5199
 
Would you believe it was raining in Llangollen again?
 
After a bit of botching Max and I turned the steam cleaner/ pressure washer first into a flame thrower, then a smoke maker, and finally managed to make a steam cleaner. I am happy to report it stayed as a steam cleaner the rest of the weekend!
 
We worked until well after 6pm on the Saturday evening by using the floodlights, such is our dedication...or mentality!
 
Over the weekend we saw Neil Tiley, Ste Rodenhurst, Quentin, Mick Prior, John Kerr, Richard Cadge and David Huntbatch. The work was split between the 5199 cleaning, and preparing for Warley.
 
The wheels have now arrived at the South Devon Railway.... though there is still no sign of the tyres.
 
6880
 
We have been offered a drawing done by Andy Foster from the WSR which was used in the mogul/prairie 9351. He is happy for us to use it, a close study of it reveals it to be exactly what we want and is dimensionally correct when compared to a set of dimensions I took off Earlstoke Manor last year.
 
As this drawing is proven we are now sourcing quotes to complete this job. A Polystyrene pattern was used for 9351, and as this becomes wasted in the casting process we will need to remake the pattern before our own casting can take place.

Will Naylor

More passes are available for people who want to help on the 6880 stand please contact us ASAP if you can help out.

Laurence Waters, author of 'Power of the Granges' (ISBN: 9780860936107) will be at our stand signing copies of the book on Saturday Dec 1st at Warley Model Railway Exhibition (NEC).

We will have 20 signed copies on sale at £19.95.

If you can't make Warley the book is available through our Amazon link, and you get to help us out with a small donation!

5199
 
We had a wet weekend due the rain and a good soaking from the pressure washer. The hardcore few of Richard Pumphrey and myself, with Mick Prior joining us on the Sunday, got the jobs done, with a little help from the pannier tank lads, Mike Watts, Gareth Roberts (of the gala website) and Roger etc, who all lent a hand in removing the axleboxes.
 
Once this was finished we then found out the steam cleaner wasn't steaming, but was pressure washing. In the end it did the job of removing all the muck and grime from the five wheelsets.
 
The wheels were due to be collected today, the 15th November.
 
 
Stocking the stand
 
So far we have been quite successful in bidding on Ebay for collections of railway books to re-stock the stand, unfortunately for Hugh Shipton they all seem to need collecting in his neighborhood, we guess he dreads the phone ringing another with " can you collect?" or "how far from you is such a place?"
 
So a big thanks to Hugh for picking them up.
 
If anyone has any railway books, videos, DVD's or other salable items they would like to donate to us to help raise money for 6880 then please let us know. We are looking at Warley as a profitable venue, but we also have to keep in mind the next West Somerset Railway and Llangollen Galas.
 
6880
 
There is not much to report on construction, this time, but there has been some activity behind the scenes. Craig has just finished a new leaflet, this should be available for Warley, and B&Rs long waited DVD has now been passed to Quentin and myself for review. We are impressed, and are sure it will be well received. 
 
We will be returning to construction work in the new year, but will have to prioritise putting 5199 back together when the wheelsets arrive back from their re-tiring.
 
Richard said on Saturday "he's itching to get stuck into building 6880 again", I think we all are!

Will Naylor
 
 

5199
 
Every now and then (or our case all the time) we get together, enjoy a bit of banter, and get covered in muck. The 23rd-24th October was just such a weekend.
 
A big thanks to all who turned up and dived underneath 5199, the all being Quentin, Mick, Spud, John, Max, Hank, Ian and myself. The result was 5199 became a little cleaner underneath, and everyone's washing machines became a little more worn out due to the amount of dirt carried home on Sunday evening!
 
It was also a successful weekend in terms of jobs done that didn't need passing onto the full time staff, saving them a job, and us a few quid on the way. A final list of jobs was passed to Dave Owen, these include:

• Axleboxes modified to improve oiling up.
• Resleeving the front pony truck as there is too much play in the barrel.
• Some patch screws are to be fitted in the firebox.
• Fitting a new W valve and a live steam injector valve as the old ones are life expired.

 
I am pleased to say that the removal of all five wheelsets went without a hitch on the 7th November...
well no one is telling me if there were any so I assume everything went well!

She is now up on blocks outside the shed and there is a planned working weekend this coming Saturday, 10th-11th, so we can steam clean as much as possible before  the wheelsets go away to the South Devon Railway for re-tyreing.
 
So with 5199 progressing well we can turn our attention to 6880
 
6880
 
A drag box drawing has been supplied by the WSR and although not a genuine Swindon drawing it is taken off the 'limits and fits' book, and it may well do the job 'as is' or it may require slight alteration. A pattern doesn't exist as a polystyrene one was used so it is lost in the casting process.

