The ongoing story of what happens to the club........
6th of August, what are we doing at the track on a Friday? Well in order to make some progress with the new riding trucks we had an extra days work, welding the bodies together. Also the tunnel to the rear of the workshop was tidied somewhat.
5th of August, 8 ft of 25mm bar is turned into axles and then loctited onto the previously machined wheels, undercoat and a dollop of topcoat , hopefully this is the last of the wheels for a considerable time. For a change 10 drawbars, machined out of 16mm square bar and screwed 12mm. Eventually I shall return to doing some work of my own!
4th of August, Downpours, absolutely torrential, but there were three people there, then six and eventually about thirty of us. It rained, (001) stopped and then drizzled and a weak sun came out. North Scarle footy team played Eagle and were beaten, I think it was 2 nil. Percy got busy with the cooker and we all had a really good natter, Bob and Roy and Rod ran round. Rod testing his new engine that was installed the previous day by Bob. Chris tried one of the signalbox frames in position to see what it looked like.(002). Colin brought along a couple of Gauge 1 locos, a Black 5 (003) and a Class 66. John brought his newly completed Burrell, (004), but it didn't leave the car boot, a bit too wet underfoot. Terry checked out Chris' painting (005) and we all had a good feast (006). Dry it wasn't, warm it wasn't, a good night out it was!
3rd of August Chris, being a shift worker is able to spend time at the track during some days, so today he was there clearing the site of the new signal box and undercoating some of the timber.
Other people decided that it was time that the recalitrant injector was sorted, the problem being a passing clack, eventually it was mended, but as the loco was being put away, a small defect was spotted in the right hand leading driving wheel, it was starting to come off the axle. This may have been a result of the bang that was felt every time that the loco passed over the points at Heckington, (432 times to be exact). So the loco was fitted to the turning over stand, (see down the page to see it) and the axle removed, recourse to a set of pullers not used since car maintenance days and the wheel was off. Fortunately the wheel had been pinned to the axle, so there was no radial movement. Clean up, apply Loctite and refit wheel. Have cup of tea. it was at this time that the internals of the bearing were examined and found to be in perfect order, only then was it realised that the bearing should have been fitted to the axle before the wheel. However all was not lost, never believe anybody that tells you it is not worth the effort to make split bearings! So split bearing and fit, then it was discovered that the Loctite fitted to the wheel had run down the axle and entered the other bearing locking it up solid. So split and clean another bearing.
Whilst the wheel was out it was thought that it would be a good idea to give the wheels a skim, so the other two axles had to come out as well. All 6 wheels were skimmed and trued up on the tread, the flange leaves a little to be desired, in the next 3 or 4 years new tyres will have to be fitted,then the loco was rebuilt, not what I had planned for the day, but hopefully it will be OK for Wednesday.
1st of August, running day, althought not many booters, or buyers, apparently Whisby is now firmly established and appears to be stealing some of our regulars, the fruit and veg man a long time stander just inside the gate has abandoned us for there, according to reports. However running was carried out by Bob, Sam, using Colin's loco (Sam's garage being full of gear that prevents access to his loco, Sam "couldn't be xrsxd" to dig it out. Lawrence did a lap or two and retired with injectors problems, again. Chris carried on with the signalbox work in the sunshine and applied treatment to the cladding timbers in readiness for the next stage of the work by Roy. Then it was an early pack up, with Dave having counted up quite a reasonable sum for the day. A member of the public came in with an unidentified lump of metal that was part of something that he was unable to repair and Barry with a hammer and a nail and the knowledge of where to apply the hammer solved the problem to the delight of the man who donated £20 to the club. The trailer that the club inherited from Bill's estate has been sold and no longer resides at the back of the mess hut and some miniscule lengths of track that wre put on the scrap heap yesterday have been sold to Toby for a fiver, he has a better use for them than the scrap man.
31st of July, a busy working day, Chris and Roy attacked the previous day's delivery of timber along with the trailer load that Chris had brought with him. Electric chop saw and hammer and nails and two people working in harmony produced panels and ends of the box, not a bad days work. Percy applied himself to woodwork on the two almost finished new riding trucks, the rest put out the fence ready for Sunday and did some necessary gardening. The first and last points at the old station (both of which will be electrically operated once the signalbox is finished) have had their operating arms modified with not quite railway looking weight arms to enable them to remain in the open or closed position without creeping as was the case.
