The bonfire is on the make.

It is reported some are having real problems in deciding, after recent events, whether it is appropriate to burn an effigy of someone who wanted to burn down parliament.

The Malcolm Collins memorial bench is now in position, complete with plaque. Malcolm's ashes were scattered in the adjacent garden on Thursday 311019.

Many thanks to David Jones and Lesley and Peter Loveland for the preparation, which was much appreciated.

The installation part of Phase 2 of the raised track signals project got underway on Thursday 311019 - the components having been made during the running season. This is renewal of cables and equipment from signal 1 at the station to signal 5 at the bridge. It will include the new signal 4 (on the way out, near the bonfire), which is part of the original plan and will fill the un-signalled section at the approach to the bridge. The area between signals 1 and 3 has needed more attention of late and is being replaced. Cables are already laid. Phase 2 is scheduled to be finished by the NYD club run. During this period, signals from the point area round through the tunnel to the station approach should always be available - other areas will vary.

The rain eventually went through to give fine conditions at the night run on Saturday 261019, but slightly late for Noah and Trojan.

Pictures of Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition, mainly by Leslie Spikings, Here This includes the pictures used on the stand.

Again, LMS4767 has produced a good video of the exhibition, now on YouTube, Here

Maureen and Leslie (Bob) Spikings pose in front of the completed stand. Congratulations and well done.

Picture from Graham Jones.

Pictures from Tony Kendall.

It's that time of year again.

Please be on the lookout for this 5 inch gauge live steam 0-4-0 Black Pug locomotive which was stolen on Tuesday night. It’s a very rare loco & not easy for anyone to sell on. If anyone has any information or is offered this loco please call Warwickshire Constabulary,
Crime ref: 23-42674-19.

Something slightly different at the October public run. A traction engine made an appearance. The Colchester Vintage Car Club visited and members were given a ride on our railway.

The 5in. gauge Baby Deltic, owned by Mr. David Jones (Dave), has been well occupied this year at parties and run days. The loco has been missing recently  - at Peter Loveland's workshop, where Peter and Lesley have been applying new paint. Dave had been told the colour would be pink - but, fortunately, it was prototypical after all.

The Malcolm Collins memorial bench has arrived. The preference is for it to be positioned on the raised track station. Malcolm spent much of his time at NSME as station master.
A plaque will be added soon.

Brake vans normally had a stove inside to keep the guard warm and for tea and toast -  so Norman Johnston's model brake van, on show at MMEE2019, would not be complete without one - would it?

Signal 6a, affectionately known by some as Bridget, is situated on the bridge and is the raised track advance indicator for signal S6. Suitable indication has been added.

Jon-Luc was out for a run on Wednesday 021019

Tigger and Winnie the Pooh dropped in at Noah's 4th birthday party at NSME on Saturday 280919. They arrived by train, danced with the children, took a ride with them and, sadly, left by train.

A big thank you to those who made it a great afternoon.

A treat on Sunday October 6, before the public run. The Colchester Vintage Car Club plan to drop in at about 11.00 with approximately a dozen cars, having come from Sywell. They plan to leave at about 14.00 to have lunch at the abbey and "get home before dark." The connection is their chief, Brian Aket, hails from Far Cotton.

Dreweatt's auction on Tuesday September 240919 - now has prices.

At least two people must have wanted lot 1?

The rain came on Tuesday 240919. Andy got up-and-under in the dry and a new hydraulic platform arrived - for use in transporting engines from the station to the raised track etc.

Norman Johnston is building a 5in. gauge LMS 20 ton Brake Van for David Calvert and the chassis was available for rivet-counting on Tuesday 240919. This will be displayed on the stand at MMEE2019.

Peter Squire's Tom Rolt gets ready for the stand at MMEE2019

The weather was not kind for the September Club Run on Sunday 220919 but members were brave.

Netta "Harold" gets prepared for the  Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition (MEE2019) set-up day on October 16 (Is your stuff ready? Send pictures?), and raised track signals 1 to 4 get  prepared for phase 2 starting on October 28.

Local, but where?

 Railway Tavern, London Road, Far Cotton, Northampton.

No sooner started, but the end of season approaches. With it comes the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition (MMEE2019).
Our stand is in need of a freshen-up and part of it awaits the paintbrush in the clubhouse.

Leslie (Bob) and Maureen Spikings have most of the exhibition planning and organisation done. They are your contacts for offering help, or any queries relevant to the exhibition. They can be contacted on mmee@nsme.co.uk

Peter Loveland poses proudly with his newly painted pannier tank - now in LT livery, on Tuesday 040919.

Trains and boats, but no planes, at the September public run on Sunday 010919

 Pictures from Mr. Leslie Spikings.

September PRD Album Here

August PRD Album Here

New Scamp gets an airing and Barbara gets steamy with Rod on BH Monday 260819.

 Pictures from Mr. David Jones

Workers very young, workers young and locomotives on Tuesday 270819.

 Pictures from Tony Kendall

A great time all round at Evie's party on Sunday 180819.

