks to Gordon and Ray,and we continue to learn and develop the subtle (or maybe not so subtle!) art of Track Marshalling. I think that we are all very well aware of the dangers of operating steam locomotives – but the Track Marshall has the responsibility for the safe operation on the day so remember – his(her) word is law!

  And the picture? Well I just like it! Trad’s Maxitrack out smoking Len’s converted Bren Gun Carrier (only the rear wheels are original!) earlier this month.

 

In Steam

 

Now the plan was that Neil was going to write the steam-up reports for when he was ashore – and he did – on his new home computer. Problem is that he is on an oil rig somewhere in the North Sea.

  So we have been continuing the twice monthly steam mornings – though the numbers have been a bit thin on the ground - I have yet to modify my car to take steam locos and John Cooper is not into lifting at the moment. And then there is the weather. So I will concentrate mostly on the New Year’s Day steam up when we learned a number of lessons – not least of which was that Steve can cook excellent pies as well as BBQ-ing.  We had a good turn out on a cold bright day. Neil gave lots of rides to the ladies behind his Class 08 and I just trundled round a bit behind my “Cocker Pug”. Gordon had his battery diesel running too, but steam was represented too by Nigel’s LSWR 4-4-0 (pictured in silhouette right) and the club Wren fired up by Robert. Steve had Sweet Pea steamed up too, but I’m not sure that he had much time for running amongst the cooking and other happenings. And Keith ….well Keith had a bit of a bad morning - but luckily is now none the worse for it….I think I will leave it at that!

 

Thanks to all who helped with the various activities and ‘events’ and especially to Neil, pictured left looking very cool with his glamorous passengers, whose athletics demonstration will be long remembered by all present!

 

February’s first steam up was a mainly Traction engine affair – Trad and Ryan exercised the Maxitrack and a small Willesco (and rumour has it that they are at work on a 6” scale version). It was great to see Len’s creation sail through its hydraulic test and then its steam test. And then there was Juliet………

 

 

 

Juliet

 

Many months ago, when the last newsletter went to press, Freddy Hudson was already deep into his relationship with Juliet (the 20 + year old 7 ¼” Club loco for those who do not know). And it was not going well – each time one thing was fixed, another went wrong. The regulator, the dome seal, the regulator again, the blow down valves, the regulator again ….and so it went on. Until one Tuesday evening, Freddy and the team had stopped every possible leak and the excellent boiler was able to show its colours by passing the hydraulic test. This photo shows that moment of triumph – is that a tear of joy in his eye?

But then it was time for all the plumbing to be sorted – with help from John Cooper and others, her pipes were renewed and her fittings fettled. All that was needed was the all important steam up to be followed by the official steam test.

Well as I write, I can report that the first steam up test was not an unqualified success. We fired her up and proved her excellent steaming abilities – and indeed she was steaming “fit to bust” - when the dome seal blew. At least we were able to demonstrate our fire dropping techniques. As she was cooling down, I snapped the next photo which I think is worthy of a caption competition (for members only)……………

 

Let me have your suggestions (printable please) for a suitable caption ………

 

 

 

Coming Events

 

Budmouth Open day

 

The College is having its open day on 15th April and Steve has asked us to run the railway on that day. Details are to be confirmed but it is an all day event so volunteers are needed as usual.

 

School Fetes

 

 Neil’s initiative to mail out to the various primary schools has had an excellent response and I know that he has co-opted Nigel Garrett to come up with a volunteers list so that we can guarantee a team on the day.   The proposed list, which is not confirmed, is:

 

                        Sat 14th June – St Andrews, Preston             Fri 27th June – Beechcroft, Weymouth

                        Sat 21st June – The Grove, Portland              Sat 12th July – Radipole, Weymouth

                                   

           

Westham Celebration

 

The Westham Community Orientated Problem Solving (Westham COPS) initiative is aimed at improving the Westham community and image. This year is 125 years since the area gained its identity and they are planning a celebration at Westham Junior School on the 26th April. Keith spotted this in the paper and I have been in touch with the organiser. It looks promising if we want to do it.

 

Weymouth Carnival

 

The new organisers have been in touch, but I have explained the problems which have been compounded by their need for an up-front payment. So we will not be attending.

 

Club BBQ

 

Following the great successes of the last two years, we will be holding this event on Saturday 5th July.

 

Museum Exhibition

 

The Weymouth Museum have kindly invited us to stage an exhibition of Model Engineering for the whole of December. There is no doubt that we can put on a good show, but the exhibition would be open seven days a week with the exception of Christmas day and Boxing Day. Dave Riches, who is also chairman of the Friends of the Museum, has volunteered to co-ordinate it but the availability of members for manning is crucial. Please let Dave Riches know if you can (or can’t) help.

