16

John Lawson Springfield extension final join

Springfield lives up to its name Judy Bullock

1

The

Coupling Volume 16 Issue 3 May/June 2013

The Official Newsletter of The Bedford Model Engineering Society

Peter Wilton’s demonstration Tony Bullock

Loch Treig and our German guests Judy Bullock

2

OFFICERS and COMMITTEE

of the Bedford Model Engineering Society

President: Jim Bassett

Vice President: John Saunders

Chairman: Alan Gildersleve

20 Walton Road, Caldecote, Milton Keynes, MK7 8AE

(Tel: 01908 646711); e-mail: alan-gildersleve@sky.com

Vice Chairman: Andy Warren

7 Sundon Park Road, Luton, Beds. LU3 3AA

(Tel: 01582 536305) e-mail: andywarren2@googlemail.com

Secretary and Membership Secretary:

Alan Beard

2 Brambles, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3ED

(Tel: 01234-743062); email: alan.beard1916@btinternet.com

Treasurer: David Boyde

21 Arun Close, Bedford, MK41 7AD

(Tel: 01234-406757); email: david.boyde@ntlworld.com

Committee: Peter Chapman Martin Cusden Vikki Dodd

John Lawson Shaun O’Hare Terry White

Coupling Editor: Tony Bullock

67 Coates Lane, High Wycombe, HP13 5ET

(Tel: 01494 439098); e-mail bullockt@aol.com

Boiler Testers: Dick Billington

29 Ampthill Road, Maulden, Bedford, MK45 2DA

(Tel: 01525 750914); email: dick.billington@ntlworld.com

Martin Cusden; Nigel Freestone; Shaun O’Hare

All appointments for boiler testing to be made only via Dick Billington.

Advertising Manager Vikki Dodd

Traction Engines and Road Steam: George Lee

145 Wingfield, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5UY

(Tel: 07910 421625); email: stephen.lee503@ntlworld.com

Website contact Alan Beard, 2 Brambles, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3ED

RAILWAY SUB-COMMITTEE

John Lawson (Chairman), Tony Bullock, Alan Gildersleve, Gordon Mead, Phil Wright, Mark

Leeson and Tom Fuller.

The Coupling is printed and distributed/posted by Alan Beard (01234-743062). Readers are reminded that any views expressed in The Coupling are solely those of the individual

contributors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or of the BMES

committee. They should therefore not be regarded as being part of Society policy. © Bedford Model Engineering Society

Bedford Model Engineering Society is a company limited by guarantee and having no share capital;

Company Reg. No. 4087828, Registered Office: 2 Brambles, Wilstead, Bedford, MK45 3ED

15

USEFUL TO KNOW—CLUB MATTERS

BMES WEB SITE

www.bedfordmes.co.uk

Website—Alan Beard—Contact details on inside front cover

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Held on the third Monday of the month in the Clubhouse.

CLUB MEETINGS

Held on second Monday of the month—check in The Coupling.

WORKING PARTIES

Wednesdays from 10am. Workshop and Library open.

Sundays from 9.30am—check if aiming to attend.

‘The COUPLING’ PUBLICATION DATES

Next copy deadline is 10th. July 2013 please!

SOCIETY SALES

The following items are available in the Clubhouse

Toys, Drivers’ Hats etc.

BMES Fridge Magnets—BR Totem design

Books—Still Steaming, Little Puffers and Tiny Trains

Club Clothing available to order—contact Tony Bullock 01494 439098

14

HALF SIZE BURRELL TRACTION ENGINE

Has He done it again? Steve Elliott drove around to my house last week on the

first road run of his new traction engine. Steve won the Duke of Edinburgh

award for his ploughing engine and I think that this new engine will win it

again.

The engine is a half scale Burrell Gold Medal Compound Steam Tractor and is

pressed to run at 200psi. Two pictures are attached showing it standing on my

driveway and it is an impressive and beautiful beast. Unlike his ploughing en-

gine, this is a commercial design, the first off and Steve has made a splendid job

of it. Steve had on that day received the road licence for the engine and was

making the most of the sunny day by running it around Maulden.

