Our Members' Activities and Interests
As in most model engineering societies, live steam and operating our miniature railway is at the forefront of operations, but our membership has a very wide variety of other interests as well - most model engineering activities are only seen by the public at exhibitions. Whilst some members have engineering backgrounds and/or have built several successful working steam models, many members were absolute beginners and are encouraged and assisted by the more experienced - that's the true benefit of being in a society like ours - help is always at hand. We also have a thriving social side - 'fun run' steam ups and barbecues as well as a Christmas dinner and winter evening talks are always well attended. Here are some more of our activities and interests:
As in most model engineering societies, live steam and operating our miniature railway is at the forefront of operations, but our membership has a very wide variety of other interests as well - most model engineering activities are only seen by the public at exhibitions. Whilst some members have engineering backgrounds and/or have built several successful working steam models, many members were absolute beginners and are encouraged and assisted by the more experienced - that's the true benefit of being in a society like ours - help is always at hand. We also have a thriving social side - 'fun run' steam ups and barbecues as well as a Christmas dinner and winter evening talks are always well attended. Here are some more of our activities and interests:
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Locomotives
Members have built all kinds of steam locomotives and rolling stock in 7¼", 5", 3½", 2½" and smaller gauges, as well as 'diesel' hydraulics, battery electrics and other i.c. powered setups. The unique scale model on the left is a 7¼" gauge 0-4-4 coal fired Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway loco built by our club president from scratch in the traditional manner. In contrast the powerful 7¼" gauge diesel outline battery powered Rio Grande loco (shown here on Santa Special duty) was built by two of our members using CAD drawings, laser cutting, CNC machining and electronics. On the left is a photo of worn cast iron loco wheels being re-profiled in the lathe. On the right a boiler examination using a small camera to examine the inside of the firebox. |
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Traction Engines
Models are being built in several scales, e.g. a 1½" Allchin, a 2" Fowler showman's, a 4" scale Garrett, and others up to half full size. Club members have owned and operated full size steamrollers and traction engines. A 4" scale Foden steam lorry is also under construction. Unlike railway locomotives traction engines can be steamed up and operated whilst stationary, and used to drive model agricultural machinery. |
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 Click on the photo to see the gauge 1 class 25 diesel in action here.
Our Garden Railway
We operate a large scale 'garden' railway, known as the Ecclesall Woods Light Railway with 32mm and 45 mm track gauges. Most locos are radio controlled butane fired live steam narrow gauge types. Some are electrically powered. One is actually coal fired! Look out for the colourful characters on the station platform from time to time - including some well known characters from Dad's Army! |
16mm scale single Fairlie 'Taliesin' is butane gas fired. Click on the photo to watch a video of an amazing coal fired loco running on this track!
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Dad's Army characters on the station platform!
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It's ok, it's a hot air engine!
Stationary engines
Our members have a substantial collection of stationary steam and hot air engines of all sizes and usually each year a special event is organised at which they are run under steam or compressed air. Some of these can be seen in this photo of one of our annual free exhibitions.
A stationary engine can be built with a minimum of equipment, is easy to handle and to display. It is a good introduction to model engineering for a beginner. Kits and castings are readily available from Southworth Engines as well as other suppliers.
Our members have a substantial collection of stationary steam and hot air engines of all sizes and usually each year a special event is organised at which they are run under steam or compressed air. Some of these can be seen in this photo of one of our annual free exhibitions.
A stationary engine can be built with a minimum of equipment, is easy to handle and to display. It is a good introduction to model engineering for a beginner. Kits and castings are readily available from Southworth Engines as well as other suppliers.
Ships and planes, cars, clocks and many other things...
Our members are interested in anything mechanical! We have members who build ships - steam or electrically powered, aircraft, and clocks. Steam engines constructed for full size launches are also classed as model engineering. One member is constructing a working miniature jet engine. Another built his own sports car. One operates a fairground organ for charity. We have visiting speakers during the winter who give talks on all manner of interesting subjects, including the very latest engineering breakthroughs as well as more traditional model engineering topics.
Our members are interested in anything mechanical! We have members who build ships - steam or electrically powered, aircraft, and clocks. Steam engines constructed for full size launches are also classed as model engineering. One member is constructing a working miniature jet engine. Another built his own sports car. One operates a fairground organ for charity. We have visiting speakers during the winter who give talks on all manner of interesting subjects, including the very latest engineering breakthroughs as well as more traditional model engineering topics.
3D printing is now being used by some or our members to create all manner of models and parts, previously made by hand in the old fashioned way.
Two visiting locos raising steam outside the engine shed.
A typical 5" gauge visiting Sweet Pea loco on our elevated track.
RALLIES
Each year we hold rallies so that other model engineers can come along to enjoy our railway. Above is a Romulus design with a scale version of the former Lynton and Barnstaple Railways 2ft gauge YEO.
Some are specifically for locomotives based on Polly Models designs or Sweet Pea designs. Pictured is a 3½" gauge 'Sweet Violet', the smallest member of the Sweet Pea family. Our Open Weekends are also an opportunity for others to bring along their locos and enjoy our facilities.
Each year we hold rallies so that other model engineers can come along to enjoy our railway. Above is a Romulus design with a scale version of the former Lynton and Barnstaple Railways 2ft gauge YEO.
Some are specifically for locomotives based on Polly Models designs or Sweet Pea designs. Pictured is a 3½" gauge 'Sweet Violet', the smallest member of the Sweet Pea family. Our Open Weekends are also an opportunity for others to bring along their locos and enjoy our facilities.
Two visiting 7ΒΌ" gauge locos at our Open Weekend.
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A Polly Models P6 designed kit 2-6-0 visiting Abbeydale.
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