25th of July, Heckington Portable Track, the same crew as yesterday except for Dave, he did appear a bit tired. A very slow start, but it eventually got going. We did 216 trips up and down the track alongside the pop popping stationary engines, as compared with exactly 200 trips on Saturday along the dog show. Then after 8½ hours we had to stop and pack up. Undo all the bolts and lift the track into the trailer, drop the gazebos, put the signs away, the chairs, the table, the engine bits, the engines et al. Even the bag of coal that we asked the full size traction engine men for, the ones who run the saw bench at the Lincs Rally, we thought that we might run out as we had taken all tha tthere was at Scarle. Then another convoy of Terry and Mick to Scarle to unload, then home for tea and a lay down!
24th of July, Heckington Portable Track, scorching hot
day, very, very busy, Terry and Lawrence running with Rod, Dave, Ron and Mick supporting, plus the attendant ladies, in the end the best ever single days takings on the portable track. And we have to do it all again tomorrow!
23rd of July, Getting ready for Heckington, meet a Scarle to laod the trailer with the additional track panels and the point, plus two passenger trucks, bags of coal, water etc. etc. Convoy to Heckington, meet Ron and Dave and Brian, lay the track, erect the gazebos, erect the fences, fill the water bottles, then drive home.
18th of July, Running day, the weather wasn't very promising as most of us got out of bed and most of the booters must have thought the same, a lot of green to be seen on the field, however as the time passed the clouds cleared and Bob, Lawrence and Ray enjoyed their time, passengers were understandably thin on the ground. Ray got bored very quickly and handed his loco over to Ron to have a play with. Dave was busy doing two boilers tests, one for Andy and one for Dave and his 4F. Then around noon, it was "See you on Wednesday" (committee meeting) or "see you on Friday" (track laying at Heckington)
17th of July, Portable Track, one of our regulars, All Saints School at Hykeham, attended by Roy, with his Class 33 and Rod + Maureen as the backroom staff, transport courtesy of Dave's van. A rewarding day considering the weather.
At Scarle, only three people, the fence was readied for the running on Sunday, extra track was prepared for us at Heckington next week. We run two engines there and have a set of points and two "platforms", it gets that busy. Percy applied black and blue (paint that is) to the next two riding trucks, they now just need the woodwork and upholstery fitting. The concrete on the level crossing had an emergency repair made, in line with the road traffic, it is starting to get a bit worn and will probably need completely relaying after the Boot season. Only one dog on the field and it managed to walk on the wet stuff.
24 hour run; money is still being collected, and is almost all in, we shall shortly have the full amount and then the amount collected will be published, apart from the fun of running the amount received so far has made it all worthwhile
10th of July, Portable Track, yet another annual event, why so many annual ones, well we have learned (the hard way) which events suit us and those that don't, so in order to maximse income and reduce the effort involved by those that do it, we tend to only accept bookings for the events that we know. Boultham Park is always a good one, can never remember it raining and of course there is the historical attachment to the Park. So usual procedure, one car towing trailer full of track, another van with riding truck and other paraphernalia, another with loco in. Lay track, set up gazebo, collect money, remove everything and go home. Blisteringly hot day, fun in the sun!
4th of July Running Day, 4 engines running, Sam, Ray, Bob and Keith, it seemed to be a quiet day, again too hot to bother to come out, but the money bag was filled to a reasonable extent.
27th of June, Scarecrow Day in Scarle, another annual event, at the last car Boot one of the villagers asked us to if we could give rides on the Scarecrow Day. People build a Scarecrow in their front garden and they are judged etc. So we provided 2 engines, Bob's and Terry's on a very hot sunny day. It is nice to be included in village events and shows that we are accepted as part of the community. After three hours we had given rides to exactly 2 people, so time to pack up and go home to a cool drink.
26th of June, Portable track, another day of confusion and chaos, Fosseway School one of our regular annual events from 12.00 'til 16.00, except that when we got there the times were 11.00 'til 14.00. Mad panic to get steam up in Andy's loco and get the track laid. In the end we were only 20 minutes adrift.