The engine has a good turn of speed and can accelerate faster from a standing

start than Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull. I was amused to see that one of the

pannier tanks carries, as did the full size engine, the statement "SPEED 5

MPH". When it left my house and when Steve drove it past later, 14 to 15 mph

would be more likely.

Steve said that he intends now to clean down the tractor for show presentation

over the winter period. I think that he will do well.

Dick Billington

LOCKS AND KEYS

The locks and key for the Fuel Bunker and Water Tower have been replaced

and the locks are attached to the Bunker and Water Tower. The key fits both

locks and is obtained from the Key Press on peg number 4. Please ensure it is

replaced in the Key Press at the end of the day.

Shaun O’Hare

3

EDITORIAL

.

Time flies when you are having fun and another couple of months have gone by

as another issue goes to press.

One often thinks ‘What can my club do for me? However, this month I think

we should turn this round and ask ‘What can I do for my club?’ Although there

are many varied interests I make a few suggestions for the coming months.

Traction Engine Rally June —Your support for George as a participant or

spectator will be greatly appreciated.

BMES Exhibition August—Bring some of your work along to show us all and

the public what model engineering is all about. Contact Vikki Dodd to let her

know what you are bringing along.

Visitor Rally August—Meet people from other clubs and exchange ideas.

Support Terry White at his talk on the Friday evening. Come along to the

Saturday dinner for a pleasant social evening with fellow members and our

visitors. Bring your partner too for an evening with no work just good

company.

These should cover most interests so over to you.

Tony Bullock

ROY THOMAS MILLARD

21.01.1928 - 07.04.2013

Roy Millard died on the 7th April 2013. He had been in poor health for several

years and had not been able to visit Summerfields for some time. His last few

months of life had been spent in the Putnoe Care Home where he had been well

looked after.

He had been a BMES member for many years and his interest was traction

engines, a hobby he shared with his wife Dorothy, his son and grandsons. We

knew him for over 15years and on running days he was always around doing

loads of jobs - he always emptied the waste bins and made sure the site was

tidy. In his latter years he sat in the buffet while Dorothy helped with the teas.

We attended a Service of Celebration for his life at the Bedford Crematorium

on the 24th April along with other members of the Society. We then went to the

Pheasant and joined Dorothy and her family and spent time chatting about Roy

and the good times we had had together.

Our thoughts are with Dorothy and we do hope we will see her at Summerfields

in the summer.

Phil and Shirley Wright.

4

COMMITTEE MEETING NEWS

A copy of the minutes is placed in the crew room and a second copy is normally

available at each Monday meeting.

July Meeting

The Hertfordshire Education Authority has transferred the ownership of the

Maid of Kent loco to BMES.

The bridge is now complete with no outstanding invoices on the project.

The committee visited the site to view the front barns and new workshop

complex in preparation for vacating the barns by the end of August. All the

heavy machines were in the new workshop, their final positioning still remained

to be decided.

Paul Crabtree presented a model of the Haynes End area of the site, from the

station across to the compound, as an aid to future planning for the new

clubroom at Haynes End. Ted said that from current experience he thought it

unlikely that funding for any replacement building would be available for some

time.

The society financial position is healthy. The total overspend on the Awards for

All projects is £1840

The incident at Winterfield on Wednesday 10th June, was caused by a

combination of several factors. Proposals to prevent such an occurrence in

future warning signs and a rule that all electric locomotives fitted with only

regenerative braking must have a train with separate braking. These were

approved and will be included in the new railway operating guidelines. The

requirement for spark arresters will also be included.

Now that the new bridge at Winterfield is in use, there is a need for direction

signs to show that the Winterfield site has three railways on it, not just one.

Use of the new bridge at Winterfield has caused confusion amongst passengers

and the ticket office needs relocating at a cost in the order of £200. A proposal

to proceed was agreed and will be conducted through the RSC.

Mary was concerned that non-committee approved expenditure had taken place

at Winterfield to build a fence around the old carriage shed. In reply Alan G

stated that this area had become very unsightly and the fence tidied up the site

considerably. This point was agreed by most of the committee. Costs would

not be refunded until committee approval had been given and passed via the

RSC.

