Tag: Train Orders

This Train Orders is one where we have a number of thank you messages to get out of the way before we go on to other matters.

First, thank you to those persons who turned up to help move the layout on the Wednesdays either side of the Railwayana Auction at the Heritage Centre on 25th April – your help is much appreciated. A second thank you to those purchasing the freight cars offered for sale by Phil Riley. We are pleased to say all the cars have been sold and as Phil kindly stated Calder Northern were to receive 50% of the sales total, so we will benefit to the tune of £400 for club funds – Thank you Phil for your generous offer.

A thank you letter received from a member of the public following an Easter visit to the Heritage Centre highlighted the friendship, help and assistance given by everyone they met on their day out. The letter mentioned the model railway and the general cleanliness of the site especially the North Junction Signal Box areas. It is this particular item that prompts a vote of thanks to Andy Wicks, Len and Susan Ford, Mike Turner, Terry Wynne for the sterling work undertaken to the Clubroom, Signal Display Room and Corridor which were cleaned (‘vacuumed’, dusted and washed down) till they were sparkling clean. The Trust Chairman asked us to thank those involved for their efforts.

Our friend Tom Griffiths from ‘New Joisy’ has informed us that he has just completed the final element of his MMR and is awaiting his certificate which he hopes will be presented at his Region convention later this year. Congratulations Tom, we knew you would achieve MMR status having seen the splendid models you create. Your chair in the clubroom will now have to be updated to reflect your elevation to the peerage! Tom is now MMR #557

Crewe Heritage Centre has recently introduced some new procedures for volunteers, one of which affects Calder Northern members. Any member coming to the Centre to operate our layout at a weekend or Bank Holiday, or coming to work on the layout on a Wednesday must sign their arrival and departure times in the signing-in book located just inside the Cafe Area entrance of the North Junction Signal Box. When attending Calder Northern Group events you do not need to sign the book in the Cafe Area. You will of course need to sign the sheet in the clubroom when attending Calder Northern events and pay your dues. It would also be appropriate to wear your name badges when coming on site. Please see Terry if you need a new badge.

A new Crewe Heritage Centre website is being created and this will also incorporate a new updated Calder Northern Group page. More details to follow on this matter. In the meantime anyone who has any hints or tips which they think will be useful to other members and can be put on our website please let Mike Lenz know so he can coordinate any upload of information to the new site when it is ready.

This is a request to those who are operating on North Western Mills layout. Please be aware that stretching the coiled cords on the throttles is putting undue tension on the connection that fits into the UTP sockets. If you need to move away from your control point then please, carefully disconnect the cable before moving it to another socket closer to where you need to be operating. We are going to fit additional UTP sockets very soon. Please also note that locomotive settings on other than your own model locos should not be altered. Some have complained that momentum, consisting and sound settings have been altered without them knowing. If you feel you need to make changes then please ask the loco owners permission before making any changes and then reverse those changes at the end of the day.
At our next Group event on May 16th Terry Wynne will give a short explanation of the electrics under the baseboards of North Western Mills layout – what each item is and its role in the operation of the layout. It won’t be an expert explanation just a sufficient amount of detail so that you know what each element does and where to look if a problem arises.

George Neyman has asked me to include a request for other members to think about giving a talk; a summary on a subject of their choice, a show and tell presentation or just something that will help to make our events more interesting. There must be so much knowledge and expertise in our Group which is being ‘hidden under a bushel’. Come on guys give it a whirl!

Make a note in your calendar for the weekend of July 11th/12th. We have in conjunction with Crewe Heritage Centre booked two tables to showcase our organisations at The Aviation and Transport Extravaganza in the Aviation Viewing Park at Manchester Airport. Over 15,000 visitors are expected during the weekend. Tables will be in the Concorde Hangar under that iconic aircraft. For further information on the event, post this site into your browser http://tasmanchester.co.uk/TAS_Festival.html – you will be amazed as to what is going to be on show!

If anyone has a small layout on a table they could display that would be very useful. We will need to transport magazines, leaflets and some static models to put on our table plus perhaps our display panels with some new photos on them. So any help with transport would be appreciated. Mike Hughes is going to provide some display items and give-aways. We will of course ask you the members to help be on duty on the stands during the weekend. More information will be given at our next meet on the 16th of this month.

Terry Wynne
On behalf of George Neyman

Hi, I am sending this Train Orders instead of George as I need to get information to you before our next Group meet and to urgently ask for help.

‘Fallen Flags’ Themed Event – October 4th/5th.

For an event of this sort we all know that we need volunteers to deal with car parking, tombola ticket sales, pay hut at entrance (some of the time) etc and to act as stewards to help people find their way around, plus act as locums when layout operators etc require ‘needs breaks’ etc.
So please guys do come forward to help out – after all I am organising this event this to raise funds for our group. Please don’t leave me to do it all myself, I am stressed already!

Finally we need someone to man our NMRA stand hopefully showing some models and displaying publicity and handing out membership application brochures etc.
It would be ideal if some people could be available on Friday afternoon and early on Saturday morning to assist any of the exhibitors to set up their stands where necessary – also to mark out layout positions on the Friday lunchtime.

