The Bristol Model Engineer
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Bristol Society of Model and Experimental Engineers The Bristol Model Engineer The Newsletter No 113 Summer 2016. Incorporating “Our Cog”, the BSMEE Technical Journal www.bristolmodelengineers.co.uk Editorial From the Richard Lunn Chair Norman Rogers The days are stretching as we head towards summer and as with every year before I sud- denly realise how much of what I had intend- ed doing during the winter months remains undone. Judging by the excellent exhibits at the recent ‘On the Table’ evening I must be in a minority and those familiar school report words ‘could do better’ are ringing in my ears. From the write up elsewhere in this edition Firstly, many thanks to all those who have given me feedback re- you can appreciate the diversity of topics that were presented. garding the last newsletter. Any comments will always be wel- In recent months we have lost three friends from within the Society come and will, hopefully, help me to improve the newsletter. with (Scotch) Frank Gribben, Owen North and David Harding all Thanks to the contributors this time and for any whose articles moving on the great workshop in the sky. have been held for the next edition. Scotch Frank had been the reporter from Begbrook for many years I would also like to thank those members who have volunteered to and Begbrook attendees will remember him busily writing away occasionally compile the reports on the Begbrook meetings for me. even through the darkness of a screen presentation with the aid of a I thought if a few of us take it in turns then it won’t be too onerous small torch. Frank was equally at home at Ashton where he would a task. turn his hand to whatever needed doing on a Friday with carpentry Talking of Begbrook, I think the meetings hosted by our own club being an obvious favourite. Then on public running days he could members have been very successful and well worth attending. I often be seen keeping drivers and trains in order from the signal hope the informal “Show and Chat” evening on 6th July will be box. equally successful. Unfortunately, I won’t be there myself as I am Owen came to the Society in more recent years and volunteered to away that week. be our programme secretary at the 2013 AGM and produced a rich Some further information on club meetings from David Gray and varied programme of speakers including himself on the subject which I didn’t have room for on the page 15; of car restoration. Owen’s particular interest was in model rail- For details of times and location go to BSMEE’s website at ways but that didn’t stop him enjoying the bigger stuff as well! www.bristolmodelengineers.co.uk, click on CLUB, and select Many would regard David as a mainstream model engineer; some- CLUB MEETINGS from the dropdown list. one who always had something on the go in his workshop, a regu- For latest changes to the programme go to BSMEE’s website at lar at the Begbrook meetings and running his engine at Ashton, www.bristolmodelengineers.co.uk, click on CLUB, and select often along with his family. It was evident from speaking with EVENTS from the dropdown list. Alternatively contact David daughter Gillian that the club meant an awful lot to David, a senti- Gray. ment that I’m sure many can identify with. The Begbrook meeting for 1st June has been confirmed as “The Their passing is a reminder that sooner or later we will all have to history of the Beachley to Aust ferry” given by Tim Ryan includ- leave our workshops and models behind or because of failing ing footage of the working ferry and the rescue from Ireland of the health have to sell them on. Of course it may well be that there is Severn Princess with an update on the status of it’s restoration. someone who will want to keep your models, the workshop and its contents but otherwise what do you do? From personal experience With the Thornbury Exhibition looming I needed to get to print at I know how helpful my mother’s notes were to me when it came to the right time to include the Exhibition Newsletter, for which I am clearing her house so I’ve copied her example by creating a list of also responsible, in the same delivery. This has meant me having models and machinery along with realistic values. It’s also worth to chase the inputs for both publications but we got there in the indicating possible disposal routes be they specialist dealers, inter- end, thanks to all concerned. net outlets, advertising in the model engineering press or club The club entry and stewarding rota forms for the exhibition are sales. Anything that helps friends and family find a good home for also included so please return them as soon as possible to make it the things we once held dear can only be a good thing to do. easier for the committee to finalise the exhibition preparations. Planning for the exhibition is now in full flow and the Exhibition I also wanted to get this edition to you in time to publicise the Newsletter is included with this edition of The Bristol Model Engi- naming ceremony for our new workshop at Ashton. It will be neer. As always there are lots of roles to be performed to make the named after Geoff Sheppard and the unveiling, which will be at- exhibition a success so please offer models for display and please volunteer to help during the exhibition. One theme this year is the tended by members of Geoff’s family, takes place during the Club th Day on Sunday 19th June. It would be nice to see a good turn out 175 anniversary of the GWR, another is an emphasis on Model from club members to show our respect and gratitude to Geoff for Making so hopefully many of the club and other stands will be his many years of service to the club. more than a static display. Even if you can only help for one day that will be well appreciated by Steve and the exhibition team. Finally, please continue sending me further articles for the maga- A new initiative is the Online Notice Board that is e-mailed to zine. My contact details are in the club address list, my email is those who have provided their e-mail address. The hope here is to [email protected] phone 0117 9679644 or 07432 710040. get messages and information instantly to as many in the Society as is possible, so that we all know what is happening and feel a A final thought; If at first you don’t succeed, sky diving is proba- little more connected. For the few members that don’t received the bly not for you. (Derek take note!) Online Notice Board emails we may have an error in your email address or perhaps we don’t have an email address at all. In either instance please contact me at [email protected] so that your address can be corrected or added to the circulation list. It’s been Here is what can reported by one or two recipients that they only get the ‘Dear All’ happen if you at the start of the message, the rest is blank. If anyone else has re- don’t take your ceived similarly blank emails then please let me know so that it boiler testing can be investigated. seriously! As always if you can help run the railway on a public running Sun- day that would be great and don’t forget the other track and club events that are in the diary for society members to enjoy. Continued in column 4 2 Railway Manager’s Secretary’s Thoughts David Giles Report Derek Todman We are now well into the new public running season, with the usu- There has only been one Committee Meeting since the last News- al mix of fairly indifferent weather. However, it has only been on letter which covered quite a few topics and I will summarise the the most recent Bank Holiday Monday (02 May) that the duty main conclusions. manager had to call a halt due to the rain and cold. Let’s hope the gods smile on us more favourably for the rest of the season. The Committee has agreed that there will be a separate key for the workshop. If you need a key, then see Phil Bridgway, the Work- The introduction of the signing – in book has been received with shop Manager. The primary reason for this is purely and simply very little adverse comment, and now comes as second nature to that we want to make sure that only members who can use the ma- most of us. There has been a very interesting spin – off which was chines have a key and the Society minimises the risk of members not originally envisaged. This has been that we can interpolate not familiar with the machines or their use injuring themselves. some basic statistics to show that on average some 30 members (Secretary’s note – if this course of action causes any problems regularly attend the Friday maintenance day, that quite often there please notify a member of the Committee so the problem can be are members on site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and that ap- addressed and resolved.) proximately 30 members attend on running days, either as drivers, helpers, or both.