20th of June, Running day, what a difference a day makes, sunshine and crowds of people. Sam and Ken or Sam and Colin or Colin and Ken double headed, which has up to now been a unique spectacle. Colin's engine having recovered from the minor stoppage that prevented him from fully enjoying the 24 hour run. Lawrence, ray and Steve also ran on a very busy day. The school was unable to take up their bucket so we had to do it, shame as it was such a good day! Jordon who we all know has joined the club and was seen driving at least two locos, it will be nice to have a local person in the club who can keep an eye on things in the week.
19th of June, Chuter Ede School, Balderton, Newark, Portable Track, did we have fun!!, No, too cold, too windy, not many people apart from that it was a blast. The Advertiser took more pictures, don't hold your breath.
18th of June, Newark Advertiser, after the paper's photographer taking hundreds of pics at the 24 hour run, all we got was 2 column inches, no pics.
17th of June, midweek madness...What seemed magical steaming along the side of the track at midnight was not as much fun when in the week the hedge needed trimming and weedkiller had to be applied all round.
The weekend of the 24 hour run: On Friday the first caravans arrived to stake a good spot on the field and on Saturday morning it looked like a minature caravan rally. Setting up started in earnest, a gazebo across the track in the old station to act as the Control Centre, another at the new station to be the "office" for selling of raffle tickets and selling teas and coffees for visitors, this was to be the place where the ladies spent their time working for the cause. By 11 o'clock the place was buzzing and a briefing was held to explain to all and sundry was was planned.
Terry had spent hours and hours organising the logistics of the event, in other words who was to run with whom and at what time. A complex rota had been devised. Unfortunately, half way through the previous week, Sam pulled out with a family problem, last Saturday Toby pulled out with an electrical problem, and on the Sunday John pulled out with a hydraulic problem. This meant that there were large holes in the running rota, head scratching and work with the pencil devised a new rota.
Drivers were arranged in pairs for periods of an hour with another loco on standby in case of failure. One loco carrying the baton, the yellow helicopter, would lap and then a member of the pit crew would transfer the baton to the partner loco which on an adjacent road was already rolling.
After and hour locos and drivers were changed and the process repeated. In the gazebo a double entry system of lap counting recored individual drivers laps and the aggregate total and a large display counter revealed to all how many laps had been done.
Also during normal hours there was another part of the rota for passenger donation giving running. All sounds simple, and after an hour or so everyone had got the hang of it and it ran like clockwork, well almost like clockwork.
There were of course, moments of despair and disappointment mixed with an almost surreal event.
I will try at this point to describe some of the main events in the following 24 hours, but scribbled notes on the back of an ever changed rota sheet, fatigue and the times recorded on the digital camera not corresponding to real time mean that there will be errors and omissions, I apologise in advance to anyone who feels slighted as the report gets vaguer, events get omitted, and the facts go completely out of the window!
So at noon on Saturday, North Scarle celebrity Barbara Wells accompanied with Chairman Rod flagged off the first train, who happened to be Bob partnered by Colin. We had started on time and to the relief of Terry so far so good.
Then Colin's regulator handle snapped off in his hand, apparently this was the first time that this had happened to him, not that this would stop the event, Mr Mole of Mole Grips fame came to the save the day. John as standyby had taken over.
After the completion of the run the remants of the defective handle were removed and Andy took them home to effect a repair, this is not the last time that the name of Andy will be mentioned.
The next couple were Tom and Roy. You can see in the picture the handover procedure for the baton as Ian sprints to pass it from Tom who is now stopped on the main line to Roy who is rolling on the inner loop.
The Helicopter, made by Percy slotted into a purpose made holder that is strapped to one of the Brake trucks. Ian performed this task without a break for 23 hours, however the sprints degenerated towards the end into a stroll, hardly surprising. As the changeover happened the points had to be changed and x-ing gates operated, and the loco on the main line backed into the loop.
Tom had fitted new bogies to riding truck and they didn't like the points at the new station, so he came off and went home to fetch his other set of trucks.
Keith with his Warship Class diesel hydraulic came on and accompanied with son Ryan who held the baton took over.
As the running was proceeding, Mick was in the field with his rather splendid Burrell giving rides in John's trailer. Keith in the form of Ryan who was now driving shared the next hour with Lawrence who had been passenger hauling.
Visitors to the field by the public were disappointing, the fact that other people had arranged events to clash with ours may have been to blame, England in South Africa, the LeMans 24 hour run (copying our idea) GrandPrix in Canada etc. etc.