Will those who have not yet contacted me to confirm rooms at Crewe Arms and/or reserved places for the Saturday evening dinner please do so quickly so can confirm final numbers. Current numbers for dinner stands at 33.

Publicity of our event has been posted in BRM magazine, on RM Web, UK Model Shops website, NMRA (BR) website, NMRA E-news, Roundhouse, Crewe Heritage Centre website and CanModelTrains website. Hopefully, it will also be broadcast on Radio Stoke and Signal Radio and published in the two local papers. Small posters will be placed at newsagents, local shops and on supermarket notice boards around the area. It would be good if members could also take some of these posters this coming weekend and have them displayed at newsagents, supermarkets etc where you live as well.

A number of model manufacturers plus a class 1 railroad have sent gifts for our raffle/tombola but we still need members to donate gifts to make this as good as we have done for previous events.

North Western Mills layout

There are still some minor jobs needing to be done – ballasting areas where it has become loose, finishing off street running section gardens etc, blackening windows on some buildings, signs on buildings etc. To complete these tasks we need members to come along on a Wednesday in the next three weeks or be prepared to undertake some of these jobs at our next meet on 13th September. It would be good to have the layout looking its best.

Will those thinking of bringing trains to run over the Train Show weekend please make sure coupler heights are correct and that locos are in full working order. Please don’t bring locos to test / trial as it does not look good in the eyes of the public if everything stops whilst someone is messing about with an item. We need to keep trains running all the time and for members to be aware that the public may want to ask questions of have explanations of what we are doing. Please talk to people and tell them about our group and activities.

Calder Northern Meet dates for 2015

The Meet dates for 2015 are published and you can collect a list of dates at our 13th September meeting. These dates will also be advised in the next official Train Orders from the Secretary.

Terry Wynne
Fallen Flags event organiser

Notes for TRAIN ORDERS

The Fallen Flags Meet is now behind us and I wish to say a big thank you to those who helped over the weekend of the show. It was a lot of work and thankfully the event went off OK without too many glitches.
First a thank you to Roy Harris, for help in putting Show information on rail websites and placing signs on the roundabout on Vernon Way. Thanks also to all those who took posters to place in shops locally. A huge thank you must go to all those who helped on the Sat/Sun in the pay hut, on car park duties and making sure exhibitors were looked after.
I am pleased to say all the exhibitors, traders and caterers said they had enjoyed the event and particularly the friendly welcome from Calder Northern Group members. They also commented on the great atmosphere as well as the unique environment of the Heritage Centre that we are able to enjoy.
There are still a couple of payments to make but despite a poor day on the Sunday in terms of people through the gate and poor sales at the kitchen we did manage a very small surplus. A good portion of this must surely be down to efforts of John & Mary Hey, organising the Tombola with 102 prizes and ticket sales of £400. Grateful thanks John & Mary, you were superb!
A much improved Crewe Arms provided a good meal, promptly served on the Saturday evening for 32 people and the hotel were pleased we had booked 12 rooms with them as well. I understand another 4 rooms were booked at other hotels close by over the weekend.
To those members who operated layouts or assisted operators and exhibitors with the erection/dismantling, of layouts, my thanks to you all.

One ‘blooper’ did occur and that was in respect of the donated gifts from the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The company sent us 2 sets of enamel pins in presentation boxes and 3 sets of cloth patches in little pouches depicting all the “fallen flags” associated with the NS Company. It was intended that these would be some of the Tombola prizes but we forgot to include them on the prize table on the day.
It has been decided that we will hold a sealed bid competition or an auction for these items and the monies raised will go to club funds. They are really beautifully done and will be a great prize for the lucky 5 people – they will be dealt with at our Christmas Meet.

It was good to have Tom Griffiths with us again and Tom was pleased to be relieved of mop duties this year but he did gain experience with the ‘Hoover’ a fact that his family back home will be pleased to hear! He was also awarded over the weekend, his own (high) chair which has been suitably inscribed with his name.
Tom has very kindly donated a brass “Shoreham Shops – CB&Q 52 seat brass coach” to Calder Northern Group in appreciation of the kindness and friendship extended to him by our members.
Thank you Tom, it is a lovely gift and much appreciated by all of us.
Tom has said that he will leave it to us how best to ‘get rid’ of this model but from the proceeds he suggests that we purchase a Bachmann 4-4-0 loco (or two) if the sale allows. It was agreed this extremely generous gesture by Tom should not just go into club funds but that we follow his suggestion and make an appropriate purchase for Devils Creek. The coach has been handed to Richard Maxwell asking him to dispose of it for us but if he finds no takers, then we will list the coach on e-bay.

North Western Mills layout

For those of you who have experienced some problems when running sound locos towing lighted passengers cars on the layout and your trains have stuttered along on the front section, well the problem has been solved! Like all men, we install things before reading the instructions; the circuit breakers had been installed without anyone reading the instructions and therefore we did not realise they were set at default at 2.5amp hence all the problems of the power cutting out! We have reset these to 5amp and a full train of lighted cars and sound locos have now negotiated the layout without stalling or a flicker of interior lighting. A further test will take place on the next Wednesday to make sure all is now fixed.