 

Health & Safety

 

Over the past couple of years we have settled down to a regular routine of always having a Track Marshall in charge on running days. Our approach to this has always been relaxed and informal to combine safety with enjoyment for all concerned – and at the November committee meeting it was agreed that this is the right approach. However, for this to work there have to be hard and fast rules that everyone understands (and therefore do not need to be reminded of on the day!). The operating guidelines are available for all to read in the blue folder in the club room and it is necessary for all drivers, experienced and novice, to be familiar with these. In particular :

 

 

Internet

 

The last few months has seen some of the last few die-hard non-computer folk move towards the internet age. John Cooper is the most advanced - he is as likely to be on Google Earth as on his Paddington! Ken Major had the equipment but not yet the skill, and one Ralph Allgood is keeping very quiet about his progress – but I am reliably informed that he is getting there!

So for all you web browsers, remember that the club website is on www.weymouth-dmes.co.uk and that it is administered and updated by Mike Jackson and family. Inevitably he needs material!! If you have digital photos of club events, please let him have them. The different layout of the Newsletter between the one on the website and the one  emailed to members is just a reflection of data formats not editorial interference by the Jackson family!

 

Membership

 

Four of our members decided not to renew this year – Richard Butt, Jonathon Neal, Colin Valance and Jack Stroud. Jack, who suffered the tragic loss of his wife last year is, I understand, considering giving up his model engineering. Whatever he decides, I am sure we all wish him well.

I shall be producing the Member Contact List next week so if there are any changed details, let me know.

 

 

 

Members’ Projects No 1 - What is 16mm?

 

 OK this section is a HINT that you can write about your project here or give me the bones and I will write it. As usual, I will attempt to get this reluctant ball rolling!

 It will not have escaped the attention of the regulars at the club room that your newsletter editor has got into 16mm – but I am often asked: What is 16mm? Well it is NOT toy trains as one Googling member suggested! It is one of those strange metric/imperial hybrids that only the Brits could think up. It is Narrow Gauge loco’s built to the scale of 16mm (ish) to the foot and running on 32mm (O gauge) or 45mm (Gauge 1) coarse scale track. It is normally run on layouts landscaped into the garden and much of it is live steam. There are many manufacturers of loco’s rolling stock, buildings etc and the products range from simple and toy like up to fine scale, coal fired locos. Check out http://16mm.org.uk  or www.roundhouse-eng.com to see the sort of thing I am talking about.  Since the last newsletter I have built a 120 ft landscaped line in the garden and had huge enjoyment practicing my rookie skills restoring an old loco from the 80’s. Particular thanks to Gordon and John Cooper for the huge amount of help with my first boiler making project.

  So why bother? Well it is great fun – it can be as simple or as fine scale and complex as you like and, most important, you can pick the loco’s up! The one pictured is my latest project which is converted from a basic starter loco bought on eBay. Let me know if you would like to see it in action.

 

Bits and Pieces

 

Allgood things….

 

…Come to a SUDDEN STOP! Well at least it feels like that at times.  The traction engine is so close and yet I just don’t seem to get out into the workshop.  This hobby/interest of ours is supposed to be a Winter one – isn’t it?  My workshop is not the friendliest place on a cold winter’s day.  Either I or it needs a good dose of insulation – do you remember the “Readybrek” advert?  I suspect that one of those  heat sensitive cameras would show up my workshop glowing bright orange with all the heat loss!!!

But cold is not the only problem :

1)       I am trying to play a bit of Volleyball again as it keeps one fit….well except when I hurt my back,

2)       When I hurt my back I can’t get to play Volleyball OR get in the workshop, and

3)       I can’t get in the workshop ‘cus there is too much stuff that I need to clear out or to sell on Ebay or take to the tip,

4)       but I can’t clear the rubbish as it is too heavy and I’ve hurt my back doing weeding at school by the track bed!!......

  Do you get the gist of the problem?  Thank goodness it’s Half Term this week so that I can make a start on something ………. “now which do I start on first?”   “Bother, I can’t do any of the above ‘cus I’ve got to write something for Chris (for you lot) so that you can be impressed with another copy of the amazing WADMES Newsletter”.

  So here goes… I can’t play Volleyball tonight ‘cus the back hurts so I will see you all later…. decision made – simple really isn’t it?  (You know reading drawings is much easier than deciding what to do on a cold winters day)

  Keep making the swarf or whatever it is you do! Best wishes, Steve (chairman)

 

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

Secretary and Editor         chrisbird500@btinternet.com Tel 01305 836401