Happy New Year!

[grovenor-2685]

Saturday, 10 January 2009
Fylde Area Group

On Thursday the 11th of December, 10 members were treated to Tony Miller's talk and presentation on 'LNER Goods Traffic'.

We were shown the justifications for goods traffic and detailed background to the traffic flows, especially private owner coal traffic (including anthracite which could run anywhere). This led to details of the LNER wagons built specially for coal traffic, from Diagram 9 through to diagram 188 and the original NE hoppers from 12 to 20 tons (and eventually 40 ton hoppers). Followed by steel traffic around Scunthorpe and Frodingham and some of the specially constructed (war time heavy metal) wagons. Tony then covered details of various yards around the system including the rebuilding of Grimsby fish dock. He then focused on the rebuilt yards just before the 2nd WW at March Whitemoor, then on to Wath and Mottram.

A most informative and enjoyable evening was had by all present - Thank You Tony.

The next meeting is Thursday 15th January, please contact Mike Norris (details on blue sheet), should you require more information.
Posted by Mike Norris at 5:38 PM

[grovenor-2685]

Saturday, 7 February 2009
Fylde Area Group
On the 15th of January we held our first meeting of 2009. 10 members were present and we spent most of the evening in various topics of conversation, including Salt and Mustard vans and where they travelled and debated why was gunpowder sent to Bishopsgate (G.E.) goods depot circa 1928.
We also had a visit from a Barton Wright 4-4-0 which was reportedly having pulling problems, following a series of investigations identified a problem with 4 wheel truck, which was lifting the front of the loco and therefore the leading driver, significantly reducing the traction effort.

The next meeting is Thursday 19th February, please contact Mike Norris (details on blue sheet), should you require more information.
Posted by Mike Norris at 9:11 PM

[grovenor-2685]

Thursday, 12 March 2009
Fylde Area Group
On the 19th February we held our usual monthly run and natter.
There were 7 members in attendance, including a visitor 'Andrew Fowler' who is modelling a 'OO' layout of the Preston East Lancs extension (Preston East Lancs Goods to Todd Lane). He was keen to pick everyones brains for tips and hints, maybe he will become a Scalefour society member one day - it was be good to see someone several years younger showing such an interest.

The next meeting is Thursday 19th March, for a talk/discussion on 'P4 track Construction' by Mike Norris. Please contact Mike Norris (details on blue sheet), should you require more information.
Posted by Mike Norris at 9:00 PM

[grovenor-2685]

Wednesday, 1 April 2009
Fylde Area Group
On Thursday 19th March, we had our usual meeting attended by 10 members.

This month was a talk and presentation by (myself) Mike Norris on 'P4 Track Construction', I do not intend to write my own review, but if any one would like to read a review one is present in the March 2009 HMRS Points newsletter. I will also be presenting this talk again for the Manchester Model Railway Society on September 11th at Dean Hall Manchester.

Needless to say this did lead to an extensive discussion after the talk with many experiences aired, problems discussed and the permanent way generally put to rights by the gang.

Our next meeting (run and natter) is not on the usual third Thursday but on Thursday 9th April. Please contact Mike Norris (details on blue sheet), should you require more information.
Posted by Mike Norris at 10:18 PM

[grovenor-2685]

Thursday, 16 April 2009
Fylde Area Group
On the 9th April we had the usual run and natter meeting, this time I took the camera to the meeting and have a number of photographs to post. The meeting was well attended with 10 members present Martin Walmsley brought along a number of interesting locomotives shown below, some very local to Preston:

Apr2009 007.jpg (76.93 KiB) Viewed 1366 times

An LMS jackshaft shunter 7080-7119 built from 1939, a derivative of the design from English Electric (Dick Kerr) works in Preston in 1934.

Apr2009 002.jpg (68.48 KiB) Viewed 1366 times

A LNWR box tank, which worked Greenbank sidings north of Preston before the Kitson's displaced them, the yard had very tight radius turnouts, apparently these short wheelbase locos has to be escorted (coupled to another locmotive) through the station area to avoid them disappearing off the track circuits.

Apr2009 004.jpg (97.08 KiB) Viewed 1366 times

Now that Preston has been convered to DCC, we also had a visit from a nice, sound fitted, class 20 (used by Graham Seed at the Scalefour North demo stand the previous weekend)

Apr2009 003.jpg (68.85 KiB) Viewed 1366 times

Also nicely sound fitted was an early Type 2 (class 25) sat in the carriage siding on tickover.


Our next meeting (run and natter) is back to the usual third Thursday, 21st May. Please contact Mike Norris (details on blue sheet), should you require more information.
Posted by Mike Norris at 8:47 PM