Next meeting

At the next meeting in November we need to investigate the boxes under the layout and go through the contents to clear up what looks an eyesore! Anything that is saleable will be offered to members and items that are of no use will be put in the waste bin. However, if there is anything you think may be of use to you when we have sorted out the items then please say what you think it is worth and all offers will be considered. It will be a first come first served basis so do come along to the next meeting.

Christmas Raffle and prizes

We will be asking for members to donate prizes for the Christmas Raffle and we welcome any gifts that you can provide for our annual event. Mince pies will be served as usual at the meeting.

March Meeting Reminder The postponed “Ladies thank you Valentine celebration” will now take place on Saturday 15th March, when we will provide champagne and chocolates for the ladies, thanking them for putting up with us and our hobby! Will those members bringing their wives or partners along please advise Terry Wynne by phone 01270 567050 or e-mail <T_WYNNE@sky.com>before Friday 14th so he can ensure we have sufficient supplies on hand.

Activities at the Heritage Centre; Activities at the Heritage Centre are listed for information and to advise members about possible parking issues that may arise. On Saturday, 15th March the Centre is hosting a “Diesel Weekend” and there will more cars in the parking areas on site than usual. Car sharing is recommended where possible to reduce demand. Remember that the TESCO car-park has a 3 hour limit and a fixed £70 penalty if this time limit is exceeded. There are public pay and display parking areas on the other side of the TESCO roundabout. On the 22nd and 23rd of March, the Centre has scheduled a “DRS event”. Our layout will be on display and we need some volunteers to operate of one or both days.

Weekend Operations: It is important that we all share in the responsibility to operate our layout and meet and greet visitors who come into our area when the Centre is open. This period is from the Easter week-end in April until the last week-end in September. Les Herriot has prepared a list which will be displayed on the wall for each member to select which day or days they can help. If every member would volunteer for one days operation, it would be sufficient to cover the entire period the Centre will be open. This may not be possible for everyone, but it is a wonderful way to improve one’s operational ability with the layout.

Potential new members: Terry reports that during the “Model train and Miniature Railway” event March 1st and 2nd, two potential new member took away enrolment forms. One, a person living locally and the other, a gentleman who lives in Wrexham. Hopefully both will come along to our next meeting and we can make certain they see what we are all about. Both seem very keen and the Wrexham gent is an N scaler so that would be a boost to the few members who enjoy that scale. There is also another person who has expressed an interest in joining and he lives is Ellesmere, Shropshire. Under the British Region admin, he and the gent from Wrexham would be considered Red Dragon members but both have said that Crewe is obviously the place to attend meetings.

Trevor Austin’s accident: Our friend and fellow member Trevor Austin is currently in hospital in Crewe. In the month prior to our February meeting, Trevor had a couple of periods when he experienced short blackouts. A trip to the hospital and a ECG did not show anything untoward. However, following a Wednesday gang session two weeks ago, Trevor had another blackout whilst walking past the APT on his way home. An ambulance called and whilst in hospital over the next few days, they said he needed a DCC decoder fitting (that is a pacemaker to those of a non-medical background!) which was done at the hospital in Newcastle, Staffs. Trevor was doing well and enjoying being home again but on Sunday last he experienced chest pains and his wife got him to the hospital where he is still. We have asked his wife June to tell him we are all thinking of him and wish him well soon. A get well card was sent to his home on behalf of all CN Group members. More news when we hear.

Nominations: Last month a call was made for nominations for 4 Committee members to be placed on the ballot for the AGM vote Again a reminder to advise your Secretary, George Neyman, of your nominees. Remember that the individual nominated must be willing to serve prior to placing his name in nomination for any of the 4 Committee posts.

AGM: The AGM is scheduled for Sunday, 13 April. This is a call for any agenda items that should be put in place for discussion at the AGM. Please advise your Secretary, or our Chairman, Les Herriot.

Layout Reassembly: A good crowd of willing workers turned up for the February meeting ready to reassemble and troubleshoot the layout after the renovation of the room. The Wednesday gang had gotten everything in readiness and even put many of the modules in place, the work went ahead with excellent results. Well done to all! A brief discussion ensued wherein several projects were briefly discussed. A new locomotive terminal is to be added alongside the Mike Lenz’s repositioned diesel terminal and a turn-back loop on one side of the Devil’s Creek layout. Volunteers are solicited for anyone interested in undertaking either of these future projects.

L&NWR sold: We have just heard that the Pete Waterman’s L&NWR business has been sold to Jeremey Hosking (an investment portfolio manager who owns something like a dozen steam locomotives) and in addition this gent is also buying the Crewe Diesel Depot. Full details have yet to be confirmed and the implications relating to the Heritage Centre will be advised when these are known.

