Smifffy
Statesman
Rock'n'Roll!
Posts: 943
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Post by Smifffy on Dec 29, 2009 14:00:52 GMT
...after a few years of making sporadic progress with my Royal Scot, more than a few visits on the Public Running days, and with a little (unintentional) prompt from a current member (contacted me via this forum), I went along to the Reading Society of Model Engineers on Boxing day (club running) to enquire about membership. I was warmly welcomed by the president and a few of the other members there on the day, so I will be joining in the new year. www.rsme.co.uk/ Mark |
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Post by astewart on Mar 27, 2011 21:01:49 GMT
David Scott
Your criticism of Tiverton club is no longer justified. We now have our own web page: tivertonmodelengineering.org.uk and our subs are £25 same as Taunton and Newton Abbott (we have a reduction for distant members). Our membership is increasing and ex-members are returning. This Wednesday, the local school will be bringing pupils to our club track for steam loco rides for their school transport project. They are our guests (not paying customers). We have steam-ups on first Saturday of each month and,in the summer, we have barbecues where you bring and cook your own food as you like it. The next steam-up is on 2 April 2011. It would be good to see you there.
Alan Stewart
Alan Stewart
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,073
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Post by stevep on Apr 5, 2011 16:59:28 GMT
David SCott,
I am sorry you had a disappointing experience with the Tiverton society. I have just started attending the club, and I have been warmly welcomed, and have enjoyed several visits to the club track - despite not being able to steam my own loco due to lack of a boiler certificate.
In any group of people, there are always going to be differences of opinion, but that is what meeting people and discussing things is all about. One doesn't have to agree - just accept that the other person's opinions may be different.
Regards....Steve
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Post by simon48 on Apr 5, 2011 21:03:48 GMT
Hi,
David did make his comments 5 years ago! A great deal can happen in 5 years, I have moved from Devon to the N. West, had two jobs, and am also looking for a local club to join.
Simon
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Post by stirlinglad on May 1, 2011 23:20:27 GMT
I'm in the same position as Frits, as far as I know there isn't a club within 30 miles of where I live. The only one packed in several years ago, I think due to the advancing age of the membership, the track is still there but it's slowly going back to nature. I've a large and secluded back garden so my intentions are to build a 5" track when the Simplex is complete, not sure if I could be bothered with club politics and boiler inspectors etc anyway. Ron I'm afraid i have to agree with what ron said,, i'm new to this forum (2011) and as far as i know there is not a club near me either, i'm based in Stirling,, I have never actually seen one of these locos yet except for videos on-line . mike.. aged 48 & 3/4 . |
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Post by toddy on Jul 15, 2012 18:16:14 GMT
I'm in the same position as Frits, as far as I know there isn't a club within 30 miles of where I live. The only one packed in several years ago, I think due to the advancing age of the membership, the track is still there but it's slowly going back to nature. I've a large and secluded back garden so my intentions are to build a 5" track when the Simplex is complete, not sure if I could be bothered with club politics and boiler inspectors etc anyway. Ron Hi Mick, Google 'Scottish Model Engineering Trust' or 'Wester Pickston Railway'. They operate on the outskirts of Methven, Perthshire which is not a million miles away from you. Ron I'm afraid i have to agree with what ron said,, i'm new to this forum (2011) and as far as i know there is not a club near me either, i'm based in Stirling,, I have never actually seen one of these locos yet except for videos on-line . mike.. aged 48 & 3/4 . |
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,440
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Post by dscott on Oct 10, 2012 0:05:03 GMT
Such a lot has happened in that time and I am just about to move to an area that has better PROSPECTs. I enjoyed Tiverton and spent many happy hours helping build the track etc. I left due to moving to Ivybridge, then to Plymouth so the distance would be too great. Several friends left under a cloud so saddened me.
My next club which was great was the Newton Abbot club and again was able to help build some of thr track, but due to loss of job I joined Plymouth which is superb, has lots of younger members and workshops every Thursday in term time. Six miles from home at present but due to packing for a move have not been out much.
Will PARK myself in the new location and go and introduce myself.
Reading between the lines some may be able to recognize where we are going.
David.
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Post by alanstepney on Oct 10, 2012 6:54:42 GMT
I suspect that there may be more clubs than are generally known.
I was at a small steam event on Sunday, where I saw "Winchester Model Engineers", with a Southern-ised Simplex running on an elevated track. Seemed a nice crowd (from the ones I spoke to).
It is 30 miles from me, and I know the area well, but had never heard of them before.
A qucik search showed minimal information, so they certainly dont go out of their way for publicity.
I suspect there may be others that are also "low profile".
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kingsteam9
Hi-poster
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Posts: 160
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Post by kingsteam9 on Oct 10, 2012 12:21:24 GMT
Alan,
The Winchester society to my knowledge has always been a 'low profile' bunch but very active nonetheless. I know of a couple of members who were also members of the Andover Society, Nigel Woodham being one, and possible George Ray of the Andover society (also a member here) - if he reads this - will be able to put you in touch with him so you can find out more, if that's of interest. Alternatively a pm to George might do the trick.