Andy (his name again) had been passenger hauling but was highly dissatisfied with his loco so as Rod was being interviewed by the Newark Advertiser Ray and Colin were loading Andy's loco into his boot as he went home to rebuild the valve gear.
Around quarter to seven we brought up the 100 laps. The photographer from the paper spent some time taking posed photos in the steaming bay and wasn't too keen on me taking photos of him.
Next to fail was Rod's loco with a sudden stop of his engine whilst waiting to take over, his cut off switch deciding to do what cut off switches do and cut off, easily rectified though and Rod was able to carry on.
As John's Garratt had failed his boiler test Mick brought his 5" GWR pannier tank as replacement loco, but a combination of circumstances including a house move in the last few days meant that there had been no time to prepare and as a result he was unable to take to the road, poor Mick he was quite disappointed as a result.
The portable TV was brought out for those interested and we cheered ourselves up watching England do a lot worse than us. Ray and Colin were running around by this time, as yet another failure happened.
Tom had brought his old bogies and fitted them to his riding truck and upon raising steam saw water coming from his firebox area, a search with a torch, as it was now starting to get dark revealed that his firebox tubeplate was very wet with certainly one tube weeping heavily.
The first fatality to have happened at the track ocurred in the early hours when Andy (Spikey/Sonic/Railkiller) in total darkness ran over and killed a hedgehog just after passing through the x-ing gates and running along the hedge side. Apparently it is not an easy thing to diagnose in the pitch darkness. You would have thought that having a hedgehog between your driving and trailing coupled axles would have been easy to spot
It was around this time (I did mention that it would start to get vague) that the next failure happened. Colin was unable to raise steam, threw out his fire and built a new one, still no success and despite trying again in the morning he was unable to run again.
Next failure was Lawrence who after running for three hours earlier in the day, at 23.30 two laps into his next stint, couldn't get injectors to work, but after stripping down and removing whatever it was that was in there was running again at one in the morning.
Half past two in the morning, Terry cooked us all bacon cobs, Percy having stocked the messroom in advance, never have they tasted so good. Time was now beginning to take it's toll as one by one people had to go to sleep.
The experience of running round in total darkness can only be explained by those who have done it, absolute magic, but it was surprising for how short a period it lasted after less than a couple of hours the light started to rise and the magic had vanished.
Darkness did create some special pictures. With the failures of motive power and in some cases, bodily failure the rota was in tatters a piece of barely decipherable paper, but with fortitude, resolve, stoicism, ingenuity and the will necessary to keep the baton running we made it through the night. Then at about a quarter to seven the heavens opened, luckily for Rod, he then failed, an engine mounting shearing off, so he was in the dry. Bob had taken over and then along by the exit gate, he ran out of petrol, but managed to keep it rolling and pushed his loco helped by those who had the energy to run to his aid.
Bob's body then decided that it had had enough and he practically sleep walked to his car, Chris took over and having no wet gear had to improvise to keep dry.
The rain eased off and Andy went through at 07.35 for the 300th lap, Andy starting to look at little worse for wear. People reappeared, Mick got the Burrell out and slowly a few public drifted in, we were now trying to second guess the final lap count, as nothing else went wrong, 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock came and went, many of us were "hitting the wall" how much longer? was an oft asked question.
As noon approached, all the available locos were arranged to follow the loco through on the last and 375th lap, Terry being in place for that honour and local man Nigel flagged us to a stop.
Final act was a picture of those left standing at the end, hats off to all who organised, and helped, and drove and made tea and contributed to what in the end can only be described as a very successful event.
How far did we go? 375 laps, around 137¼ miles How much did we make? Don't know yet, but when I know so will you, fund raising is almost of secondary importance, more was the fun that we all had out of it.
Friday the 11th of June, been to see Les in hospital, he has had a pacemaker fitted and will be out next week.
