Well nineteen of us showed up for the AGM where, for some reason, I agreed to stand for secretary. Strangely I was unopposed…..I think I now know why……….. All the other members of the committee offered their continued services (some voluntarily) and were elected unopposed.

The meeting looked back over the various events and achievement of the past year but the two major issues discussed were the future of our Budmouth track and the need for diligence on Health & Safety.

The success of Budmouth College means dramatic expansion and rebuilding over the next few years – and that means the current track is in the way. Timing is not yet clear but it seems possible that we will lose part during the 2007. Steve Allgood explained that the redevelopment plans do offer a great opportunity to build a new track, on a much more ambitious scale, following the western boundary. This could result in an out and back line of some 1200 metres with some testing gradients. Such a line may be appropriate for public running – a method to help pay for the substantial construction costs.

All were pretty enthusiastic about this but the key questions are timing: when could we start – and security of tenure: how long can we be certain we will not have to dig it up again. When we have more information we will put together a full proposal. In the meantime – watch this space…….

On Health & Safety, Dave Riches reminded the meeting of the importance of observing the correct procedures on club running and public running events. His other commitments prevent him from attending many of these so it is down to us to make sure we follow the clear guidlines agreed by the committee. These are available in the blue file in the Club Room and all involved in running locomotives or road engines should ensure that they have read and understand them.

In Steam

The Club Barbeque was a sell out with over 40 members, family and friends and it was good that Joan Ellis was able to join in. The sun shone, the chefs were kept busy and there was plenty of running – both steam and electric. I was sorry to miss it – but there is always next year as it looks like this will be an annual event.

Chickerell Carnival turned out to be our most successful fund raiser this year. The sun shone and after a slow start the passengers just kept on coming – some to see and ride behind the Wren, but most, I suspect, to see John Clarke and Gordon Cocker modelling the latest in bowler hats. We made a total of £113 on the day and had a great time.

Monthly steam ups have all been well attended, with only September being washed out. On that occasion, however, those that did attend were impressed by the Chairman’s hi-visibility track marshall’s outfit, even though the only steam was from the kettle…..

The October event saw the Chairman in a bid to get on “Prime Time” TV by experimenting with a mega-dose of boiler treatment. The cameras sadly missed the spectacular site as the Hunslet’s boiler emptied itself in an immense cloud of steam and spray, but eyewitnesses say that both driver and loco were considerably cleaner after the event. As for the rest of us – we all had our come-uppance in one form or another as the gremlins struck – in my case it was discovering that it is no good shutting the smoke box door after the fire has gone out (the catch is now fixed!).

Our November steam up must have been the busiest so far this year, with the Wren back in action and Les and Diane Senior’s Romulus visiting from Huddersfield. John Cooper’s BR Class 2 passed its steam test and briefly joined the regular runners before being returned to shed. As a result of the stand at the Model Railway exhibition, we also had number of potential members observing the locos and Nigel Garrett’s traction engine antics. Oh yes, and as Track Marshall, I did a lot of flag waving (ably assisted by Diane Senior) and generally got in the way.

In Doors

The club room has been considerably enhanced by the loan by Barbara Hicks of a superb model Showman’s Engine,. This was built by her late father, Bob Coles, and is now displayed in a fine case built by Ray Read.

Tuesday evening continue to be very popular – sometimes close to half the membership attending. One highlight for me was an interactive foundry demonstration by the “Amazing Allgoods” and recently there has been quite a lot of engineering activity – see below – but mostly we drink tea and “chew the fat”. If you would like some more planned activity – such as speakers, videos or whatever – let me know and we will see what can be done.

Another indoor event was the Weymouth Model Railway exhibition – we had a good display of models and created considerable interest – with half a dozen coming back for more at the November steam up. Thanks as usual to Dave Riches and all who helped – and we might even manage a rota next year……

Engineering

After the Chickerell Carnival, the Wren needed a suspension overhaul – inspection revealed a collapsed bearing. Gordon Cocker took charge and with assistance from many members the bearing was soon sorted and the suspension levelled. A big thank you to Don Osborne who re-profiled the wheels. She ran beautifully at the November steam up …unlike Juliette.

Freddy Hudson, who had been tackling various Juliette problems over recent weeks, enlisted Jack Staines as supervisor in a brave attempt to try steaming her last week. Jack, who is not a member of the Juliette fan club, identified another list of problems to be sorted before the next brave attempt.

