This years Manchester Model Engineering Exhibition (MMEX 2019) was once again held in Oldham Greater Manchester. Brian Renton and Steve Hudson took charge of organising the WDMES Stand and made a very good job of displaying the club’s models. The venue is not very exhibitor friendly due to restricted parking allowances being enforced by the local wardens. But despite that I think we all enjoyed the weekend and a big thank you goes out to all those who contributed. You can view the Gallery of MMEX 2019 here

Just lately we have had some atrocious weather conditions (thanks to Storm Gareth), resulting in the loss of one Sunday track day (see The Daresbury Gazette Xtra for the inside scoop!), but luckily no serious tree damage from the extremely high winds this is in no part due to the tree maintenance by Andrew and Jake Marsh and other members who contribute every Wednesday Maintenance Day.

Wednesday 20th March See’s the start of Essential Track Maintenance, there are a couple of places on the track that are in need of urgent attention due to tree root subsidence so Dave Mulholland has put a stop order on any running between the 20th and 27th March pending completion of the works.

Thursday 21st March from 8:00pm is the AGM night – (at the St Mary Magdalene’s Church Hall, Appleton) The Annual General Meeting is open for all members to attend, please don’t forget your cheque books as your annual subscriptions are also due for renewal. More details of this event and future events can be found here

After the AGM, Duncan Webster will be selling loads of boiler fittings, taps, dies, copper tube. This is part of the ongoing clearout of Roger Hall’s workshop, very keen prices, bring plenty of cash!

Over the last few weeks the toilet block has received a coat of green paint and are looking very smart. Work has started on the tunnel extension, and the two supporting girders have been concreted into place. When weather conditions are dry enough to get the panels across the fields, work will re-commence. Dave and Craig have been busy repairing subsidence and re-packing sleepers to give a good smooth ride around the extension.

Sadly one of our members Bob Haynes passed away recently, and the funeral was attended by a group of our members to pay our respects on behalf of the society.

To end on a happier note Jake and his Dad (Andrew) accepted custody of the 5″ Gauge Britannia built by the late Arthur Hall a very prolific model engineer in the 1960/70’s – he could build engines faster than Vulcan foundry! Roger Hall had repaired the engine fitting a new boiler after a boiler failure ended it’s running days. But the engine appeared for a hydraulic test followed by a steam test and to the great delight of all who witnessed it, as it ran perfectly – all be it a small ‘chuff’ from the left hand cylinder, which on inspection was a very easy fix – a job well done by father and son.

Patrick

 

Other related Daresbury Gazette articles:

• Winter is Here! – February Edition – Daresbury Gazette
• Happy New Year – 2019 First Edition – Daresbury Gazette
• A Momentous Year – December Christmas Edition – Daresbury Gazette
• No Nesh Members Here! – November Edition – Daresbury Gazette
• 31st October – Halloween Edition – Daresbury Gazette

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Well here we are, we are now into February and still running and access to the track is holding up and days are getting longer! This Months edition of the Daresbury Gazette, we feature a photo of the Winter Snow at the Daresbury Track, many thanks to Roy Allen for braving the sub zero conditions to take the photo! Thursday February 7th from 8:00pm we have our next WDMES Talk about the 'History of Mining in Lancashire' by Guest Speaker: A. Davies (at the St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall, Appleton) - we hope to see many members at this event - More details of this event and future events can be found here Since the last Gazette we have a new engine on the block in the shape of a very nice 5ins Royal Scot belonging to Barry Purslow - as expected it ran straight out of the box blowing ...
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For the last couple of months now we have been looking back over the last year thinking it all ends as far as running is concerned in late November. But here we are in 2019 and we are still blasting!! This Months edition of the Daresbury Gazette, we feature Barrie Purslows Royal Scot at the Daresbury Track during its first outing, more details below within the DG! Thursday January 3rd from 8:00pm we have our first WDMES Talk of 2019 about 'Wheel/Rail Interface' by Guest Speaker and fellow member: J. Stow (at the St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall, Appleton) - we hope to see many members to bring in the new year - More details of this event and future events can be found here What a month December turned out to be, we've not missed a beat with Wednesday working days and they have been very productive, and as ...
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Well here we are 2018 rapidly drawing to a close with Christmas around the corner, as the cold weather starts to take hold at the Daresbury track. This Months edition of the Daresbury Gazette, we feature an 'icy blast' from the past - The Lion in Winter, taken in 1969 by J.W. Mercer at the Daresbury Track! Thursday December 20th from 7:45pm we have our final WDMES 'Natter-Night' of 2018 (at the St Mary Magdalene's Church Hall, Appleton) - we hope to see many members for a hot drink, a mince pie, whilst we watch a dvd of steam power and reminisce of past events - More details of this event and future events can be found here Looking back it's been a momentous year, and the weather has been fantastic allowing track running right up to the present time. The Cheshire Steam Fair 2018 was an outstanding success as ...
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Well November has turned out to be quite an exceptional month, despite the days becoming much shorter and the cold setting in - we certainly have members who are not 'nesh' during the cold months! Thursday December 6th from 8pm we have a talk by M Crabtree on 'Trains & Trams of Dubai & India', which should be a very interesting talk. More details of this event and future events can be found here Back to the report for the month so far, and November 1st we were entertained by Malcolm Ross with his talk on a Different type of Modelling - view the gallery here. Malcolm gave an insight into the speed racing of model aircraft on control wires the incredible speeds and technicalities of refueling were jaw dropping. I think everyone who attended the meeting that night went home with a totally different outlook on model aircraft. Our President ...
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