BMEG

Volume No.16 Winter Issue 2007-8

      Volume No.16 Winter Issue        2007-8

THE HERITAGE CUBE PROJECT

 BMEG is situated next to the Beamish Archive Building and is surrounded by a Museum filled with historic artefacts. Not surprisingly we are interested in railway and model engineering history. Some of our members such as Jim Mountjoy and Ken Swan with railway relatives have collected a considerable number of photographs and other materials. Others such as Jim Duncan and Bill Crackett have been associated with final stages of the ship building industry. In addition John Moore has kept a unique photographic and video record of the development of a 7¼" gauge railway and Rack Railway.

 Heritage cubes in the Archive Building

The Heritage cube scheme has been developed by Beamish and Tyne and Wear Museum as a service to local groups with an interest in local history. The Cubes are aluminium boxes stored within the archive centre in secure surroundings. We are grateful to Helen Barker the collections access curator for encouragement and guidance. The contents remain in the ownership of the submitting group who are encouraged to display their materials to the public with the assistance and expertise of the museum staff.

SHAYS UNASSISTED RACK ASCENT

 The rack railway at Beamish Museum is unique in the length of steep track (1 in 9 to 1in 11) over a length of some 600 feet, of which 450 feet is rack fitted. While Koppel has no problem it is at the margin for adhesion-only locomotives. At our official opening Richard Gibbon with his Wren made a brave attempt but had to stop before finally reaching the summit.

Alan Bowran passing the signal box and under the bridge

 The 7¼" Shay built by Alan Bowran of Carlisle ME group has long been an object of admiration. We were delighted to get a request to attempt the rack gradient, and on Saturday August 7^th the first successful non-rack

The Shay prior to ascending the rack.

ascent of the Beamish Cog railway was achieved. The only modification required was the removal of the "cowcatcher" rails which would have fouled the rack teeth. Alan wisely declined the offer of a second run, perhaps reflecting that even a little oil on the track might turn a triumphant ascent into a fiasco.

TANFIELD RAILWAY GALA

 Jim Mountjoy has been a member of Tanfield Railway for many years. He persuaded Ken Swan that we should take part in the Tanfield gala weekend. (15/16^th September). The rest of us took part because we are more or less in debt to Jim for his painting services, (just joking). The event over two days was highly successful.

The Charlton Photograph collection and Neptune designed by Ken Swan

 We had an indoor track of about 30 metres on which to run John Moore's battery "Krokodile". Steam was forbidden within the Tanfield new and magnificent Carriage shed.

Jim Mountjoy's Traction engine (L) Ron Soulsby's Traction Engine

MIRIAM HARTE

 BMEG was sorry to hear of the resignation of the Director of Beamish Museum. Together with Richard Gibbon she performed the opening of the Rack Railway in the 23^rd. of September 2002.

Thanks to Norman Smedley for the photgraph

Since then Miriam has been a frequent visitor to our site full of cheerful encouragement. Our best wishes for her future career.

In memory of Mike Holt

Mike Holt took a great interest in BMEG. He was the owner of colourful and highly functional 7¼" Wren (Imp) with a splendid rack of slate wagons which he allowed us to drive at the Rack Opening.

Michael Lax a long time friend and colleague has written the following appreciation.

 "I first met Mike when he joined the Tyneside Society of model and Experimental Engineers in 1972 when he was transferred by his employers, Guardian Royal Exchange from his home at Lytham St Anne’s to Newcastle. Many a happy hour was spent with Mike at TSMEE double heading trains with his 0-4-0 ‘Atlas’ loco and my 0-6-0 NCB loco ‘Wellington’ After a couple of years he accepted a new job  with HSBC (formerly Midland Bank) where I also worked. His promotion within the bank to a very senior level never stopped him from keeping in contact with me and treating everyone he met as an equal. He was a genuine gentleman.

