Staines MES Invitation Day

[stantheman]

HI all.

Anyone within travelling distance is invited to our track on August 9th 2008.

After several years of silence we are hoping to get some response from other clubs/members who fancy a day out. Our elevated track is almost 1000 feet in length and runs 5" gauge 3½" gauge and 2½" gauge. Built using alloy rail with steaming facilities. Apart from bringing good weather all that is asked is that a degree of enthusiasm is also on the 'to bring' list. All the normal requirements will be provided just bring a locomotive and where needed a boiler certificate. Some driving trollies can also be used on the day.
A PM will bring contact details to anyone interested. Stan.

[the_viffer]

Pencil me in Stan. Will advise for sure later.

[stantheman]

Thanks for that, your the first that has replied in any form. Look forward to meeting up.
Stan.

[spamcanman]

Hi,
I'm a member of NLMES so your track is not far for me I will bring a friend and our loco's it's a nice change on a different track

Tony

[stantheman]

Well that sounds good. Hope you will not be disappointed with our 'open plan' track compared to your 'country style' at NLMES. I have been there on occasions so can visualise it. So at least we should have three visiting loco's and drivers. Will arrange a location to be sent to you all nearer the time. Stan.

[mutley]

Hope to be back by then! Pencil me in with an engine. Any restrictions on age of drivers?

[stantheman]

Hi. I suppose this should be addressed to anyone that may end up coming on August 9th. There would not be any restrictions on ages of drivers, we will not be hauling any of ouir passenger train stock, well at least not for fare paying members of the public, so the generally applied rules of over 16 up to any age and those below 16 under some fairly relaxed supervision, (initially if not all of the time).

We are situated in a public park and inevitably as soon as any activity takes place the general public imagine we are open for business. Notices are displayed saying we are not, that usually satifies anyone standing around. Our own Council licence precludes us from running for fare paying passengers on un-specified days.

Only other proviso is to sign the vistors book to be covered as a temporary member.

Hope that clears some issues. Stan.

[stantheman]

If any of you should be able, and indeed want to come, our location is best selected on a mapping device or sat nav as TW18. That should (?) show the location and maybe a visual image of the track. It is a raised track of approx 1000 feet in length. Aluminium rail, coal and water, along with tea coffee and lunch, all in the same box!.
Stan. (anytime from about 10-00am onwards.)

[Tony K]

Got it Stanley. Looks good on the map.

Can't see you driving round though!

Regret cannot come, doing a birthday party, otherwise enjoy visiting other tracks. Perhaps you will take some photos for us.

[stantheman]

Will do my best although present weather forecast may cause us a few problems later during the morning and afternoon.

[spamcanman]

How did the meeting go I was on my way but the M25 was gridlocked from the M11 junction all the way to Heathrow(38 miles), while I sat there for 2 hours in the traffic it then started to rain that looked set in for the day so I turned around and went back home

[stantheman]

Hi.
Our meeting was of course spoiled by the weather. First arrival was soon after nine, in the dry. He quickly gathered his locomotive (SR 'Q' Class) together and was on the track. A few spots of rain fell, three more visitors arrived, joined the running on the track, they were soon on because of running electrically propelled locomotives. Two more visitors arrived, without locomotives, and joined in some interesting conversation. Despite the weather which was getting progressively worse they all continued to (apparently|) enjoy the freedom of the track. Hot Dogs, tea or coffee followed by some cakes completed our effort with everyone staying until they all agreed to pack up by about three in the afternoon.
So it did prove that whatever the weather my throw at us the hobby can remain alive and enjoyable, the atmosphere in our small club hut became much like some den of iniquity, what with hot cookers, hot tea pots and hot/damp bodies, with some old codgers codgitating!
Our many thanks to all that did attend, next time we will make more of an effort to encourage the rain gods to stay away. Oh and sorry, no photo's this time.

Yes, the M25 is more often than not at a standstill, sometimes wonder if it would not work better if it was one way all the way round, clockwise preferably, maybe then it would keep moving. Thanks for making the effort anyway maybe you can come another time.

Stan.

[spurley]

Hi Stan

This 'Invitation Day' seems like a brilliant idea to me. I wish I could have come, weather or otherwise, but I'm over in Northern Ireland and a bit limited to venues! I do lodge in Falkirk during the week when I'm at work but that's weekdays only.

However, I did pass on the information about the meet to a friend of mine who is new to the hobby and lives in Walton. I wonder if he went along? I'll ask him on Monday when we're back at work.

Any photos? I like the sound of the Q class. I managed to fail my senior fireman's test on the full sized engine, 541, at the Bluebell years back

Cheers

Brian

[stantheman]

Hi Brian. Yes the idea of holding an 'Invitation Day' is of course not a new one, although our group have not held one for some years. Pity the weather let us down, if it had been yesterday (Sunday 10th) we would have been better off, still that is the luck of the draw.

The 'Q' class visitor was in fact drawn and completed from measurements taken from 541 at the Bluebell. Even down to the working steam reverser and steam operated drain cocks.

I do understand the problems of being in Northern Ireland, I was there for 18 months across at RAF Ballykelly with Costal Command in the early 60's. Used Larne very often for the short (?) sea crossing if I could not get a lift out on an aircraft to go back home on leave. (happy days for all that)

Did not see anyone from Walton, perhaps he was also put off by the rain, only about 20 minutes drive away though!

Stan.