Gates will be fitted at the level crossing to improve safety.

Ted said that the passenger survey continued satisfactorily. He stated that

Meppershall Mother and Toddler Group had confirmed a visit on 30th July with

some 30 persons coming. This visit was a direct result of donating a bundle of

tickets for use as raffle prizes to the group earlier in the year.

CLUB HAPPENINGS

Since the last issue of The Coupling we have had a complete set of a year of

weather. Firstly as Easter approached it remained bitterly cold with falls of

snow. Consequently our public running was cancelled. A few brave families

turned up in hope on Sunday and at least were able to have a warm drink.

Thoughts turned to the end of April and the next scheduled running.

Surprisingly the weather was a little kinder and we were able to offer a full

service to the public. It was still very cool but it was a successful day. The

following weekend was the May Day Bank Holiday. This was a real surprise.

Warm sunny days were in order and the public responded by turning up in large

numbers over both days. With a full service operating at Winterfield,

Springfield and Summerfields the club enjoyed a record weekend. It was good

to see Loch Treig running again after its long awaited boiler replacement. All

the hard work by members proving worthwhile. The Station Buffet was

completely cleaned out of refreshments by the end of each day. An innovation

on public days is a demonstration by one of our members of working models

made in a workshop. These are driven by air and presented at one end of the

Clubhouse. This created much interest by both adults and children.

The extension to Springfield has been worked on over many weeks and the final

connection has been made. Just the last section to be ballasted and it will be

open for business. At the same time the next section of steel beams for

Winterfield have been prepared and should shortly be put in place. Some old

pallets were obtained and broken up so that the Summerfields track could be

edge boarded to retain ballast. This is ongoing but where completed on the

down main looks much neater and tidier. The new section of the down main

below Rook Tree Crossing has bedded in well and the ride is greatly improved.

Repainting of the bridges over the ditch has started. Bogies on the sit astride

coaches are being rebuilt.

Storage in the Clubhouse has benefited from the donation of metal cupboards

and a filing cabinet. These are now in place and in use.

A group from a fairly local Town Twinning society were brought along by John

Polley one Sunday morning for two hours. They were German visitors and

their British hosts. All enjoyed the visit which provided train rides and

refreshments for them all.

I have avoided members’ names as I am sure I would miss someone out and

have no wish to upset people. No doubt there are many other projects I have

missed for which I apologise. Let me know these for inclusion in the next

issue.

13

2013 INVITATION RALLY WEEKEND

Our Annual Visitor Rally is scheduled to take place over the weekend Friday

30th August through to Sunday 1st September 2013.

The general format of the event will follow the established pattern and again we

have extended a cordial invitation to all our friends and fellow model enthusi-

asts to join us for a weekend of miniature railway enjoyment.

As usual Friday will be the welcome day and the railway tracks and the traction

engine road will be open for use from midday. Saturday is the Rally day proper

while Sunday is a public running day where all our visitors, if they so wish, can

run for the public.

Again we have camping and caravan facilities on site and they are available (by

arrangement) from Thursday 29th August to Monday 2nd September, though it

may be possible to accommodate tents and caravans beyond these dates if so

required. If wishing to camp on site please book.

Your help and support for the weekend is appreciated to make this a memorable

event for our visitors. We have included information on the meal arrangements

and it would be appreciated if you could let us know if you can help with the

event during the weekend.

We thank you in advance for your help and support at one of the club’s annual

events.

Mat & Gilly Rainer,

15,Chaucer Road Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 5AH

Tel: 01908 366198 (ans.)

email: mkrainers@btinternet.com

For a separate Booking Form in place of that printed here please contact Mat

& Gilly, our Secretary or the Editor. This will be sent to you direct on line

where possible but by post if the internet is not available to you.

12

Person

Cheque enclosed (payable to B.M.E.S. please) for £..................................

Please return to: Mat & Gilly Rainer,

15 Chaucer Road,

Bletchley,

Milton Keynes. MK3 5AH

Tel: 01908 366198 (ans.)

email: mkrainers@btinternet.com

Please advise if you wish to camp on site as soon as possible, as places are lim-

ited.