Clinics / Demonstrations: You will recall that a call was made in the February Train Orders for members to list modelling areas they would like to hear discussed or for volunteers to prepare demonstrations or clinics covering the requested subjects. None of these requests for specific subject areas have come forward but we do have some volunteers to discuss some specific topics. Initially, Len Ford will present on computer control using the Hornby e-link controller for the May meeting. George Neyman will share some information on acoustic performance of speakers in diesel and steam models for the June meeting. These are confirmed events and we are working on filling out the year with a number of discussion topics. There is room to put your ideas into this planning picture.

European Region: A note picked up from the NMRA e-News. The European Region has been approved . Nobby Clarke, former Atlantic District Director is the temporary Chair for the new Region.

Happy New Year to you all.

We are pleased to advise that the Crewe Heritage Centre Trust in their meeting on 11th December approved the proposal discussed by two Trust members with Steve and Terry back in October. This approval allows Calder Northern Division to use the room we call our clubroom for a further 3 year period at a fixed rent of £650 per annum. It also allows use of other Signal Box facilities such as kitchen and toilets etc. A new agreement is in the process of being produced and we are requested to make any comments/amendments to be included on the content before it is signed off. The proposed new agreement requires us to operate, within reason, the CN layouts when the Centre is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays as is the current practice.
At our next meeting on Saturday 18th January we will explain further on this matter and seek member’s views before responding to the Trust.

At our next meet we will be asking as many of you as possible to assist in ‘breaking down’ the layouts and moving the modules into the Signal Display room for temporary storage. The Wednesday gang will we hope have done a lot of the preparatory work in readiness for dismantling the layouts. Once the clubroom is cleared it will allow the Volunteers to come in and remove the old carpeting prior to decorating the room. New carpet will be laid after the decorating is finished and we can then start to return everything back into the room. It is anticipated that our February meet may be either moved to another date in the month or depending on the timetable the Volunteers are able to meet we might cancel the February meet altogether. We will keep you advised regularly on this as we go along.

In addition to your help on the 18th we have found in the debris under the HO layout a number of items which we intend to dispose of – decal sheets, a couple of old diesel locos, books and magazines and other odds & ends – it is make us an offer situation!

Michael Coates, Sir, there are some magazines of yours under the tables which must be moved, are we OK to sell (if we can) or dispose of these please?

Don’t forget our April meet is the AGM and nominations for positions on the committee are required by 31st March. Please mail your nomination to George Neyman (Secretary)

The December Christmas meet and raffle was very successful with over £200 being raised from the raffle. Thanks to all who gave prizes and to John & Mary for their brilliant work selling tickets and making the draw. It was also very encouraging to see 30 members attending – the most for a good long time! Keep coming so we can start to add various other worthwhile activities in the future.

See you Saturday!

Les Herriot
Chairman

Hi,

The presentation by Jason Shron of Rapido Trains, Canada on the 20th went extremely well and from the comments from those attending they thoroughly enjoyed an entertaining and humorous event. Jason first showed a couple of videos – the ‘coach in his basement’ and how they obtained the sound for the latest locomotive they are producing; this prior to showing current and previously marketed models and demonstrating the sound and running capabilities. He spoke of other issues in bringing a model to the market as well current situation in China.
I am pleased to report that Jason has advised that he felt the presentation went very well and was so pleased to see so many people there – 30 in all including those who just popped in for a short time. He appreciated the welcome he and Dan Garcia were given and said that we made them both feel very much at home.
It was good to see Chris Leigh from ‘Model Rail’ magazine and Andy York from RMWeb who conducted an interview with Jason in the APT. This can be seen if you log onto Rapido Trains website or on RMWeb’s own site. Thanks to all who attended and supported this event.
Jason did not reveal the UK model in OO scale that he is going to produce as he does not want another supplier to step in and introduce the same model before he does.
Jason & Dan were both presented with Honorary Membership of Calder Northern Division certificates by Les Herriot which they appreciated very much.

This Train Orders is of course a reminder about the Christmas Meet on the 8th – we hope you are all going to attend and partake of mince pies and of course enjoy the raffle. We are still looking for additional raffle prizes to make it a bumper session and ask that anything you are able to donate should be handed to John & Mary Hey before the raffle begins. Thanks to those who have sent raffle prizes so far. Jason has kindly donated a couple of HO passenger cars as well as two N scale passenger cars for our Christmas raffle. We also have a Rapido Trains HO scale CP caboose as a prize. So even if you are unable to come to our Christmas Meet on Sunday 8th December you can send money for your raffle tickets – we have many other prizes too – or you can just send the money anyway!

Speaking with Dave Gunn the other day Dave tells us that following on from his VIA Rail presentation a couple of months ago (see September Train Orders) VIA Rail have asked him to undertake another set of presentations but this time between Halifax and Vancouver. He and Pam will make the trip part of a vacation and break their journey a number of times. Congratulations Dave and best wishes from all of us. If you need extra assistance on the train there are a number of your friends here with bags already packed.

Congratulations to Jonathan Small and to Peter Prydderch for their excellent articles in Roundhouse magazine.

