After the Storm

Turned up at the track this morning expecting the field would be a swamp, and we would probably have to park on the main car park near the cafe and pay a £1.  But was pleasantly surprised to find our car park, whist being a little damp, was quite OK for parking and the “village green” was also not too bad.  Good news for Santa!

The only damage we found was a branch down and the small attractive maple broken off at ground level which had also caused some damage to the adjacent tree.  Alan Grinsted and his gang set to work and soon had it cut into pieces and tidied up. The mower/tractor and landscaping tools had been away to George Carrs for overhaul and were duly delivered today much improved by a little T.L.C.

We have been concerned about fitting in the proposed extension to the carriage shed in case it came too close to the raised track.  The possibility being that we may have to “cut off ” the rear corner which would give a very awkward roof line.  Alan Hooper who is doing the design for us came along and we  decided to get the measure out and check the clearance.    We  erected a piece of board simulate the wall so that drivers and passenger can get a good idea of where the building would come and we drove a train round to see how it looked. We also checked the clearance against the tunnel entrance to see how it compares.  You can see from the pictures below that we have quite a bit of clearance but just to be sure we will leave it up (weather permitting) for Santa Special.

 STOP PRESS

Many of you will be aware that Mike Keighley is in hospital following a major operation. The latest news  is that all went well and he hopes to be out in a few days once they have established that all systems are in full working order.  We wish him well and a speedy recovery.   I will update the blog when I have any further news.

Latest news on Saturday 1st December.       Mike is now staying at his cousin’s in Upwell,  feeling much better and sounds very bright.  He has been out for walks and hopes to make it to the club next Friday 7th December

Just heard from Geoff Hinbest who is struggling with his hip but now driving and hoping to be with us on 7th December.

JUST A THREEFOLD

This year I have been involved with the production of our railway threefold for next year, 2013. This is a vital part of our operation informing members and public of our running programme throughout the year.  It is also our main advertising effort on behalf of the railway. being available in a number of public places within Aston Court and outside.  We also give it away to the public who visit the site, including our visitors to Santa Special, and to do this we need it available by the beginning of December.

It is something we all take for granted but as with many things within the club takes  significant effort by individual members to produce.  

Firstly the programme of public running and events has to be put together which requires considerable consultation within the club and with Bristol City Council on other Park Events.    Unfortunately the Council does not seem to know when these events are taking place, they are probably the only people in Bristol who do not know the dates of next years Balloon Festival.    We then have to resort to seeking out and asking the organisers of the indivdual events for the dates – no small task and one which is carried out each year by our Operations Manager Mike Keighley. 

Once we know the programme dates, work starts on the publication of the threefold.  This needs to be clearly laid out to provide all the information in a readable style and also be attractive and sell our “product” to the public.   This job is done by Clem Culverhouse who uses his skills in photography and publishing which we have seen often in past Newsletters  to produce the threefold and then organises the printing and distribution.

Just two examples of the work done by members which is often taken for granted but without which we could not operate in the professional and successful manner we strive to achieve.

Well done to Mike and Clem.

SCHOOL TRIP

Last week we had a visit from the local school, Bridge Learning Campus,  Hartcliffe.

The children, from reception and class one, had  Little Red Engine as their topic this term and they came along to ride on a real engine.   60 children turned up on Tuesday and 60 on the Wednesday accompanied by a large squad of very willing helpers and we opened up the track and gave them all  rides on the railway.     The thing they enjoyed best was undoubtedly the tunnel which featured in the story they had learnt.  They showed their delight by screaming all the way through. They were also warned to watch out for crocodiles under the bridge which caused much amusement.

The members all enjoyed giving them a ride.  They were extremely well behaved apart from a few noisy helpers -:), also they gave us a generous donation and even the weather was kind.

They followed this up with two splendid thank you cards signed by all the children which you will see appended. A real pleasure to share our hobby with such an appreciative audience.

Ground Level Track

A bitterly cold day at the track today and very wisely not many people turned up but come on folks we cannot stay indoors all winter.  The few who turned up  had a cup of tea and decided that with Santa Special not far away at the beginning of December, we would not to take any ground level track up at this stage.  After Santa we will start on track replacement in ernest,  Just hope we get some decent weather.  Initially we will take up the existing track leading away from the station and then have a concentrated effort to dig up and refurbish the track bed before we start on replacing the track.    The ground level flat bed truck has been brought out of storage but remains in the carriage shed until required.  When we get nearer the date for track refurbishment we will be looking for help to break up the track bed and lay a new base.  I will be doing some encouraging so watch out.