All members are reminded to sign in at Rally Reception, where all food tickets

will be issued.

Desserts 1 2 3 4

Lemon Souffle

Chocolate Roulade

Treacle Tart

Sunday Breakfast

Egg and Bacon Bap

Lunch

Ploughman’s

Meals and Times Cost £ No. Total £

Friday Supper 1800 5.00

Saturday Breakfast 0830-1000 2.75

Saturday Lunch 1230-1400 2.75

Saturday Evening 1800 8.75

Sunday Breakfast 0830-1000 2.75

Sunday Lunch 1230-1400 2.75

Totals

5

COMMITTEE MEETING NEWS

A copy of the minutes is placed at Winterfield and a second copy is normally

available at each Monday meeting.

March Meeting

David said that money held in the savings account is earning interest at the ½%

rate. The rent (£2450) is the only major bill still outstanding. Bedford B.C. are

again applying the discretionary rate relief resulting in a zero bill for rates.

John L reported that projects at Winterfield station are complete. The extension

to the Springfield line has joined the main lines at Wilton’s Wiggle and work is

in progress on the other arm with completion in about two months. New sec-

tions for the raised track are ready for painting when the weather improves.

Peter said that his work on the track circuitry was hampered by water ingress

and waterlogged sleepers

Shaun queried the safety of the new mower when it is stored in the garage but

the committee were content for it to remain there as it was fully insured against

theft. Alan B asked if we should consider inviting new vice-presidents having

recently lost Mike Maskell and John Crawley.

Mencap visits will be on Thursdays 1st and 8th August.

An invitation to host the Southern Federation Spring Rally on Saturday 17th

May 2014 was accepted.

Barbara Beard requested the hire of the hall on Fridays during school term time

between 1300 and 1530 for a woodcarving class. She would provide all neces-

sary equipment but would need a storage facility. She would supply a 4’ x 6’

shed to be located in the compound if space made available. David pointed out

that hire to local groups was offered as part of the deal to obtain Clubhouse

funding.

Peter was concerned about the gaps appearing between boards in the walls and

David was asked to contact the installers as the build is still under warranty.

Peter also asked if a small overhang could be installed above the double doors.

To be discussed with P Clowes.

Alan B reported that the website was taking shape but was far from complete.

Favourable comments have been received. It is not intended that there should

be an exclusive members’ area.

The fares have not been raised recently and a small increase was thought neces-

sary. It was decided that Summerfields rides will be £1.60 with a discount for 8

tickets, Winterfield to be 80p.

Mrs. Bennett offered to supply a bench seat for Winterfield in memory of Rich-

ard. Andy will deal with arrangements. Andy pressed for new furniture at

Winterfield. There was agreement that an upgrade was desirable but the current

furniture was adequate for the 2013 season.

6

COMMITTEE MEETING NEWS (Continued)

The committee confirmed the ruling that no boiler above 500 bar-litres will be

tested.

Andy and Alan B said that the compound was becoming a scrap heap and

needed early attention.

John P said that Monday 13th May will be a Bring and Buy//Stirling Engine

Competition//

Andy said that Nige Freestone would like to bring the 7¼” Society Rally to

BMES in September 2014. Members expressed doubts and asked for much

more detail, particularly in respect of funding to upgrade our facilities.

Andy wanted someone to take charge of operations at Winterfield on Public

Running days. S Shotbolt was suggested and will be contacted.

John Polley has requested a short visit on 12th May by a German group as part

of a twinning visit. Agreed.

April Meeting

Peter requested that he be added to the list of Directors.

Clubhouse walls. The vendors have advised that the situation should be re-

viewed after there has been time for the walls to have dried following recent

very wet weather.

7¼ Rally. Alan G has requested an on-site visit with the organisers to obtain a

clear picture of what is needed. The meeting believed that the final decision

should be made by the membership with the event taking place no earlier than

2015.

Work on the Springfield line is well underway. There have been delays with

the painting of steel sections but the matter has been resolved.

Haynes End canopy. Uprights are being adapted/modified. It is hoped that a

trial installation will be possible shortly to confirm heights.