Mick Prior has kindly taken on the role of Merchandising, with assistance from  Spud and Kerry. We now have the option of selling 'online' through the website, and the range will also be expanded. We are also stocking the stand with lots of railway books to make it more attractive when we are out and about. Mick has also placed an order for some 'goodies', but won't yet reveal what they are. Watch this space...

Will Naylor

6880
 
The patterns for the Hornguides are now finished, and the specifications for the metal is decided. We have three foundries identified as suitable for casting the guides, and will decide shortly on the best option. We are also now in the process of deciding if the hornties should bee profiled or cast.
 
5199
 
A successful Saturday was spent with Ian Massey, Richard Cadge, John Kerr, Steve Rodenhurst, Mick Prior and Spud removing all the outside rods. Well done lads. Unfortunately due to late arrivals, my ill health, and a Black five blocking the pit, only part of the brake gear was tackled, about half of it was removed. The rest will have to wait until next time, though I am trying to find another day or two free. Please contact me if you can spare a little time to help out,  we should have the pit inside the shed available this time.
 
Warley
 
First a few facts. Warley is the biggest exhibition in the UK, consider that Manchester hosts around 4000 visitors in a weekend, Warley hosts 18500,  with up-to 12500 on the first day!
 
Quentin has been in touch with the event organiser and it seems we are only allowed 6 tickets so......you know what's coming next.
 
Who can make themselves available?
 
Friday Nov 30, Sat Dec 1st. or Sun Dec 2nd.
 
Please state if there are any days you can help out, as we assume these passes can be exchanged and are not tied to individuals. The tickets go with the stand so it is a maximum of six people each day.
Friday is be set up day, the cab has to be in by 7am, but we should have more information soon. 
Don't forget there is also the Llangollen Railway Xmas do on the evening of Saturday, 1st December.

Will Naylor

Our online shop is now open. The first two items available are the Malcom Root painting, Second Chance, and Craig Tiley's drawing, The Vision.

Out branded clothing and other items will be available within a few days.

It now now possible to donate funds to the project directly from the website. If you want to make a contribution to the project, just click the 'Make Donation' button.

6880
 
The patterns for the hornguides are now complete, and quotes being sought with a view to making a decision on where we go for casting. We still have to check that the VAB approve the specified steel.
 
The Llangollen gala on the 25th-26th produced some surprising results. The timetable was very intensive on the Saturday, with a freight you could ride on and two autocoaches. The return of 44806 also went well. We all enjoyed it, and guess there was some inspiration from a certain 'other' gala that happened a few months ago. We hope this is the start of a new look for the Llangollen Steam Gala's!
 
The Grange stand was out in force and for the first time was not manned by Quentin, or myself (well not much!). At some during Saturday point there was the spectacle of Kerry, Emma and Heather dancing behind the stand, I was not there to witness this, but the almost all female crew netted us nearly £600 on the Saturday alone. This is one of the best day's 'takings' we have ever had, so we have to consider is this the shape of things to come? On the Sunday we lost Emma and Heather but acquired Das Spudmeister, John Kerr and a helping hand from Martin (Splitpin) Perry and raised a further £300. Thank you to everybody who helped out.
 
5199
 
We are now preparing for dismantling for the re-tyre. The first weekend on the 22nd - 23rd September, with others to be arranged depending on how things go. I know a few of us are itching to get our hands dirty again, so we should hopefully see some good progress.
 
We have just had a request for her to appear at the WSR in two weeks time, but after careful consideration we have decided to decline for a number of reasons, the tyres being the main one.

 
Dont forget Warley 1st 2nd December  
Will Naylor

Sorry folks, this news item appears to have not been published until 6th October. A simple checkbox to tick, and I missed it!

Webmaster.
 

Now available to download, Newsletter 10.

8 Pages including a Gala Gallery.

Download yours now if you do not have a printed copy.

Bluebell Visit.
 
The Bluebell visit was a fantastic day out for Quentin and myself, we were looked after very well by Lewis and Chris, the footplate ride on 9017, and a chance to drive being one of the highlights.
 
The 125 Bluebell Gala on the 11th and 12th August is now an event we are very keen to attend with the 6880 'Roadshow'.
 
I urgently want a response from anyone who can help out.
 
This will involve driving down Friday night and two nights camping. We will be based on Horsted Keynes station, footplate passes can be made available. There is a members train on the Saturday evening with the C Class and the Q1 doing the whole length of the line, possibly including the new extension. On the Sunday afternoon, following the cavalcade (where did they get this idea from?) the Bullied Pacific's are doing a 12 coach non-stop run.
It will be a long weekend and unfortunatly it is not all play as we have a stand to man, but you will be seeing the Blubell Railway at its best, and, if you have never visited before you will be seduced by its charms!
 
Please let me know ASAP if you can help out.
 
 
6880.
 