For those not at the last meeting in November we would like to advise you of the current situation regarding the Calder Northern discussions with the Heritage Centre Trust prior to a Trust meeting on Wednesday 11th December when the proposals will be put forward for ratification by the Trust.
We will also be explaining what is going to happen early in the New Year in respect of the clubroom being decorated and how members can offer help in clearing the room etc. We have some sorting out of the various ‘coffins’ as well numerous boxes under the wall mounted part of the layout. This is a good opportunity for a bit of housekeeping and selling off any surplus items not needed for the HO or N scale layouts.

Our 2014 dates have been published in Roundhouse and on the British Region web pages but for those who wish a hard copy for home can pick up a calendar of dates on the Sunday 8th.

With very best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

Les Herriot
Chairman

Hi,

As you are aware Crewe Heritage Centre Trust received a proposal from the organisers of the Railway auctions of a higher payment for 6 weeks sole use of the room we use as our ‘clubroom’. The Trust asked Calder Northern to submit a proposal that took into account an increased rent for our continued use and/or for us to make arrangements for our layouts to be made portable so they could be moved should any organisation wish to hire the facilities. After many weeks of trying to arrange a preliminary meeting prior to that of the Trustees committee meeting Calder Northern learnt a few days ago that the proposal from the Railwayana auctions people has been withdrawn. This does not mean the issue has gone away but we do have an opportunity to meet with the Trust to discuss how best we can work with them to both improve the facilities and seek some stability with regard to our use of the room and our involvement in the Centres activities. A meeting is planned for 16th October when Steve and Terry will put Calder Northern’s views.

This coming weekend the Railwayana auction will take place (5th October) and so both Devils Creek and North Western Mills layouts will be moved back against the walls to make space for auction sales tables. Volunteers will have moved the layouts when you read this notice but the following Wednesday 9th October we will need as many members as possible to help put layouts back in position and test them before the next weekends train show.

The 5th/6th October would have been our bi-annual themed event and the opportunity to add a good surplus of funds into our bank account for future use. As you know our meet had to be postponed due to the auction and it has been agreed we will now hold the themed event on the first weekend in October 2014. Some of you may have realised that our revised meet date of the 13th October is during the CHC Friends group train show weekend. We have since been asked to participate in this and it is now to be a joint British/American 2 day model and miniature train show with all gate monies going into the Heritage Centre’s Class 47 no. 1842 support fund. The aim is to bring the Class 47 up to its previous running standard so that it can be hired out and generate income for the Trust.
Calder Northern members coming to the event on Saturday / Sunday (meet day) should pay the gate entrance fee and not wait until they walk down to the NJSB. Please note that if you plan on coming both days then you only pay the one entry fee. However, we will have the signing sheet (no payment) in the clubroom to tally up who attends the meet. We ask that you also purchase your tea and coffee etc, at the counter on the day. We feel in view of the current circumstances this is the best way for us to deal with things before the Trust meeting. Another thing – can you please car share as much as you can to help with reducing any car parking problems that might arise, thank you!
Les is bringing along his HO layout, Chris Gilbert is showing his HO layout, Cavern Books will have a selection of British and American railway books plus we will be operating our two HO layouts and N scale layout (John Baggaley) plus Mike’s layout will be operating. If anyone knows of someone who would like to bring an American layout for either both days or even just one of them can they please tell Terry Wynne by e-mail or phone as soon as possible.

The Wednesday gang have kept busy installing new buildings and adding scenery and a new road surface to the street running area. Future electrical work is planned when the installation and relocation of some frog juicers is undertaken to help eliminate little spasmodic hiccups with Peco electrical switches that have been a problem when operating at weekends.

We have a number of Blu-Ray and regular DVD’s for sale and these will be available at the October meet. There are also some VHS Tapes which have been around for a while which we need to dispose of at low prices.

Our friend from ‘New Joisey’ Tom Griffiths will be arriving on 9th October and will be helping out at the train show. He is pleased he won’t be on mop duties this time! Tom will also be at the Region Convention in Meriden and hosting a clinic. He asks that we extend his best wishes and regards to everyone and he looks forward to seeing you all again.

Jason Shron, president of Rapido Trains in Canada is coming to Crewe around 20th-25th of November and wishes to host a presentation and demonstration of current models and explain about the processes of manufacturing trains today in China. Jason is a great orator and this will be a fun session. Details will be sent out once we know the exact schedule but the presentation will be a weekday – late afternoon/early evening in the NJSB. Invitations will be open to anyone who wishes to come along.

Dave Gunn says hello to everyone! Dave earlier this year co-organised the convention for the Maritime Federation of Model Railroaders in his home town of Tatamagouche in Nova Scotia. It was an amazing success story with TV coverage, huge attendance, great displays and models with many prizes offered by hobby stores and by VIA Rail. In fact VIA Rail gave free journey tickets to a school party and a special ticket for two of a return trip to Montreal from Halifax on “The Ocean”. VIA Rail’s Atlantic director visited Dave’s home to see his layout and on seeing his model buildings suggested he give a workshop on the topic on the train from Halifax to Montreal. This past week Dave presented his workshop and is to give additional workshops in the future. Well done Dave and VIA Rail. Some of us have offered our services to help keep scalpels sharp etc and are awaiting the call! LOL!!