 Pictures from Tony Kendall

New junior member Joe tries out the Trojan and poses with "Flying Scotsman."

Pictures from Geoff Watts

New member Jake Beeken tries out his newly acquired 5in. gauge Ivatt 2 on Sunday morning 180819

Despite the forecast, the weather was much improved on recent wind and rain, for the party on Saturday 170819. Pictures from Tony Kendall

Sad to report the death of member Dennis Geddes. Dennis died in March of this year and we regret news has just reached us.

R.I.P.

David made joy with William Shakespeare, Peter ran his Pansy and Andy flew the Atlantic on Tuesday 130819

Pictures from Tony Kendall

Saturday 100819 brought winds and consequential fallen branches to 3 parts of our site. Pictures of the third one being cleared, and of Kelvin fettling the turntable.

Pictures from Tony Kendall

What looks like some really good workshop equipment for sale - advertised on the Peterborough SME site Here

There are some really good bogies for sale, advertised in the Members' Area Here

You may remember George and Doreen Coles buying the club loco sometimes called "Rusty." We saw "Nipper" earlier in the year, a product of the loins of "Rusty." However, another "Nipper" has arrived - tested out at the Rugby track recently.

Stand at MMEE2010

We are starting to get tooled-up for our tenth year at The Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition - Leslie Spikings is your organiser. Looking back to the 2010 Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition (our first at Leamington) - we expected a 20ft space, but we arrived to find only 16ft. We did not want to disappoint anyone who had made the effort to bring their model along - therefore the stand was just a little overcrowded. Although we did not get an award for our stand, two of our members did get rewarded for their models....

An album from Tony Kendall Here

July Club Run, held on Saturday 130719 - pictures from Leslie Spikings Here

July Public Run, held on Sunday 070719 - pictures from Leslie Spikings Here

On Tuesday 020719, Norman L's new wagons were on show, Dave had another go, Graham was fettling his trailer, and Geoff's mill engine got to run.

Sad to report that NSME member Malcolm Collins died on Monday July 1.

We will miss him.

R.I.P.

Our Condolences to the family.

Malcolm's funeral was at Rainsbrook Crematorium on Wednesday July 17.

 Ray leaves in style....  

David Jones sends pictures of the party on Tuesday 250619

A tree-fall discovered on Friday 210619 meant swift action to clear it before the party on Saturday - Peter Loveland/Geoff Watts on Friday and Peter Loveland, the Jones twins, Pater Bayley and Kelvin Naylor (maybe others) on Saturday to clear up aloft.
Pictures from David Jones and Geoff Watts

Our stand at Preston Hedge's School Fete, Saturday 220619 - Geoff takes on water.
Pictures from Tony Kendall

Noah wants a ride, then riding quickly gets popular....

Sad to report that NSME member Ray Sweeting has died.

A picture of Ray receiving the Bassett-Lowke Bowl at the 2014 Bits and Pieces Night and at the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition.

R.I.P.

Ray's funeral at the Crownhill Crematorium. 16.15 on Friday June 28.

The customer-facing Graham Jones in action at Kettering during the weekend 08/090619

NSME member Paul married Marie on Saturday 080619

We wish them every happiness together

Picture from David Jones

Exhibition details Here and Here

We have a new friend on site at Delapre - we hope Freddo, or Freda, will be made welcome. Picture from Mr. D. Jones.

Look out for a muntjac - mother (or perhaps daddy) and fawn seen recently but they were far too nimble for us to get a photo!

Happiness, and some concern, at the Club Run on Monday 270519

Album Here

At the club run day on Monday 270519, the chairman presented Richard Folwell with the newly-engraved base of the Bassett-Lowke Bowl and the miniature trophy for Richard to keep, marking Richard's success at the Bits & Pieces Night. Richard was noncommittal as to which trophy he will be filling with champagne for us all to sip from.

A reminder from Christopher Orchard - those with a Rob Roy loco may be interested in Andover society's Rob Roy and sausage sizzle event on June 9, 2019. Website Here

Some members were at Rugby on Saturday 250519. George, assisted by Spencer in the first picture and Peter, Dennis and Brian in the second, while George and Spencer (topically?) go to the country. Pictures from Doreen Coles

All part of The History of Mr. Polly as Alfred gets reunited with the raised track on Saturday 180519
Pictures from David Jones
 

Bernard Clark gets down to it at the  party on Tuesday 140519

Picture from Tony Kendall

Picture from Geoffrey Watts

Some members attended Statfold Barn on Sunday 120519. Fred not as interested as he might be - but has he seen it all before? Pictures from Geoffrey Watts

David Fieldhouse sends more news of his antipodean friends Here.

Chilly with just a little sunshine for the May public run.
Pictures from Leslie Spikings. Album Here

Another way to build a tunnel Here

A relaxing Tuesday evening meeting...
Picture from Tony Kendall

Kelvin demonstrates how to operate the new NSME raised track point Here

Pictures from Mr. David Jones

The NSME Class 37 locomotive gets nameplates....