Roller Blind

Frank has been busy in the booking office installing a roller blind which will stop prying eyes, especially when the money is being counted at the end of the day.  

Everything is looking very spick and span in the station following the redecoration.

Look who turned up.

Last weekend we went on our travels including a wander round Llangollen and look who should be there.   I am sure I have seen a gantry signal like that before somewhere!

Last Running Day of 2012

Sunday was the last running day of the year and what a day we had.   The weather was wall to wall sunshine,  we carried over 2,400 passengers including 130 beavers and had 16 engines on the track – not all at the same time.

This was passenger hauling at it’s best.  By keeping five trains rolling through with fast loading and despatch we managed to keep the ground level queue to a reasonable length even when the 130 beavers turned up for their annual day out.     On the raised track we had all the rolling stock out and trains queuing at the station all afternoon to pick up passengers.    Despite everybody’s efforts we still had queues over the bridge but nobody seemed to mind.  With the sun shining  everybody had come out to enjoy themselves and have a good time.  The car parks were heaving and the park facilities stretched to capacity but it was all taken in great spirit.  With eleven  locomotives   (seven steamers) on the raised track some rationing had to take place with people running for 2 hours and then swapping but a good time was had by all.   A lot of coal was burnt, water consumed and ash created and a number of faces were pretty black by the end of the day.

The ladies were busy in the booking office but still found time to make the tea and keep the workers happy.

Jay turned up with a plateful of  locomotive biscuits for us all to enjoy.  Is there no end to this lad’s talents

Tomorrow and Wednesday we have a school visit – 60 children each day.  Thanks in advance for all the offers of help.  Then I am away for a short break.  No Blog this weekend but should be back again next week to see how the track replacement is going.

Lunch is Served

One of the most important of activities  at Ashton Court on a Friday is lunch.    Many subjects are discussed some engineering problems are solved, more are created and the world in general is put to rights.           After a detailed discussion today on plane crashes the chat turned to the subject of the web and in particular the BSMEE Web site.    it was apparent that most people made use of it.  The most popular reason being to find out the subject of our next meeting at Begbrooke.  The view was expressed that nothing much happend on the site but what most  had not realised was that they could interact and post items such as “For Sale” or comments on the Forum or even start a new thread.   You could even reply to a blog if you wish.     Why not give it a go, we could do with some lively discussions and that would certainly make the site more interesting.    Harrison has established the framework it is up to us all to bring it to life.  Go on have a go.

Track Replacement

Sunday is the last public running day of the season and next Friday we can start on a new section of ground level track replacement.  Colin McEke, who is leading this project, plans to replace the curve leading out of the station, into the green tunnel and round to the bridge.  This will allow us to implement a new signalling scheme over this section.  So next Friday 19th October work will start on ripping up the old track and preparing the track bed. Anybody who can help will be most welcome.  If you can lift a spade please come along and give us a hand.  We have to get it back in running order by the beginning of December for Santa Special after which we will start on the rest of the section.

 Bogies      

PHil Bridgeway and Ron James continue their work on braking the bogies on the ground level carriages.   We now have one carriage fully braked  with calliper brakes and will be evaluating the performance before deciding on the way we should proceed.

Future Blogs

Having got to grips with this new web site it will be the place for future blogs.    I am sorry, no more facebook notifications and not quite as pretty but I hope you find the blogs interesting with news of what is happening at Ashton Court.  Please let me have your comments.

Unsung Heroes

Frank Buffham is one of the unsung heroes who work so hard at Ashton Court.  He turns up most Fridays, always with a cheerful smile and sets to work.   His specialty is strimming and the picture shows him hard at work on the grass bank adjacent to the carriage shed.   It was particularly hard work this time as the inclement weather had prevented Frank getting on with it and had also ensured some lush growth.   If he can’t get on with strimming he will find something else useful to do like blowing away leaves or mowing the grass.  With his past trade as a Master Baker he is also a very good cook and we all look forward to his birthday and the cakes he provides.  One of a number of similar heroes we have in the Society – Thanks Frank

Following an article in ME, discussion has started on providing soft water for our boilers.  Ron James and Mark Phillips are into reverse osmosis and such things.  If anybody has experience of such schemes using this process or rainwater storage etc perhaps they could contact one of these two gentlemen.

We have school parties coming to Ashton Court in the morning of 16th and 17th October and if anybody could spare some time to help please contact me.  Email BobLilley@Blueyonder.co.uk or leave a reply.