The first mowing of the year has been completed and the site looks very much

better. The new mower needs a new drive belt which will be fitted asap.

A rental of £30 per session of the woodcarving class has been negotiated and

will produce an annual income of £600.

The website continues to show improvements. Paul has asked that members

visit the site and look at the Facebook section where there is the opportunity to

indicate approval. Ticks here improve BMES rating with Google. Peter was

unhappy with the colouring of the events page.

Following the scrapping of several wheelbarrows Andy asked if he could obtain

replacements. As they are essential to maintenance, approval was given with

the requirement that they be of building site quality.

Martin will contact Bradshaw’s regarding material for repairing the trackway.

11

BEDFORD MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY2013 VISITOR RALLY

Members’ Booking Form

Rally Dates are Friday 30th August to Sunday 1st September.

Please can you return this form no later than 31st July Your Details

Other People accompanying you.

On Site Meals

Please tick the boxes for the choices for each person. A ticket will be issued for

each meal booked. Person

Forename Surname

Address

Post Code Phone

e-mail

Friday Evening 1 2 3 4

Fish & Chips

Saturday Breakfast

Egg and Bacon Bap

Saturday Lunch

Ploughman’s

Evening Sit-down Meal.

Main Course

Lancashire Hot-Pot

Chicken Pie with Sage & Orange

Beef Daube (French Stew)

Pasta in Leek & Mushroom Sauce

PTO

10

CLUB EVENTS 2013

June

Sunday 9th Club Day

Monday 10th Lost Wax and Green Sand casting—Guest Speaker

Monday 17th Committee Meeting

Friday 21st Traction Engine Rally

Saturday 22nd Traction Engine Rally

Sunday 23rd Traction Engine Rally & Public Running

July

Monday 8th Designing & Testing Boilers—Dick Billington

Sunday 14th Club Day—To be confirmed

Monday 15th Committee Meeting

Sunday 21st Small Electric/Diesel Locomotive Rally TBA

Sunday28th Public Running

August

Thursday 1st Mencap Visit

Wednesday 7th School Holiday Running

Thursday 8th Mencap Visit

Sunday 11th Club Day

Monday 12th Barbeque Evening

Wednesday 14th School Holiday Running

Saturday 24th. Exhibition

Sunday 25th Exhibition and Public Running

Monday 26th Exhibition and Public Running

FOR SALE

5" Quarry Hunslet part built

Frames and a lot of the running gear finished with cylinder castings etc. to com-

plete plus barrel and copper sheet (weighing 15kg) for the boiler. Drawings and

Don Young build instructions included. £450 ono

Raglan Little John 5” Lathe. £350 ovno

1” through the head stock and 24” between centres.

Variable speed drive (new belts)

Single phase 1hp motor

2 Chucks and face plate

Dickson Q.C tool post and tool holders

Change wheels

Other accessories and documentation.

Contact John Parmenter 01234 381449

7

COMMITTEE MEETING NEWS (Continued)

With the improvement in the weather the work is now becoming possible.

Alan B was concerned that excessive speed by some cars would undo repairs.

The requested purchase of 20 tonne of track ballast was agreed. Terry said that

a ballast wagon would be a big aid to track work. Drawings requested.

Clubhouse floor. Terry recommended a suitable floor coating that could be laid

quickly once the nails have been hammered home. Alan B and Terry will carry

the matter forward.

We now have 3 ladies who have completed the Basic Food Course and their

certificates are displayed in the Clubhouse/Buffet.

WEBSITE UPDATE

A Guestbook has been added to the site. The idea of a guestbook is the same as

it would be in a hotel or a museum. It’s a chance for people to leave feedback

and tell others how much they enjoyed their visit.

The advantage to the website and ourselves is twofold. Firstly, if/when people

add comments they generate content for the website and thus ensure that it is

always a living thing with new things to look at – and Google likes this. Sec-

ondly, it gives everybody at BMES a little feedback on what people like.

Any comments will be moderated before they become visible on the site. So

anything that is overly critical, or embarrassing to members will not appear. I

anticipate that comments will be mostly very positive.

If the Guestbook is not successful it will be removed.

