Hello from a new member in Gloucestershire

[darrene]

Hello folks.

I've often followed Google articles that brought me here in the past and gone down many rabbit holes following posts detailing the incredible engineering skills and huge amount of knowledge the members have.

Now that I have a little live steam loco of my own (a 3.5" gauge LBSC Britannia) I have a good reason to join and contribute. Well....at least start asking questions!

I'm from often-wet Gloucestershire in the UK and built an elevated Gauge one layout for myself and my 4 year old son to enjoy playing with.

Wanting to scratch the itch for live steam (and in particular the smell of coal-firing) I've opted to make the move to 3.5" gauge and am about to join my local SME in Cheltenham. I'm currently building a large workshop in the garden; the roof's about to go on. Hooray! after which I am hoping to put down a slightly elevated track.

My engineering skills are extremely limited and my coal-fired live steam knowledge non-existant but I'm hoping over the course of 2012 to build up both and it looks from her initial response to the whole endeavour, that my 10yo daughter will be joining me!

Stay well all and look forward to 'meeting you' in the forums!

Darren

[simplyloco]

Mar 12, 2021 13:21:38 GMT darrene said:

Hello folks.

SNIP

Now that I have a little live steam loco of my own (a 3.5" gauge LBSC Britannia) I have a good reason to join and contribute. Well....at least start asking questions!

SNIP

Darren

Hi Darren, and welcome. I lived in Cheltenham (Hatherley and Brockhampton Park) for nigh on 20 years, but that was before I got into serious model engineering. 
However, my first foray was into a LBSC Britannia, and it is well documented on here, warts and all!
Just click on the link  and lots of threads will appear.

modeleng.proboards.com/search/results?captcha_id=captcha_search&display_as=1&search=Search&when_days=5000&where_thread_title=Brit%2BProgress&who_only_made_by=0

[darrene]

Thanks for the welcome. What a small world we live in!
It appears I'm in good company already I was drooling over your build posts only last night. That was my idea of an exemplary build. The attention to detail and quality of it were fabulous. Most inspiring. It looks as though you left or a life on our gorgeous south coast. I trust you are enjoying life down there. I used to be a regular visiter to Poole and Sandbanks during the 'maritime' period of my youth! I loved the stretch of coast between there and Southampton

[johnd]

Welcome to the forum, many members happy to help and advise.
We like photo’s, locos, workshop build, whatever you have.
Hope you and your daughter have as much fun going round in circles as i did with my son.

Daggers

[darrene]

Many thanks Daggers. Some videos and pictures have started going up - starting as I mean to go on!

[Deleted]

Welcome to the forum Darren, I'm sure that the learned folk here can answer any questions on your Brit for you. Good luck with your project.

Kind regards

Pete

[darrene]

Thanks for the kind welcome Pete!

[JonL]

Another 3.5" Britannia, fantastic! Mine is in very early stages at the moment (basically an expensive roller skate) but progress is ticking along.

Welcome to the forum.

[darrene]

Mar 13, 2021 18:39:54 GMT JonL said:

Another 3.5" Britannia, fantastic! Mine is in very early stages at the moment (basically an expensive roller skate) but progress is ticking along.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks very much! We're reasonably close to each other by the look of it too

[neil]

Hi darrene.
I am a member of Cheltenham SME, there is a 3 1/2 inch raised track to run you Brit. (ir has 2 1/1, 3 1/2 and 5 inch on the raised track. We should be able to play again soon at the track.
I run a 3 1/2 Mountaineer at the club, and usually take my 14 year old Daughter with me when we run the loco.

[dscott]

Hi Darren,

Here is our build in the Garden... In fact an Extension since getting more Part built locomotives.
One being a Jessie which came from your Club many years ago.
She will return as the Boiler is tested and the chassis is almost complete.

I have loads of projects and just go and do whichever one I fancy or have workshop equipment set up to
do. One lathe is permanently set up for slots so making it easier.

David and Lily Reading Club.

[darrene]

Mar 14, 2021 21:47:18 GMT neil said:

Hi darrene.
I am a member of Cheltenham SME, there is a 3 1/2 inch raised track to run you Brit. (ir has 2 1/1, 3 1/2 and 5 inch on the raised track. We should be able to play again soon at the track.
I run a 3 1/2 Mountaineer at the club, and usually take my 14 year old Daughter with me when we run the loco.

Hey Neil,

Thanks for words of welcome. I'll enjoy putting a face to the name up and admiring your Mountaineer pretty soon. I've just filled in my CSME membership form and will be trotting over to the post office tomorrow to get it off!

Hopefully your daughter and mine will strike up some kind of friendhsip down there. I'm sure my Sian will welcome some female solidarity!

All the best

Darren

[darrene]

Mar 15, 2021 2:34:17 GMT dscott said:

Hi Darren,

Here is our build in the Garden... In fact an Extension since getting more Part built locomotives.
One being a Jessie which came from your Club many years ago.
She will return as the Boiler is tested and the chassis is almost complete.

I have loads of projects and just go and do whichever one I fancy or have workshop equipment set up to
do. One lathe is permanently set up for slots so making it easier.

David and Lily Reading Club.

Hi David, Hi Lily

Great work on the extension. Always a warning sign I suspect, when you're having to extend the house in order to house the locos...

Reading isn't too far from where I grew up in Camberley. I still use the Reading wind turbine as a sign I'm getting near to my parents when I get over to visit them,

It's reassuring to hear I'm not the only one with multiple projects on the go (sadly, not enough of them are steam-related!) There never seem to be enough hours in the day.

Here's my effort. It's made up of glass-ingot shipping crates, to which I'm lucky to have access to an unlimited amount. The feet are cut back to allow them to slot together Lego brick style.

In light of the recent storms I think the doors and windows will go in before the roof panels; the last thing I need is them getting blown off!

[dscott]

Hi Darren,
That is looking lovely!!
Yes I watch Grand Designs and met Kevin when he visited Uni of Plymouth where I worked with Architecture Students.
Kevin is friends with Head of Architecture. I got on well with him because he has a Japanese Wife.

Bad Joke... I was once asked WHY Did I have a Chinese Wife at a Model Club.
I held her hand up and said loudly.
BECAUSE SHE CAN GET 8 BA BOLTS IN THINGS IN THE SMOKE BOX WITH HER SMALL HANDS OF COURSE!!!

Of our Daughter.
SHE IS ENGLISH BUT BUILT ON CHINESE EQUIPMENT!!!

Do read my Photo Joke and Smiles section!! Under General Chat.

David and Lily.

Do pop into The Reading Club when you visit your Parents during the Summer.
Find Prospect Park and we are down in the Bottom Right Hand corner.