With the running season over we can look back on a successful, if slow to build, session. The key seems to be publicity and we have to develop means of keeping ourselves in the public eye as we are not part of a regular catchments area (yet), as well as ensuring those that do come take away happy memories, come back again, and bring their friends. Running on one day when a football match also took place had little effect beyond showing that with the re-location of their pitch, we could operate safely at the same time. For the time being at least, programmes will continue to keep matches separate from running days. Grateful thanks are due to those members who turn up on a regular basis to help out, either on running days or work days, though we can always welcome more. The railway can be run with 3, but having more on site regularly does allow everyone to have a break, and even a cup of tea! This applies to Driver and Station Master duties as well as Stewards. Trains can always be run with Alan Miller’s petrol-hydraulic ‘Robin’ but it is noticeable that visitors much prefer to see steam locomotives in action, generally possible thanks to Tony Gosling’s and Maurice Hartnell’s regular attendances. A wider selection will always generate more interest even when running ‘light engine’ between passenger trains or under test in the sidings. For next year we are considering inviting other Clubs to a couple of our running days to either take part or just enjoy the facilities.
Progress on the ground has been slow and limited by resources with preparatory work in progress laying out a level crossing behind the north gate in our fence – for future vehicle access – and getting the groundworks ready for the embankment between the present north return loop and the level crossing site. From there on much of the track will be at or very near ground level over most of the area fenced in earlier this year. The initial alignment is dependent on the point needed to turn out of the present loop which needs to be jig built to ensure it fits into the existing track. Meantime the station approach crossover between the arrival and departure track is to be moved to within the platform to allow this to hold 2 trains at once, and speed turn round of locomotives to try and avoid the bottlenecks that can arise when more than one train is in use.
Within the workshop, thanks to Don Hancock, the lathe, drill and a bench grinder (courtesy Nigel Gettings) are now all hard wired into a lockable main switch to limit possible misuse. Andy Cooke has made up and fitted guards around the lathe belt drives for protection, while Tom Dominey has produced and fitted a new micrometer dial to replace a badly worn one on the cross slide. The Club now has a basic workshop available for use on work days and to assist newer members in acquiring basic skills.
Outside, the mother and grandmother of our junior member Simon Gates have done some planting in the station flower beds with more planned, and Bruce Nottrodt has been nurturing some 200 shrubs and trees for planting either around the station yard area or along the trackside, for which we are very grateful. The ride-on mower has proved its worth in keeping the grass under control in our fenced off area - not sure about control of the drivers, Alan Miller and John Ross, but they seem to enjoy themselves – and we have now ensured that we can access the whole of our site from our side of the fence.
Design work is progressing on the intended Club locomotive, thanks to Steve Gosling, with some parts already having been made by other members Alec Hadfield and Noel Whiting. It is likely three Hymek locomotives will be built with the remaining motors in stock being used for other types by individual members.
Mike