We extend our good wishes for continuing recovery to members Bob Bevan and George Neyman who have recently had surgery and to Derek Milby who says he is taking things slowly for the time being. He is getting around locally for now but hopes to be at Crewe as soon as he can. He wants me to pass on his regards to everyone.

Our November meeting will be a celebration of Calder Northern Division 30th year of existence and a cake is being arranged. So do come along to enjoy the day and the cake!

Thoughts for our Christmas meet should be entering your minds (well the Christmas cards are in the shops aren’t they!) as we need prizes and donations for our raffle – all donations will be greatly appreciated. Please let Les know what you are able to bring along and let him or Mike Lenz have these prior to the day.

Look forward to seeing you all at the train show. We need you to come along and show your support for our continued use of the clubroom and the activities of the Friends Group in keeping the Heritage Centre profile in front of the public.

See you there!

Les Herriot
Chairman

I am only mailing this information as I still have the mailing list prior to handing this to the new Chairman and Secretary.

The AGM yesterday saw 29 members signing in which was most encouraging. There were no nominations before the meeting for the vacant Chairman position but Les Herriot agreed to take up that role. George Neyman volunteered to take on the Secretary position and both were elected unanimously – in other words nobody else wanted to be involved!

Agenda items –
Security of the clubroom featured very strongly and for those of you who could not make the meeting I detail below some of the facts. We have recently experienced a number of items going missing from the clubroom or from a member’s toolbox. Last Saturday Andy Wickes and Bob Bevan were to operate trains on the HO layout but when they arrived they found the 4 pin connector which plugs into the DCC Command Box had been unscrewed and deliberately removed. After a search of the room it became obvious somebody had vandalised the unit. A new part has been sourced courtesy of Mike Lenz making contact with NCE in the USA who have kindly agreed to mail 2 connectors free of charge. Options for future secure storage were discussed and more details will follow soon.

The clinics that could not take place during the past few months are to be given in the near future and dates will be advised in Train Orders.

The planned “Fallen Flags” Themed Meet scheduled for the weekend of 12th/13th October has been postponed. This is due to a number of layout owners and traders saying that they are unable to come along on that weekend. We also realise that our organisational efforts on this started much too late due to a number of factors so it was felt that we should postpone the event until the first weekend in October next year – 2014. Therefore we are arranging to co-operate with the Crewe Heritage Centre volunteers and put on a two day train show on that 12/13th weekend instead. This will be a joint British and American layout show and hopefully the visitor attractions such as miniature railway and brake van rides will also be available. Further information will follow on this matter in Train Orders and at monthly meets.

The situation of the HO layout being operated at weekends when the Heritage Centre is open to the public was discussed. Currently Andrew Wickes is on site operating his trains virtually every Saturday & Sunday. Whilst his efforts are greatly appreciated it is unfair to expect him to be there, sometimes on his own every day each weekend. It was proposed that each member be asked to say which day they would be prepared to come along to the Heritage Centre during the period Easter to end of September and take their turn to operate the HO layout. It would mean you offering to come along for just one day only, either a Saturday or a Sunday to operate. Andrew may be available as well on that day as may others but it is not unreasonable for members to volunteer for just one day during that 26 weekend period. A list is being prepared so you can nominate the day of your choice.
You may not know that recently the Heritage Centre Trust received a proposal which asked for our group to be removed from the Lecture Room with the proposer offering a higher rental fee to use the facilities. Fortunately for us some members of the Trust fought our corner and it was stated that the Trust felt our activity in operating trains for public viewing at weekends was a much valued attraction for the Centre and its visitors. So you see it is in our best interests to keep up that good work and support of the Trustees but not to burden one person with the responsibility of being there every day. Do please do your part.

A decision to retain the existing tea/coffee arrangements was approved but a donation each month will be made to the Heritage Centre.

Terry Wynne
for Les Herriot, Chairman

Friends, Welcome to my first Train Orders as your new Chairman.

As you are very much aware recent activity has been overtaken by the problems we faced following the proposal given to Crewe Heritage Trust in April with an offer to take over the room we use as our clubroom. All of your committee plus a few others have been working very hard to put together a statement to the Trust providing a detailed explanation of the group’s thoughts, hopes and the issues we felt should be considered. As a result we have been invited to a meeting with the Trust do discuss our proposals and to seek common ground; our aim being to retain our occupation of the room in question and to continue as an advertised attraction on the site.

With the above issue hanging over the group little has been done on the HO layout but hopefully this can be remedied over the next few weeks. In addition one topic the Trust raised was that we should be looking to make the layouts in the room more adaptable/moveable should someone wish to hire the room for an event. It is in everyone’s interest to think of possible solutions so that we could debate these before putting forward our thoughts to the Trust.

