NDSME news - Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers

17AUG22

We have opted to maintain the moratorium on steam for the 21st August. We review this on a weekly basis and the time is still not right to resume steam.

16AUG22

One of our current projects is making progress. Here Philip Moore shows the new (reclaimed) canopy support that has just been installed. It will replace the one on the far right which will be removed and associated wiring re-routed. This is to facillitate the realignment of the track from the turntable to the station throat. The concrete work was done by, inter alia, Brian Jacobs and Richard Crook

12AUG22

A question often asked by new members and prospective applicants is, “Can I run my loco at Eaton Park?”

Well, here are the current regulations

1) Members may run their locos at Eaton Park on any day as long as there are at least two members present. An under-16 must always be accompanied by an adult

2) During hours when public trains are running, a second crew member must be carried and the driver must be aged 16 or over.

3 Signage protecting the level crossings must be put out and recovered after cessation.

4) Steam locos must have in-date certification and be fitted with a spark arrestor.

11AUG22

Although the field has now been cut and all the scorched growth removed, we have opted to maintain the moratorium on steam for the 13th and 14th August. We review this on a weekly basis and the time is still not right to resume steam.

We have not run coal fired locos for a month now. Oil or gas fired locos might be a possibility for the future, or even a necessity, as these scorching summers become the norm.

08AUG22

This pic shows why we currently have a steam ban in place.

We are reviewing the situation on weekly basis but, looking at

the forecast, it doesn’t look good for the next few weeks.

06AUG22

On Saturday Brian Parker gave us a very interesting talk on the adaptions he has made to his loco.

Who else might like to do similar? Contact Mike Fordham if so.

Head Gardener Richard was, however, equally interested in motor bikes!

02AUG22

Peter Davies renewing track fixings. Track maintenance takes place every Tuesday throughout the year. This track was laid in 2015 and secured with 5mm screws. These are now being replaced with 6mm screws which will be less prone to failure. In the background is the very useful flatbed wagon, it is far easier to transport large items on this than on wheelbarrows.

New point lock mechanism devised by Pete King.

Please do not step on this as it is not designed for carrying weight!

26JY22

Some pics from the action at EP today, when temperatures were more reasonable

Richard Hendrick works on the PW hut extension

Malcolm Pettitt investigates why the Cl 42 is still not working

Brian Sayer repairs his Cl.66

Chris Shingles works on the A3 while Brian Jacobs poses nearby.

Chris Poore inspects James Horrex’s Thomas

24JY22

Today saw a welcome return of the Cole’s Class 70 model. Believed to be around 40 years old, here it poses with what, at first glance is a double stacked container train, but in reality is passenger cars stacked 1 on 1.

Complete with driver!

24JY22

Please note we are not using steam locos today, due to the fire risk to the park

21JY22

19JY22

Due to the predicted high heat today, members attending EP should consider this advice from gov.uk

Why this is important

The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. Remember to think of those who may be more at risk from the effects of heat – these include the following:

older people [ie most of us!”], especially those over 75
people with a serious chronic condition, particularly heart, breathing or mobility problems
people on certain medications, including those that affect sweating and temperature control (for example, diuretics, antihistamines, beta-blockers and antipsychotics
people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example, from gastroenteritis)
people who are physically active (for example, manual workers)

What you can do

Stay out of the heat, cool yourself down, keep your environment cool or find somewhere else that is cool.

Avoid being out in the sun during the hottest part of the day (around midday) and plan your day to avoid heavy activity during extreme heat.

Bring everything you will need with you, such as a bottle of water, sun cream and a hat.

If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen, and wear a hat and light clothing.

Drink plenty of fluids: water, low fat milks and tea and coffee are good options.

Look out for signs of dehydration such as increased thirst, a dry mouth, dark urine, and urinating infrequently or small amounts.

Avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity,, keep it for cooler parts of the day – for example, in the early morning or evening.

If you intend working in the field – don’t go alone!

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two potentially serious conditions that can occur if you get too hot:

heat exhaustion is where you become very hot and start to lose water or salt from your body. Common symptoms include weakness, feeling faint, headache, muscle cramps, feeling sick, heavy sweating and intense thirst
heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool itself and a person’s body temperature becomes dangerously high. Heatstroke is less common, but more serious. Untreated symptoms include confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness
Severe heat exhaustion or heatstroke requires hospital treatment.
Call 999 if you or someone else have signs of heatstroke including:
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- a fit (seizure)
- loss of consciousness
- not responsive

17JY22

Please note that, due to predicted extreme temperatures today, trains will not be running. Apologies for any disappointment. We hope to be back on Friday 22nd with trains for Bluebell Primary and Colman PTA. Normal service should be resumed next Sunday.

16JY22

Today was BR Blue Day, with all trains pulled by locos in the BR livery of the mid 60s to early 90s.

We’re thinking of expanding this idea for next year.

