On 26th November we held the annual Bits and Pieces night where members are invited to bring in a project that they have been working on, to put on display for others to view.
Also after viewing the engineering items on display, members vote on which item shows excellent engineering skills and the winner is awarded with the ‘Farr Trophy Award.’
There were a number of very interesting pieces of work but the one which caught the attention of the members was Trevor’s petrol powered chassis unit.
The Farr Trophy was awarded to Trevor Marr. Well done Trevor.
The photos below show the unit, minus the body. Next year Trevor will add the body transforming this into the front driving cab of an Azuma.
Second Place went to Kevan Shaw for his superb Corliss engine.
Trevor being presented with the Farr Tropy by Chairman James Robertson
The winner of the Farr Trophy, the powered chassis unit with petrol engine.
Trevor describes in detail the operational controls for the locomotive.
How it will look next year based on the front of the Azuma train. This will look superb.
The Corliss Engine came second built by Kevan Shaw
On the left a rack and pinion railway section. On the right a well detailed loco under construction.
A commercial copper boiler on display showing the all copper welded results.
A couple of items related to the paddle steamer Waverley. The yacht being carved from a piece of paddle float.
A selection of stationary engines.
Club Loco on display showing the current stage of the restoration.
Mr Farr and the Farr Trophy.
Who was Mr Farr
Member David Neale recalls ‘For many years the club secretary was a Mr James Farr who ran a garage at the top of Granton Road at the corner of Ferry Road. The name Richmond House is noted in some papers I have now found. The back garden of the house contained a raised 5″ and 3.5″ railway.
I first visited the railway in 1955 when a friend who lived locally took me.’
Further information comes from an article printed in the Model Engineer written by member Peter Rigby: ‘A member of some note during this period (1940’s) was Mr James H. Farr, who became Society Secretary in 1943 and who retained the role for 20 years. Mr Farr was a collector in the grand style of objects, ranging from military memorabilia through engineering items, clocks and locomotives to vintage cars including an early Bugatti! The scale of Mr Farr’s collecting can be judged from the following story. In 1950 a museum gifted an aero engine to the Society. The problem was that it weighed 18 cwt (914.4kg!), was 6ft tall by 5ft 10 inches by 6ft 6 inches and the Society would have to pay the transportation costs, then the princely sum of £8 10/- (£8.50). Clearly the engine would not fit in the Society premises, however Mr Farr offered to pay the costs if the engine could be included in his private collection, which was quickly agreed to by the Society members.’
The Society remembers Mr Farr each year via the Farr Trophy which is awarded at an annual model competition.