The Frames are now being riveted together in the workshops at Llangollen by Adam and Dan. The last time I saw them the front stretcher had been completed and they were working of the middle two, with the aim is to have all four finished by the end the week.

The patterns for the hornnguides should be finished very soon and we will be leaving it up to Dave Owen to source a foundry and acquire the correct metal specifications needed.

We are also working on a final design for the dragbox, and we have been given the option of a fab/weld, fab/rivet or a cast design, so we will have to make a decision soon on the best design.

The window has now been glazed on the drivers side (At Last!) with the new frame cast by the Earlstoke Manor group.
 
Working weekend.
 
The working weekend of the 30th June-1st July saw a good turnout on both days. The cab window was glazed, and as part of our 'giving back' initiative, two lampposts were dugout of platform 2 ready for rewiring and installing the new GWR patten type. The new lamp posts were given a coat of paint as well.

 
The container had a much needed clearout as too much time was spent looking for nuts and washers that were right under our noses.....
 
Ian Massey and I took a look at the boiler, we are hoping that it will be moving to the loco works soon to be prepared for de-tubing, we also see the wasps have moved back in so there is another little job to attend too as well!

Next working weekend is the 28th 29th July, as always everyone is welcome!
 
Gala 2 News.
 
The dates are have now been approved the next gala.......wait for it ........

18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th April 2009
 
Remember nothing is final yet, we will of course update you when we can.

 
Will Naylor

Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway Society Gala.

We have just got back from the GWRS Gala at Toddington. Thanks for the invitation and hospitality Mr Goodman, Ian Carpenter and all at the GWRS.

The 6880 stand now seems to be reaching another level. If you cast your mind back to when we first took 5199 to the GWRS we ran a stand for 6880 on the platform at Toddington with two boards and a safety valve bonnet! The bonnet and boards are still there......with 9 tables a HUGE gazebo (the 6880 tent), three 8' by 4' boards, a TV and DVD player, the 6880 game, and two nameplates, one wooden one and the real deal.

The 'crew' on the stand (Danny Hopkins)

The first time round it was manned by Quentin and myself, we are still there, but now with a lot more support. This weekend we had Ian Massey, Martin (Splitpin) Perry, Matt (the hat) Davies, Craig and Neil Tiley , Mark (Spud) Jones, John Kerr, Geoff Jones, Mick Prior, Emma Pedar, Richard Cadge, and David Huntbatch.

Consider that when we started on this journey building 6880 we didn't know any of them, and in fact the company was started with less than half this number! It just goes to show enthusiasm is infectious.

Overview of the stand (Q McGuinness)

We grossed around the £750 mark, but also saw three new standard memberships, and have reached number eight in the express scheme.

A big thank you to all who helped out.

Inside the 'tent' (Q McGuinness)

Invite.

We have been invited to the Bluebell 125 event on the 11th & 12th of August, and although it is some way away in time, and distance, we are planning on attending as this is 'new territory' for us. If anyone thinks they could give us a day or two to man the stand please let us know. Quentin and I are visiting the Bluebell Railway in July, and we will make a final decision on wether to attend. Don't forget the Warley Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC, we are taking the cab as part of the display! Finally we have also been invited back to the GWRS again in September.

The stand now takes a bit of floor space! (Q McGuinness)

Steel Steam & Stars II.

I was reminded by someone (thanks Craig) that it is now only 22 months until the next gala! I do not quite know if I am supposed to panic or think so what! We have some proposed dates in April 2009, and a whole load of ideas to make the next one even bigger and better, but we are willing to take on board suggestions, or criticisms. Don't be shy, let us know what you want.

6880.

Time is being taken at the moment to decide on the best way to construct the Dragbox. We will give you an update on this, and other progress very soon.

5199.

A new set of tyres has been ordered through the SDR, as soon as they land we will be pushing to get them fitted. Once this is done we will be able to see her hired out to other railways again.

Will Naylor, 4/06/07

To-do's and updates.

Now available, Steel Steam and Stars DVD.

Visit the shop for more details..

As we are a still catching up from the gala and we are in the middle of rebuilding the site the easy way of presenting some of the gala images is by simple links.

Here is the first from Christopher Ward, on fotopic.

With a second from David Dawson, also on fotopic.

Lots more to add!

Sorry for the messed up site at the moment. We had to change our hosting partner, and the ‘old’ site would not move in the way I expected it should, so we took the opportunity to start rebuilding the site from the ground up.

We hope you like the simpler ‘look’, and we hope you will get more from the site as new features are introduced.

There is a lot of work yet to do to put everything back in it’s place, and the easiest way to do it is one section at a time to minimise the time we spend ‘offline’. Please don’t worry if you see anything strange appear, or disappear, the main site will remain live through the updating process.

Don’t forget if you would like to see anything here, or make any comments the email address is at the bottom of the page, or you can use the new commenting button below.