15JY22

This has just been forwarded to the website and may interest those with steam engines and even those who don’t. It is the 2005 IMLEC competition (International Model Locomotive Efficiency Competition). It comes in two parts with the second part showing Pete King competing at about 40 minutes in.

12JY22

Even in the relentless heat, basic site maintenance continues.

Brian Jacobs trims the hedges (above)

while Richard Crook deals with all the trimmings (below)

09JY22

Members of the Narrow Gauge Railway Society who visited Eaton Park this afternoon.

An NGRS special train.

Nelma Karim qualified as a passenger guard today, Well done her!

In the afternoon, after our guests had departed for Yaxham,

Pete King gave some of the newer members instruction on his engine.

It augers well for the Stafford project later this year

08JY22

Paul Sherwoods Iceni makes a welcome return to Eaton Park on the 10th This powerful loco has just had extensive upgrade work done and we are expecting a good performance. On Saturday 9th, we welcome visitors from the *Narrow Gauge Railway Society*, from 1000 to 1300. Then the day becomes a private members session.

07JY22

A very successful BBQ took place yesterday, at which Janet Steel dedicated the bench she has provided in commemoration of her late husband and long term member Barry Steel, fondly remembered as a kind and gentle soul who was always willing to help others.

In this pic, Mrs Steel, her daughter and grand-daughter.

Many thanks are due to The Two Richards, Wells and Hendrick , who cooked the food. Also thanks to Mrs Moore who organised the provisions, and to Philip who helped eat them, as well as starring as The Pub Landlord. Delicious cakes were supplied by Mrs Hendrick and also by Ms Karim.

More pics in the gallery

06JY22

The members BBQ is today. Weather looks set to be warm and dry. Site opens 1830 for members and their families. Burgers, hot dogs, drink, the usual goodies, plus trains and cake. It doesn’t get any better than this! Forget the pizza zone, enter the burger zone!

05JY22

Fishplate greasing today. An important if unexciting task. Here Peter Davies is slackening fishplates and then using spray grease to lube the fishing surfaces. This is important because the rails must be able to slide in the plates when heat lengthens them.

03JY22

Not seen at EP for a while is Paul Sherwoods Iceni.

It’s had its tyres reprofiled and was at EP for dual testing, which it passed.

Also enjoying the dog days at EP today was Ben and Bob’s Corby, a powerful and popular engine.

01JY22

On Saturday 9th July, we are hosting a party from the Narrow Gauge Railway Society. Members are invited to come and meet them and also to take part in the private members session in the afternoon. From 10am

30JN22

Coming up at Eaton Park…

Sat 2nd July – First Saturday of the month, private members day

Sun 3rd July – public trains

Weds 6th July – society BBQ, from 1830

Saturday 9th July – private members session from 1300

Saturday 16th July – BR Blue pop-up.

29JN22

One week to go to the,

SOCIETY SUMMER BBQ

at Eaton Park on Weds 6th July.

All members and their families are invited.

Guests from the NRS will be amongst us.

Arrive from 1830. Food from 1900 by the Two Richards

0% alc. and other soft drinks at Phil’s Bar…and Pimms too!

There may also be trains!

Covered accommodation if showers.

29JN22

From the park...

The scene in the pit yesterday as various engines receive attention

New locking mechanism under construction for the turntable

Malcolm Pettitt”s 5″ gauge GER T26 2-4-0 No 490. The original is in the Science Museum collection.

Scamp receives attention to improve performance

26JN22

Following the Narrow Gauge Rly Soc visit on Sat 9th July, the rest of the day will be taken up with a private members play/training session.

14JN22

The summer BBQ is just three weeks away. We need some items to assist the catering/bar team.

If you can spare any of these please bring them to the clubhouse on the Tuesday before

1) cool bags or insulated buckets, to keep drinks and ice chilled on the day

2) a nice pitcher to mix Pimms up in

14JN22

Works at the park today,

Pete King is working on a new design of locators for the turntable.

Philip treating woodwork under the supervision of new member Barry Futter

Richard Crook doing his thing with the strimmer. Things are growing fast now!

13JN22

A second lightweight battery drill has been burnt out by drilling into concrete, this is beyond the capacity of these drills. For drilling into concrete please use the SDS drill, which was acquired for just this purpose

13JN22

Prerparations are at an advanced stage now for the society BBQ on Wednesday 6th July. This will happen come rain or shine as we have plenty of undercover accommodation available if required.. All members and their nuclear families are invited.

09JN22

Spotted at EP recently

This is ListerMan.

A descendent of Ned Kelly.

Probably.

08JN22

Public services this Sunday 12th will be all electric.

The following Sunday 19th will be a douible bill fea. Maid Marion and Corby

On Monday 29th August we will hold a train day for the Lord Mayors charity, which this year is Home Start

28MAY22

Please note that the sliding gate requires using with extra care pro tem, as one of the structural members has failed.