 In addition to the Ajax loco ‘Atlas’ that he built, he also finished the Wren loco ‘Imp’ that his father, Don, had started and it was with this loco that he regularly attended the Beamish open days, together with the rake of  slate wagons that he constructed. During his time in Newcastle he also completed the most magnificent 16mm garden railway in his garden at Shotley Bridge, constructing his own loco’s, carriages and buildings. When he moved to his new home at Rufford in Lancashire he soon made the addition of a 7 ¼" gauge line of some

A youthful Mike driving his”Imp”

considerable length. Thanks to his skill and hard work and with the help of a few dedicated friends a new club was formed and the track became the base for the new club, the Whiterose Model Engineering Society. Mike was a member of the Wigan MES and The 7¼" Gauge Society.

 It is a sign of Mike’s courage and commitment that only a fortnight before his death, he made a trip to see all his friends in this area, despite his illness. The many friends he made from his working, social and modeling days were reflected by the great number of people that came to say farewell as he made his last journey. Mike Holt died on 13 June this year shortly after his 60^th birthday.. Our thoughts are with his Wife Ann, his Son and Daughter Paul and Susan, and his Brother John."       Mike Lax.

PROJECT PROGRESS

• TURNTABLE
• The main problem with our adhesion track that because of the head shunt we have to reverse every other circuit. An oval track is impossible in the area so the only solution has been a turntable. With completion of the Archive Building an area is available for this development. Much of the ground work is now complete and the main turntable has had a trial rotation.
• The site is close to a busy visitor area. The site surveyor was John Lambard and the brickwork is by Bill Crackett. We have had a remarkable variety of suggestions for our building from floral clock to chimney. Also a lot advice from passing bricklayers, one of whom came over the fence and showed us how.
• 
• Precision bricklaying by Bill Crackett
• HOLBROOK LATHE
• Lathe enthusiasts will understand our excitement when a Holbrook Lathe was donated to Beamish in extremely good condition, with a good range of accessories and attachments. After some sharp negotiation we were able to move it into the main workshop. Unfortunately so far we only have only a single three jaw chuck. We are having some difficulty finding a D1-5 backplate to allow us to fit a four jaw.   These are the Camlock type with 6 pins on a 4.12 inch PCD. Let us know if you have one!

• Holbrook Lathe with D1-5 camlock chuck
• RED WORKSHOP
• The outer transformation of the old carpenters shed is now largely complete. Inside we are fitting benches and modifying two Guyson Blast cabinets (thanks to Robin Hedley). Since the shed has single phase only we have had to fit new compressor motors. Our first trial produced so much noise and vibration that a lean-to outside has been built.
• 
• WATER TOWER
• Progress is slow but steady. Both Jim Duncan and Jim Mountjoy are determined to get an authentic appearance but finding the right materials can be difficult.
• CLOCK
• The station clock is under the care Tom Curry whose meticulous brickwork forms the base. We are grateful to John Moore who purchased two fine wood encased station clocks from the North Yorkshire Railway.
• CARRIAGE SHED

• CARRIAGE BOGIES
• John Lambard was almost at retiring age before starting 'hands on ' mechanical engineering. Over the years at Beamish he has been involved with many projects including bridge components and track-work.
• 
• Bridge adjustment jig by J. Lambard now buried in concrete
• He has just completed his latest solo project, a pair of MK6 bogies. These are fitted under passenger wagon No. 8 allowing unrestricted use over the whole network. The yellow springs have been widely admired by nearly all the group.
• 
• John Lambard's MK 6 bogie

WEBSITE

BMEG is divided into those who use the Internet and those who have better things to do. However even a short search on Google shows that a lot of Clubs now have a Website. We have been able to reserve the website name BMEG.co.uk which we hope to have up and running soon.

Running Days 2008

 We are making plans for running days in the third week of June. (June 14, 15). These will be somewhat different to the usual in that we shall have an exhibition in the Heritage Cube Centre of the Archive Building which will be open to both members of the public( i.e. visitors to the museum) and BMEG visitors.

Visitors 2007

 Stephenson Locomotive Society.

 Jack Taylor, County Wicklow

 The Doxford Club.

We have only made one visit this year which was to our favourite club, Carlisle. Both Koppel and Wren ran although the later took for ever to get up steam. We blamed the Carlisle coal but to my shame later examination revealed that the funnel diameter was reduced to about ¼ inch with soot. As usual there was lively discussion, numerous engines in steam, and excellent food. Many thanks to Carlisle for their hospitality.