Another matter which needs to be raised again is that of arranging cover to operate the HO layout each weekend and Bank Holiday until the end of September. This matter is becoming more important particularly with the ongoing situation with the Trust as we don’t want to give them any opportunity to criticise our group whilst discussions are going on. Early discussions with certain Trust members has indicated they wish us to participate more in Centre activities and it looks more likely this may be part of any future requirements if Calder Northern are to remain as a advertised attraction on site.
I have a roster chart and as previously explained all each member needs do is volunteer to be available to operate just one Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday Monday before the Centre closes for the winter period. You can ring me or e-mail me and I will put your name on the list. Ideally we would like two or more people to operate but if only one person is available then that will suffice although it means that person will have to be on their feet all day. More than one does allow one person to take a break and have a walk around. Andrew Wickes and Bob Bevan have valiantly carried us all over many weeks (thank you very much guys!) and have indicated they will be available for some weekends. Please make sure you call me as we must not fail now when there seems to be a glimmer of hope in us remaining at the Centre.

At our August meeting on Sunday 11th I will be giving my clinic titled “Les’s anti-wobble washers and solving coupler height adjustment” – do come along to see how you can correct any problems you are experiencing with your rolling stock. In fact if you bring the offending car then we can fix it on that day.

As you know we had to re arrange our calendar to accommodate the Railway Auction event for the first weekend in October (5th & 6th) when we had intended to hold our bi-annual themed event. A revised date of the following weekend 12th & 13th was selected but due to a number of traders and layouts not being available we decided to abandon the themed meet for 2013 and make arrangements for 2014. If we are successful in remaining at the Heritage Centre (HC) then we will proceed on that basis. However, the weekend of the 12th/13th will now be our normal monthly meet plus we will join with the HC Friends Group to put on a joint Train Show. Therefore, anyone with a layout they would like to exhibit please let me know as well as any traders who you think might like to come along. Travelling expenses (petrol etc) will be paid but not overnight accommodation. Calder Northern’s layouts will be operating through the weekend.

This year is the 30th Anniversary of Calder Northern being formed as a Division. We will be celebrating during the weekend of 12th/13th October so do make sure you come along for a piece of cake and a chat about past times.

We have just heard that Derek Milby has suffered a heart attack, information is unclear at the moment but more news as soon as it is fully known.

Please note my E-mail address is leslieherriot@talktalk.net and my telephone number is 01204 305457

Les Herriot,
Chairman

This is my last Train Orders

Friends,

This is my last Train Orders before I relinquish the post of Chairman of Calder Northern Division. I have only myself to blame when I ended up being cajoled into taking on the role of Chairman following what I thought was just a useful suggestion to send out a questionnaire to find out what members might like to see or be part of in a future CN Division should we have to move from Broadheath. This you will remember was back in 2005 – as they say the rest is history. I can honestly say I have enjoyed the role immensely and am indebted to all the other committee members for their support and assistance throughout these past 8 years.
Considerable thanks also go to all of you, Calder Northern members, as you have rallied round and supported CN in all the activities since we moved to Crewe. The relocation to Crewe was not welcomed by some but the move was forced upon us and with no possibility of finding accommodation which we could afford in the Manchester area, despite many enquiries, Mike Lenz kindly followed up with Crewe Heritage Centre Trustees to sanction us using the facilities we now enjoy. Since we moved to Crewe in late 2006 we have advanced a lot and achieved a good amount of work in building two layouts and acquiring a third. Our numbers may not be as high as we would ideally wish but those who are able to come along do so regularly and I say thank you to you all for your dedication to the group and the assistance you give to each other each month and at the Wednesday working gang sessions.
Some may ask why then are you leaving the post when you enjoy it so much. Well for one thing I think a change of Chairman can only be a good thing for the group, plus it is the chance for someone else to take an active role in the Division activities. Another reason is that with current family matters the way they are I would like to use any spare time I can towards building my own layout in my garage. The garage was built 6 years ago solely for my layout and nothing has been done in there. I aim to put that right before the place starts to sink under all the junk that has accumulated through lack of purpose. I still aim to be active in other CN activities especially with the HO layout working group and will still be part of the team for our “Fallen Flags” Themed event for the weekend of 12th/13th October.
I am therefore appealing to you all to decide between yourselves who is to take over the post of Chairman. Les Herriot so far has not received any nominations and therefore will accept nominations (with the nominees agreed permission) right up to any vote at the AGM on Sunday 21st April.

Now to other matters –

On Wednesday 17th April we will need to move the Devil’s Creek layout against the wall of the clubroom and may need to move the outer part of the HO layout to enlarge the floor space in readiness for the Railwayana Auction which is taking place on Saturday 20th April. The auction will be using the Signal Display Room as well as our clubroom but they have assured the Trustees that all will be cleared from the rooms in time for our Sunday meeting. We will of course have to return our layouts to their normal position on Sunday morning so any help will be welcomed to complete this task.

Now don’t forget our AGM is on this coming Sunday the 21st. General club meeting as usual but the AGM will start at 1pm in the Signal Display Room. So do try and come along as it your opportunity to voice your opinions and listen to the views of fellow members.

At the AGM Mike Lenz will be giving some details of costs should members decide to opt for pre-packed tea/coffee etc at meets instead of ‘do-it-yourself’ in the kitchen as is the current method – So voting caps on please for this once you know details.