The turntable has proved to be a success and has enabled numerous locos to steam at the same time. Most of the spur lines are sorted – with the exception of one for dropping fires (are we really going to queue up to drop our fires there?). The main track continues to test the suspension of all locos, but has caused few actual problems.

Websites

Remember the club website is on www.weymouth-dmes.co.uk where you will normally find pictures of our Track Manager doing something unusual with a Sweet William…

Some members travel far and wide to join in the fun at other societies:

· See Robert Oldfield’s North London club at www.nlsme.co.uk

· See Les Senior’s Huddersfield club at www.hsme.me.uk

· And my Wednesdays are normally spent at www.essmee.org.uk

There will be others I have missed – just let me know. There are lots of steamy clips on www.youtube.com if you have broadband and loads of time. And finally, of course, www.stationroadsteam.co.uk is always worth a look.

Events

Firm dates:

December Steam-up - 2^nd December
Weymouth Victorian Night: 7^th December – we will have the portable track and the Wren on the quayside. John Marks (in high-vis Victorian outfit) will be co-ordinating the event so contact him if you plan to help.

Future events:

It is the Society’s 60^th anniversary in 2009 – if you have any ideas for celebrations/events to mark this (other than digging up the track…..) please let us know.
Visits – do you want us to organise visits – all suggestions welcome (you can tell I’m new to this!)

Insurance Matters

Yes insurance does matter – and just to clarify the situation, the club insurance covers us for Public Liability and Member to Member liability when members are running either club locos or their own locos at the club track or on the club portable track at club events. It does not cover members to run their own locos at home or at other tracks – though this extra cover can be arranged through our Treasurer, John Cooper for a small fee (for the insurance…not for John!). A summary of the insurance cover is in the blue folder in the club room.

Please note that members are not insured by the club for personal accident or for damage or loss to their equipment. If members wish to take out their own insurance, I have found Walker Midgley to be very helpful. They offer a scheme to meet most eventualities and are on 0114 250 2770 or www.walkermidgley.co.uk

Membership

Since the last newsletter, Jack Staines has accepted honorary membership in recognition of his contribution to the club over the years. Since then Jack has resumed loco driving – both on my Tich and the Chairman’s mighty Hunslet.

We also welcome new members: Nigel Hunt from Osmington, who has been a regular visitor on steam days and John Balston from Portland who is rebuilding a 3 inch Burrell.

Oh yes, member formerly known as Fred Hudson would like to be known as Freddy (or Frederick) – though with all his work on Juliette, perhaps ‘Romeo’………

Subscriptions are, of course, due – if you have overlooked this by any chance, please send your cheque to John Cooper.

Member Contact List

With this newsletter there is, at long last, a new Member Contact List. 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, then please return the enclosed authority form to me. If I have got your details wrong, please let me know and I will update you on the next edition.

Scrap Book

No this is not just about John Crusher Clarke’s various sidelines (though he made £300 last year – keep the high value scrap and cans coming please).

· John Clarke is still offering 4 cwt loads of firewood - contact John direct.

· As well as insurance, Walker Midgley also sell Grease Top caps for that authentic Loco Driver (or Village People) look. They are £21 including postage.

· I am trying to source some Heatreat 502 steel boiler treatment in bulk – let me know if you are interested. It will be £5 to £6 a litre.

· I learned from a miniature railway operator that the best oil for loco motion work is Morris Lubricants Compounded Bearing oil – available from Morris Direct Sales for £21.44 inc VAT and delivery. Contact Jan Gilbert on 01743 237512.

· John Marks is custodian of the Club Archive. Please let him have any photos, cuttings that you think should be in this important record. Hard copy please.

· Ralph and Joan Allgood are now settling into their new home and we wish them well. Some members will be helping sort the most important part of the move – the workshop - on the weekend of the 18^th/19^th November .

· There is an interesting new magazine: Miniature Railway available on subscription at £7.50 pa for three issues from David Henshaw on 01305 259998 or www.miniature-railway.com . David’s father ran the railway at Bowlease Cove.

· John Cooper likes a challenge and is tackling a part built, 5” LBSC Maid of Kent that has been under the Chairman’s bench for a few years. The prototype was the Maunsell L1 class 4-4-0 and John would appreciate any good L1 photos so that he can count the rivets……….

Well that’s it for now. I tried and failed to embed some photos – maybe next time.

Chris Bird

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

Secretary chrisbird500@aol.com Tel 01305 836401