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Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society |
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Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society |
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A return to this exhibition since last year. Could we show a different set of models? An empathic yes! We filled the main table with 5-inch models. Also spilling over onto another side table with 3-1/2 inch wagons, a Signal Box, and more photos. Dan's 3-D printed wagons and Signal Box proved highly interesting. Although small show we were busy throughout the day, so not much time for many photos.
This was a 'foot-in-the-water' for the club. Could we put on a large display stand at this distance? Would we get sufficient members 'manning the ropes'? Over two days? In the end it was a trial getting in and out of the hall, but with fortitude we did it. And showed off our club to a new audience. I often joke "it is hard work enjoying yourself".
Due to possible bad weather we were booked into Kingston Village Hall, or 'The Barn' where we have our normal winter Monday meetings. This also was the 50th year members Dave and Gina Pearson have put on a display at the Fete. Unfortunately this year we were not doing train rides, but with the display indoors, allowed us to show some smaller and unusual items.
A nice thing about being a member of a club, it is possible to run into members even when 'away from home'. So a private visit turns out to much more friendly. Over the last weeks of August, the Bluebell Railway were running their newly built Atlantic locomotive 'Beachy Head'. An historical occasion not to be missed, specially if big steam engines are your thing.
Some nice weather to remember the year by, so we 'played' trains.
The Sunday following "Visiting Clubs Day" is now an "Open Day",
where club members are encouraged to bring along different models
other than the usual locomotives.
..Although we also have some locomotives for anyone that want
a ride on the railway.
We were happy to receive many guests with their model locomotives from other model engineering clubs in Kent and further afield.
In July our Chairman Ernie Millard brought his new vertical boiler
to our Sturry Track, where it's safety tests could be witnessed.
The following weekend myself and Ernie put on a small display of
our club's models at the Festival of Models at the Dover Transport Museum.
⎘ Dover Transport Museum
Members of two local model railway clubs: City of Canterbury M.R.C., and East Kent M.R.C., were specially invited to 'play trains' at our Sturry Track.
Our club members demonstrated to small groups of one or two, how to prepare their larger scale live-steam locomotives: This included: filling tanks and boilers with water, laying the fire, lighting up, as and when adding coal. Useful tasks to be done while waiting for boiler pressure such as oiling round, checking valve operation. Then showing blower draughting, boiler water-feed systems, cab controls, drain cocks, et cetera. Yes it is a long list - it is hard work having fun!
And after all that, then take turns at driving; which is why this correspondant suspects we had such a good number of attendees.
Finally not forgetting how to dispose of the loco (dropping the fire, et cetera) at the end of the day.
The day was an experiment for us. Would anyone turn up? Would they benefit from the experience? Would they come again? We should not have worried, in the end it turned out well. And we will hopefully be doing similar again. After all we share the same hobby, only the manifestation differs slightly; we should not exist in little bubbles.
So, a big 'thank you' to club members willing come along on a Saturday and to demonstrate their own locomotives. Also to the tea and biscuits department, who gave that extra welcome touch for our visitors.
Now that we are running EVERY Sunday afternoon (weather permitting), here are a few samples from such afternoons. Readers please note the relaxed atmosphere and pleasent surroundings. If you wish to bring a packed lunch and bring the family, then please do so. Picnic and trains! Does it get any better?
The good chaps at ⎘ East Kent Model Railway Society decided they could host/squeeze-in our small-display tables at their Model Railway Exhibition, held on 4th May, at Birchington.
In what is now almost a tradition, the ⎘ City of Canterbury Model Railway Society hosted us at their Model Railway Exhibition, held in January at Saint Anslem's School, Old Dover Road, Canterbury.
Again, following tradition, the weather outside was poor. Although with our portable track set up in a small side access road, we had a good number of eager passengers, being placed immediately outside and visible from the eating area. So, many thanks to the brave club members who set up the portable track and gave rides to our many passengers over the two days.