28MAY22

Three Class 66s at the members day today. A fourth joined after this pic was taken.

27MAY22

Good News! After only three months, Sweet Briar Road is open again. Journies to EP should be considerably easier now.

22MAY22

This is why…

there is a compulsary STOP at the field exit!

22MAY22

New resident at EP is this AME Class 66

08 May 22

Two members engines enjoying a quiet smoke in the pit today.

A member’s new “Scamp“, a diminutive yet interesting petrol-electric.

05 May 22

Some action from the recent B/Hol Monday,

Brian P pulling a 5-car public train. His engine just gobbled it up!

DieselMike doing the yearly oil/filter change on his Lister.

03 May 22

Following extensive electrical and mechanical work by Ian Carter and Malcolm Pettitt, the Class 42 is now fit for service again.

Here, Malcolm gives it a test. (Pic P King)

29 April 22

A Saturday members meeting has been arranged for August., See events page for details.

28 April 22

Ndsme is considering laying on a coach to the Midlands Exhibition in October.

If you are interested, please reply to the email you should all have received.

The cost will depend on the numbers travelling.

23 APR 22

Sweet Briar Road remains closed and Anglia Water indicate that it will not reopen until late May. In the meantime the official diversion has huge tailbacks so it is probably easier to travel via the Inner Ring Road and exit via Unthank Rd or Earlham Rd, both of which will regain the Ring Road near the park.

Covid.

A reminder that, if anyone in your family feels “under the weather” or “not quite right”, these could be early warnings of a covid infection. In this case you should NOT attend EP until it is resolved as you risk bringing the virus to EP. Covid is highly infectious and is likely to transmit from one family member to another easily. Covid symptoms include,

a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
shortness of breath
feeling tired or exhausted
an aching body
a headache
a sore throat
a blocked or runny nose
loss of appetite
diarrhoea
feeling sick or being sick

If you have COVID-19, you can pass on the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts.

You should:

try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days
avoiding meeting people at higher risk from COVID-19 for 10 days, especially if their immune system means they’re at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, even if they’ve had a COVID-19 vaccine

This starts from the day after you did the test.

12 APR22

1)…For those trying to view the EPMR facebook page (or any other public page such, as 7.25″ railways), facebook is currently throwing up a log-in wall which means you won’t be able to view unless you have an account. Whether this is a permanent feature or a temporary glitch remains to be seen. UPDATE 15/4/22 SINCE RESOLVED

2)…The society is actively investigating setting up a dedicated raised track group to oversee the refurbishment. Those members who expressed interest in this project will be contacted shortly with a view to arranging an initial meeting, possibly on a Tuesday, possibly at the Eaton Park Community Centre. Once a viable structure is in place then the membership can be consulted for approval for the expenditure.

3)…Public trains running on Easter Sunday and Monday. Interested members are invited to assist.

31MAR22

The membership renewal cycle is now complete. Members who have not renewed will be sent one final reminder.

Membership cards will be retained at EP for those members who did not provide an sae. These cards will be available for collection on Tuesdays or Sundays.

22MAR22

Membership Renewals

The 2021-22 membership year is drawing to a close. Over two thirds of members have successfully renewed so far. In order to retain your member privileges, do please renew by 31st March, after which date your membership will cease

19MAR22

Renewal forms are available in the clubhouse for those that need a hard copy.

15MAR22

At Eaton Park today we...

…took the white fence down at Larch End

to create space for a storage siding…

…and replaced a drive chain on the Class 42…

…the other bogie will also be done

13MAR22

Pics from the DEC Ukraine Appeal benefit day. Just over £1500 was raised.

One of our busiest days in recent years, with a unique Hunslet double- header.

More pictures in the Gallery.

08MAR22

Preparatory work for new raised track storage.

Clearing away two years of organic matter

The new covered raised track storage siding will go here. The white fence will be relocated.

05MAR22

Temporary duckboards installed in the pit pending a more permanent solution to the flooding problem. These have been made from recycled plastic pallets.

01MAR22

Pete and Jim repairing the turntable

Brian J working on the loco lift wiring, supervised by Philip, Malcolm and Brian S

27FEB22

Two pics from the pop-up action today. Jim McDonell’s Glen class and Brian Parker’s Maid Marion, pulling busy afternoon trains. Brian’s loco ran for a full five hours and was still going strong at the close of play!

22FEB22

Pete King and the track team resleepering in the field today.

This is the last point to be done in the field

22FEB22

The Sweet Briar Rd closure looks like it may be for some time.

https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/

21 Feb 22

Raised track (refurbishment) consultation

If you have a view on this subject then please respond asap. The consultation closes in a few days.

21 Feb 22

ROAD CLOSURE

Please note that the ring road is closed between the Dereham Road roundabout and Hellesdon Hall Road. This is likely to remain closed for up to 14 days. Diversion in place but expect significant queues at all times during the day

19 Feb 22