Thursday the 10th of June, We have been told today that Les has been taken into Lincoln Hospital after collapsing at home with a heart problem. I'm sure that we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Sunday the 6th of June rain, rain and more rain, we were no different from everyone else in the country, it chucked it down. To give you a clue we were happy to have taken £2 in passenger fares. Sam never left the mess hut, must be allergic to getting wet, or perhaps he had more sense than the rest of us! In the end, Ray, Lawrence and Bob ran round until it became too much to cope with. Was it fun? Course it was!Saturday the 5th of June another warm day saw Brian checking over the three new brake trucks, bedding in the brakes and making the necessary adjustments, the work to install the latest signal was completed, including the fact that Bob spent 5 hours in the week on it, it may not look much when finished, but it took a lot of doing to get it right. The crossing gates were worked on again, the new timbers that were installed between the rails earlier in the year appear to have swelled to the extent that they were fouling some locos that have a small clearance. Hopefully this time it will have been the last time that we need to do it. Charlie the new Polly loco was put through its paces and managed to go further round a lap each time. Etch primer was applied to two new riding trucks in readiness for top coating next week.
Wednesday the 2nd of June, normal monthly meeting, no special event just a run through the minutes and then time to natter and discuss, the only item of importance was the presentation of the Memorial Award, presented to Les for his work in the restoration of the club loco, well deserved. It was also decided to dispose of the club trailer, used for transporting the Adams. Reportedly a good tower, in good order working lights etc, not fitted with brakes, no spare wheel. If you want it contact either Rod, Terry or the email address above and state the price that you are willing to pay, if no member wants it, it will be disposed of by another means.
Saturday the 29th of May, the weather man promised rain and he was right, hence the use of the gazebo. First job was to remove the remains of the limestone pile that has been there since the planned extension to the kids play area at the entrance gate, abandoned several years ago. The pile is causing difficulties with grass cutting in the area. Some was moved into the fenced area and the rest went into Chris' trailer. Next job was the planned repair/alteration to the track on the outer loop at the old station. Last Sunday the heat caused the track to have a severe adverse cant. The remedy (hopefully) was to cut the track in four places and fit extended fishplates and weld them into place with the correct amount of superelevation. this was done under almost continuous rain, only the welder received a small shock. A small wiring repair was made to a damaged power supply point in the steaming bays and the supply extended to the new (third new) signal which will protect the two trailing points as you leave the steaming bays, it is hoped that this signal will be done and working by next week.
Sunday the 23rd of May, even more stinking hot than the day before, but crowds, hundreds of them and it was our car parking day, this resulted in a jam packed field and queues for rides. It also was the first day that the new loop had seen any real sun, result, a very adverse cant, two pway men were recruited to correct the fault, but soon realised that it needed more than just packing. We considered not running but decided to carry on and proceed at caution. Plans are in hand to rectify the situation next Saturday. Holmside, Deltic, Sam, Ray, Bob and Steve all running, Chris manning the "signal box" and Hayden at everybodies beck and call, Percy hading out bottles of fridge water to passing drivers, nice touch. The sun was too much for one old lady, Paramedics had to be called and then a full ambulance turned out. The ladies did a sterling job on the exit gate with the bucket, in the end a very heavy bucket, assisted at times by Ron, Mrs Ron and Steve. Les, Rod and Andy H doing the car parking duties, A very satisfying day.
Saturday the 22nd of May, stinking hot, nobody in the mood to do any work, so the posts were put out, a loco ran and tested the brake trucks, a scrap run was made and a bit of painting done, too hot, just too hot
Wednesday the 18th of May, following a detailed examination by one of the boiler inspectors and then discussion at the subsequent committee meeting it has been decided that the boiler of the club loco has been condemned, so for the time being the loco will be reassembled and displayed in a glass cabinet, with a plaque remembering the generous donation by the late Bill Wright and the sterling work done by Les, until such time as its future can be determined.
17th of May, Midweek work... The repairs to the club loco's boiler have taken longer then expected, not due to the amount of work, but because of the hundred and one other things that turn up and move higher up the priority ladder. The boiler has been externally cleaned and a set of plugs made and fitted and a squeeze put on it. This revealed one or two minor weeps on stays and a damp area in the smokebox The stays have now been repaired with Comsol, but the smokebox has not been attempted yet. this is a difficult area to clean with all the nooks and crannies around the tubes and the wet header. Having had several years of soot, coal and oil baked on it is quite "gungy". It has been attacked with a pressure washer, paint stripper, pickle and wire brushes, in order to get it clean enough for Comsolling it may well have to go and be shot blasted.
Sunday the 25th of April, 3rd public running day of 2010 You would not believe that the weather could have changed so much overnight. Not many booters and not too many passengers, still we all had fun, nothing really exciting to report.
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