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 7^th 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 off continuously, a really nice bit of kit. On the same day Paul Caldwell brought along his Flying Scotsman after extensive re-piping of the injectors this also turned out to be a great success. Paul has waited a long time to get this magnificent engine into a good reliable runner. As for waiting a long time for a reliable runner my Heilan Lassie returned from the BP Loco Works after re-piping the blower and a smokebox steam leak. We steamed her up and off she went after around four laps of the track – i then decided to open her up and blast through the platform guess what happened? the regulator broke off in my hand!! I managed to close it and that was the end of play. I have made a new one more akin to a standard regulator with a pull handle a lot stronger than the original.

Another feat of well planned engineering work was carried out on Wednesday 23rd of January (which was a very cold icy day!). It was all down to meticulous planning by Dave Mullholand and Craig Scarisbrick the whole of the bottom bend outside rail was lifted and relaid in one working session. Teams of two were employed removing rail, and bending rail and relaying a great job well done. Thanks to all concerned above all Dave and Craig. Paul Caldwell has now found a supplier for the concrete panels to finish the tunnel they will be brought to the site when it is deemed safe enough to take the machinery across the field.

Our landlord has renewed the entrance gate, on leaving you now have to pull a bit further into the road to close them behind you. The MMEX Exhibition (more details here of the event) is almost upon us I am reliably informed we have a good display of engines and rail wagons – any inquiries contact Brian Renton (club Secretary).

We have now been in our new meeting room for a full year where does the time go? Julian Stow gave us a fascinating talk on the Rail wheel interface I think everyone in the room learned a great deal from his talk. Our first “Bits and pieces night of 2019” was a sell out! for a miserable winters night the hall was packed lots of projects on the table to observe and discuss a truly great effort.

Patrick

 

Other related Daresbury Gazette articles:

• 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
• WDMES Committee Minutes – 9th October 2018

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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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Happy All Hallows Eve! A spooky time of year when model engineers start to think about hibernation and winter projects October also saw the start of our winter program of guest speakers. First off was Bob Hayter his specialist subject is the Tralee and Dingle railway situated on the south west coast of Ireland this particular railway is relatively unknown to most of those present. It was a very interesting talk especially the accidents that occurred during its operating career. Our next speaker Thursday 1st November is M Ross his subject is Different types of modelling so get there and grab your seat. More details of this event and future events can be found here To allow all members to consume the latest Committee Minutes, they are now uploaded to the website starting with Q3 (October) which can be found here - MS Word and PDF documents of the minutes ...
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