Steady progress has been made with extending the embankment down to the site of the future level crossing where the foundation has been prepared. This whole area at the north of our site has also been tidied up to improve access to our ballast and soil heaps as needed. The Culmhead Saturday gang has made good progress with the two points needed. These points are curved to fit into the existing curve of the loop line, and the gang was particularly gratified to find a good match when testing alignments on site with the first after preliminary assembly. Thanks are due to their efforts and to Andy Webb for his preparatory design work on his computer.
Within the shed we are gradually getting our materials storage organised to make better use of available space. The water pipe has been connected to give us a supply inside, and a sink is in position and awaits plumbing for washing without having to traipse across to the pavilion. Following an appeal made at a recent TME meeting, the lathe has been equipped with a 4-jaw chuck thanks to John Wood. Thanks are also due to John who has generously donated to the Club an Oxford industrial welding set, which with a fabrication bench made by Andy Cooke will enable local track construction to start in earnest. We do have need of a 36” steel cabinet for storage of oils, grease, etc. should any members know of one going spare please.
The running season opened on Easter Monday when we welcomed some 200 passengers to the track. The Recreation Field Committee had also arranged an Easter Egg hunt on site that day and we gained riders thanks to a leaflet advertising this and TME they had delivered to every house in Creech. Two trains were run with three locomotives steadily most of the afternoon, during which the re-sited arrival crossover and extended platform proved their worth in keeping things moving. Subsequent running days have been quieter, in part due to inclement weather but we are finding more visitors are aware of our presence this year. We have also had several enquiries from potential members and now have the nucleus of a junior section which is turning out regularly on running days.
Latest arrival at Creech—John Wood with his B1 “Mayflower”
Thanks are due to the TME members who also regularly turn out on running days and ensure operations go smoothly but we would like someone to come forward to look after provision of tea and coffee on a regular basis please.
Mike
Method – take two men – one to be dressed in a HiViz Vest (the Nail Holder) so that the other man (the Striker) can see him.
The Striker must first pick a bunch of Pussy Willows – an old Creech custom which he then holds in his left hand as a Lucky Token as it is said that this will ensure that he does not hit the Nail Holder with his hammer when attempting to strike the nail. The Striker then to pick up a Sledge Hammer with which to hit the two inch nail. Small hammers are only for cissies at Creech.
One blow with the Hammer and the nail should be in. The Striker is then free to put down his bunch of Pussy Willows and the Holder may take off his HiViz Vest. Job completed.
If any member with a 7 1/4” or 5” Gauge Loco would like to run his Loco at Creech when there is no public running, then he may do so on the second Tuesday evening of the month during the summer or alternatively, 'Rambo' has kindly agreed to open the track at any other time, provided that he is not otherwise committed. He can be contacted by Email through our Webmaster, or at Club Meetings or by telephone though any Committee members - telephone numbers on the inside cover of this magazine - to make arrangements.