Robin
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Post by alanstepney on Oct 10, 2012 20:35:50 GMT
Oddly enough, when talking to them, I got the feeling that I had met one guy before.
On reflection, I think it may have been at Basingstoke a few years ago when some of the Andover club
were visiting (as was I).
My comment was more along the lines of wondering how many other "unknown" clubs are around?
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Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,875
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Post by Midland on Feb 23, 2015 23:00:13 GMT
Oddly enough, when talking to them, I got the feeling that I had met one guy before. On reflection, I think it may have been at Basingstoke a few years ago when some of the Andover club were visiting (as was I). My comment was more along the lines of wondering how many other "unknown" clubs are around? Alan I know this thread is from 3 years ago but you let slip that you are 30 miles away. You must come to Southampton and have a play. When was the last time you drove a Midland Compound, especially one as beautiful as mine?  Cheers david |
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Post by englishlivesteam on Feb 25, 2015 1:06:03 GMT
I am from Dunedin, New Zealand. Most of what goes on at our club goes on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OtagoModelEngineering). We run a raised track of about 450 meters in 2.5", 2.3", 5" and 7.25" gauge.
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Post by steamcoal on Feb 26, 2015 10:58:14 GMT
I am from just up the road from Dunedin in Timaru, South Canterbury and are a member of the South Canterbury Model and Experimental Engineers. Est.1934
We have a raised 3.5" and 5" 247m track, no 7 1/4". A boat pond and nice little clubhouse.
About four steamers and 7 locos amongst us. Trying to organise a "Steam-Only" event with our close neighbours for March but unfortunately we have a drought and there is a total fire ban in the city!
Look forward to any visitors.
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Post by steamcoal on Mar 21, 2015 9:51:47 GMT
Its raining tonight! ( see above)
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Post by peterseager on Mar 22, 2015 8:11:45 GMT
Bishops Stortford Model Engineering Society
We are a club within the Bishops Stortford Railway Society. We have a permanent track in an orchard in the ground of a former farm house which used to belong to a member. We also have a portable track used for school fetes and Bishops Stortford carnival.
The Railway Society have the old booking office at Bishops Stortford Station as a club room and the BSMES meet there on the 3rd Friday of the month at 8pm. The Railway Society have talks by members and guests on a Thursday evening and the Model Engineers can attend.
During the summer we meet at the track on a Saturday afternoon to work on the site (they don't tell you its really a gardening club), test engines, just run engines, natter etc. There are also Steam ups on some Sundays to which all Railway Society members are invited along with friends, relatives and people living near the track.
The main track is a 440ft oval with 3.5" and 5" gauge rails. The portable track is 5"gauge only.
New members for the BSMES urgently required.
Peter
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Post by garryc on Jun 3, 2015 16:10:40 GMT
Hello
Are there any clubs in the Monmouthshire area of South Wales?
Regards
Garry
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Jun 3, 2015 16:55:48 GMT
Hello Are there any clubs in the Monmouthshire area of South Wales? Regards Garry Hi Garry, City of Newport. Highly recommended! Pete. |
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Post by terry1956 on Jun 4, 2015 19:14:39 GMT
hi. I am a member of the Bristol club. Its not my local club being just over 44 miles away. but I am allowed to take my loco anytime I want to just play around which is so unlike the closer clubs with their once a month steam up days or endless work days. So for me its worth the trip each time. great club to be a member of. michael
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Post by steamcoal on Jun 5, 2015 3:46:10 GMT
terry.
Some clubs seem to a awful amount of workdays in comparison to the actually running days. It would honestly drive me around the bend if I was allowed to run just one day per month, then there is the weather!
I heard a story of a UK modeller ( name withheld ) and his New Zealand ME friend whom had travel 12,000 miles to visit and they decided during the week to take a loco to the club track for a run. Apparently they, the "maintenance crew" were spitting track nails and brandishing rakes at the audacity that someone would turn up to run while "we" were raking leaves. It is hard to imagine but that is apparently how it happens, even now.
I think I would be selecting a new hobby if I could only run a dozen times a year.
Last week we drove south about 200 miles each way for a steam up with our Otago Model Engineer club. Brilliant day and it was worth it. Unfortunately it is the lengths we need to go to so we can enjoy our hobby sometime.
Tomorrow it could be -3c and a good frost but we plan a steam up at 9:30. Bacon butties and tea are planned and we should be done by 1:30 as the club have a party and we have to be off the track. I think we will have the best part of the day actually.
Looking forward to it.
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Post by terry1956 on Jun 5, 2015 14:24:05 GMT
I must say a word for the members of the swansea club.i have been lucky to have steamed both my polly 4 and my maid of kent at the club.great people always glad to help out and a very interesting track.just wish i lived a lot nearer.michael
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