Steve Park has advised me he will not be at our AGM meeting due to it being Steve and Noleen’s Golden Wedding Anniversary – I am sure we all wish them ‘Congratulations’. I will be mailing a card to them from the group, although I would have thought on this occasion both of them could have come along!!
(says he ducking beneath the parapet!)
Following our March meeting a good amount of the items from the estate of Norman Davies were sold. However, the remainder including many rather nice building items will be on sale at our AGM meet. Anything then remaining will be offered at the Black Diamonds, Weston on Trent Meet.

The Themed Meet on 12th/13th October (please ensure you have updated your calendar to reflect the change of date) will have the title “Fallen Flags” and hopefully we can show a number of layouts with this theme. So far we have two traders booked plus a bookseller. Currently two layouts confirmed and a number of people are checking their bookings to ascertain if they are free to exhibit. A suggestion that we also have a British layout is being followed up as is our usual extra events such ‘as be a driver for a fiver’ and miniature railway rides. John Hey is working on some advertising for Roundhouse and the Region website. Ideas for other sites would be welcomed.
Saturday night dinner at a local hotel will also be part of the event. Accommodation deals are being discussed at the moment.

If anyone has any models, publicity material which is suitable and they are prepared to put on display based on our Fallen Flags theme then we will be most pleased. Do let Terry Wynne know what you have available.

I have been asked by Alan Wyatt to announce that he has a copy of the book (containing two titles) “The National Dream” by Pierre Berton & “The Last Spike”. Alan is kindly offering this free of any cost to anyone interested. The book is about the building of the transcontinental line across Canada and tells of the intrigue and infighting of this amazing feat.
Alan tells me his wife is back in hospital again following some chemotherapy. I am sure I speak for all of us when I send our thoughts and good wishes to them both and to wish his wife a speedy recovery.

Well that’s all I can bring to mind and anything omitted will be advised at the AGM.

Thanks again to everyone for their help and support.

Terry
Chairman (for less than one week now!)

Greetings!

Our next meeting is on Saturday March 23rd and we look forward to as many of you as possible coming along. Les Herriot will be giving a talk on his famous “Anti-wobble washers and coupler height adjustment”. We have suggested Les gives his talk around 1.30pm so you can all have your lunch beforehand.
In addition to the talk from Les we will be displaying items for sale from the late Norman Davies collection. As many of you who knew Norman he was great builder of structures and some of those will be on the tables so you can make a bid and eventually purchase one of the items. Included in models brought from Norman’s home were books, locomotives, freight and passenger cars (not as many as we expected however!) plus many items for building or detailing models – i.e. styrene, decals etc. Western Pacific RR dominates the collection. Your committee took a decision last Wednesday to acquire the small tools, airbrush, mini-drill, scenic materials and a chopper table for use by club members. A suitable payment will be put into the funds to be handed in due course to Pat his widow. We will endeavour to raise as much cash for her as we possibly can. Please note that anything not sold at our March meeting will be placed on sale at the Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, meet on 26th-28th April.

Our meeting on Sunday April 21st is our AGM and we ask members to come along as early as they can to help move the HO layout back into position as this will have been moved to make room for the Railwayana Auction the day before. It should also be noted that the steam locomotive “Tornado” will be on the site that day and hopefully Brake Van rides behind the loco will be offered to everyone wishing to participate.

A cautionary note concerning nominations for the position of Chairman, I understand so far there has only been one nomination received by Les Herriot, that being for Mike Lenz. However, Mike has since advised that he is unable to remain as a candidate as it might be seen, if he is elected, as a conflict of interest with his position as Heritage Centre Manager. Therefore, it is in all your best interests to seek additional nominations from other members for this position. Terry, as you know is standing down and he has indicated that he will not be cajoled into staying on for a bit longer. Therefore, please don’t forget the person you nominate must agree to their name being put forward.

We were pleased to see 23 members sign in for our last meeting in February and additionally delighted that we could say a big thank you to the 5 ladies who came along for champagne and chocolates. It was especially nice to see and talk to Brenda Porter again and more so that she is hoping to come to Crewe again later in the year.

We are still looking for members to run trains on the layouts at weekends during the open season of the Heritage Centre. We cannot let Andrew, Bob, Brian, plus Len & David do it for another year without some input from other members. So come on, all it needs is for you to come along for one day either a Saturday or a Sunday ( just one day in the year – that is all we ask) but we need to know at least a couple of weeks in advance so we don’t have too many one week and none on another. Please note you do not need to own or bring along DCC locos or rolling stock as we do have club items that can be used.

Our Themed Event in October needs to be moved forward and would those who said they would help in preparation (Steve Scot is unfortunately not going to be at the meeting on Saturday) please note that we will have a short get together to discuss layouts and who should approach layout owners. If we each deal with one owner then the workload is spaced and no one has an overload.

I would like to receive feedback from members on the British Region Newsletter which was
E-mailed to you this past week, in particular your views as to what kind of information we could or should submit about Calder Northern matters and happenings.

Lastly, Les Herriot informs me that this year is the 30th Anniversary of Calder Northern being formed as a Division. Ideas as to how we can celebrate this will be most welcome. Thank you.

Terry Wynne
Chairman