This story is an example of the old adage ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, albeit a rather expensive one! My old Boxford model ‘A’ lathe was obtained second hand from a school and whilst at the school someone had tried to put it into back gear whilst still running. This resulted in the loss Read more about Modernising Old Lathes[…]
Gradient posts. Stick a bit of wood to a post with some nails I thought… think again. Gradient posts are signposts used on the rail network to indicate the ruling gradient to firemen and drivers. They appear beside the track and indicate the gradient and its direction (rising or falling), graphically, as a ratio. For Read more about Up Or Down Hill? Paul Hicks Provides The Answer….[…]
The other Sunday at Almondell Trevor & his son arrived to test their new 7¼” power bogie. It didn’t take long for the curious among us to have them both cross examined as to the where & wherefores of the project! Here, in Trevor’s own words is the full SP: ‘The loco when finished will Read more about Class 40[…]
After the shock of seeing ‘Hyperion’ heading to the scrap yard, I am pleased to report that the preservationists got hold of her and for less money than was spent on ‘Flying Scotsman’ she has been returned to good health. Later in the afternoon she double headed with ‘Morning Star’ which just happened to be Read more about ‘Hyperion’ Restored[…]
‘Hyperion’ underwent her four yearly hydraulic test which, I am pleased to report, she passed. However, the wet header gasket required replacement which meant the removal of the chimney, kylchaps, smokebox door & ring, main steam pipes & superheaters. Seeing her on track after the test she looked rather forlorn and sorry for herself, particularly Read more about ‘Hyperion’ – Last Journey?[…]
Robert sent in this update of his progress with ‘Maude’, it will be fine model when it takes to the tracks at Almondell. ‘This is the final assembly of the cylinders, it was a bit of a challenge to ensure all the ports aligned correctly. Some modification to the valve rods to enable me to Read more about ‘Maude’ ticks over….[…]
This years event was well attended with a good selection of members work on display. The range of engineering undertaken is quite amazing. Projects ranged from examples of precision machining and milling exercises undertaken by apprentices as part of their training which produced ‘novelty’ items through to a miniature petrol engine ‘Sealion’ designed by Edgar Read more about Bits & Pieces Evening & The Farr Trophy[…]
Our club is not all about making locomotives, civil engineering and track laying. Quite the opposite in fact. The opportunities on the site at Almondell to get involved with other interests are almost limitless. As an example, if you are interested in carpentry then we have numerous projects just waiting for you! Recently Robert turned Read more about Crossing Gates[…]
Not everybody can claim to have built a live steam model of a South African Railways 16DA pacific on their dining room table. Richard can! His recently completed model is due to make its debut at the Strathaven Model Society’s 2018 barbecue steam up. Enjoy the selection of photographs showing the progress of the build Read more about South African Class 16DA[…]
As model engineers we like to turn our hand to most things and Robert is no exception. The other week, taking time away from ‘Maude’, Robert decided that it would be an interesting idea to translate the 2d plans of the Heritage Centre and Museum into a 3d version. After much drawing, precision cutting of Read more about Architect Model?[…]