Alan Beard

Please visit the Society's website and tick the Facebook Like button on the

front page of the web site. If you do not have a Facebook account get sons/

daughters/grandchildren to click the Like button. This is very important, as

Google ranks websites partially on ‘social proof’ that the website is a good one.

Meaning that a website with lots of Facebook Likes scores higher with Google.

Currently the site has only around 12 Likes, which is very poor. Nearly two

hundred members should be able to generate 1000 Likes, easily. Particularly if

they ask friends and friends of friends to click the Like button.

You can of course open a Facebook account of your own. It is free and very

simple to do. Once set up, click the Like button and thereafter forget the ac-

counts' existence as I have done. You will not get weird and unwanted con-

tacts.

Alan Beard

8

THE COUPLING BY E-MAIL

If you have access to the internet please consider having your copy of The Cou-pling by e-mail. Every posted copy costs in the region of 55p. That is a bill of £50 every two months or £300 per year which could be put to better use. At least give it a try…...you can always say no and go back to a hard copy.

Alan Beard

MINIATURE TRACTION ENGINE RALLY 2013

Plans are coming together for our Annual Miniature Traction Engine Rally for

2013. This is a major weekend in our club calendar for enjoyment and socialis-

ing and for showing off our hobby to the general public.

To continue the rally’s success I need support from our members. I’m looking

at doing things slightly differently and having the rally as a gathering of friends

over the years. In the pipeline there could be 2 fire vehicles, an old tractor as

well as the various traction engines.

The rally dates are: Fri. 21st June

Sat. 22nd June

Sun. 23rd June

Fri. I will be on site by mid morning so if you’re staying with us for the week-

end then you’re most welcome to come over.

Sat. This is a visitors/club day. This is a day that friends and family can join us

and drive. I will also be organising the road run for about 16.00 down to the

local watering hole as in previous years.

Sun. This is the main rally day. The public will be on site and the railways will

be in operation.

Please note that this year we are unable to provide food as in previous years.

However on the Friday night there will be a fish and chip run.

If you would like to help or book a model or even just book in to spend the

whole weekend with us please contact me using the details in the front of The

Coupling. Also kindly let me know if you plan to bring a caravan or tent.

Thanks George Lee

The new MTE organiser

BASIC FOOD HYGIENE CERTIFICATE

Congratulations to Pat Mansell who has successfully completed the Food Hy-

giene course. Her certificate is displayed in the Clubhouse by the serving area.

9

MONDAY EVENING MEETINGS

Should anyone who missed the April meeting wish to view the DVD “The Prin-

ciples of Brazing” can borrow it from the club library. It runs for about 85 min-

utes and contains a wealth of information on the whole subject. (all joining of

metals above 550ºC is called brazing).

The June meeting on the 10th will be as advertised in the green booklet. “Lost

wax and green sand casting”. Ian Couchman our guest speaker is a road steam

man and used the techniques he will describe in the construction of his 4in.

Ruston Proctor.

The talk has raised quite a bit of interest among members so a good turnout is

anticipated. It will be a light summer evening so the problem of going home in

the dark won’t arise. Come along and swell the numbers!!

The next meeting on 6th July will be as previously mentioned in The Coupling.

Dick B is going to get us up to speed on the subject of designing and testing

boilers. Looking at a list of items to be covered it’s going to be a full evening.

It includes:-

Basic design and stress calculations

Use of copper and other materials

Superheating

Brazing and “glueing” techniques

How to please your Boiler Inspector during construction

Situation on selling boilers after completion

Boiler operation and test regulations

How to buy a boiler “without being stuffed” (Dick’s words)

Finally two items of news for late August and September.

TerryW will give his talk ”Manufacturing Rocking Horses” on the Friday eve-

ning of the BMES Locomotive Rally, 30th August.

Please amend your green booklet for September. instead of the DVD on solder-

ing Alan Marsden will introduce and show some videos of Gauge 3 (2½ in)

locos and layouts.

John Parmenter

MEMBERS’ INTERESTS SURVEY

It had been anticipated that by analysing the survey the Monday evening meet-

ings could be tailored to fit. Only a dozen members answered the appeal so no

further action can be made in this direction.