Official publication of the Central Coast Steam Model Co Operative Limited
May 04
Edited by Kelly Maybury
In this issue
All Aboard
Birthday Run
I Came, I Saw, I Concreted
New Locomotive arrives at Narara Junction
Gosford Hobbies Exhibition
Derailments
Contributors
Happenings around the Formwork
News in Brief
The Funny Side
Next Issue
All Aboard
Welcome to the May issue of the Short North. Some of you may have noticed that yours truly has not been at the club grounds for 2 months. This was due to an ongoing medical condition, which requires me to attend Hydrotherapy twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1.30pm. For those of you who are not aware of the use of hydro it is to suspend the person in a heated pool to remove gravity from the affected area to allow exercise on the affected region. One of the greatest benefits of this is to float in a vertical position. Naturally, this requires that the pool is deeper than the occupant in question. However, in my case, the pool is 1.8m deep and I am 1.96m high. Bugger!
Whilst on this subject may I thank all of those who rang to find out where I was and to enquire about my general well-being. Model Engineering truly is a hobby of great friends.
No running day reports will be in this issue but they will appear in the next issue. Allan Fogarty has provided some articles, along with Bruce Langdon, Edith Bearman and Rob Lougher. A true club newsletter.
Birthday Run
The C.C.S.M. Co-Op Ltd Members and the Board invite members of your club to help us celebrate our Birthday on Saturday 7th August. There will be a BBQ on the evening. We would like to have numbers by the 28th July of anyone wishing to stay for the BBQ. Saturday will be our normal run day, if any visitors wish to run for the public they are welcome to. Please remember to bring your boiler certificates. Please ring Arthur Minter (02) 4344 2791 if you intend staying for the BBQ.
Edith Bearman.
(Note well. Yours truly will be running into the night and Sunday so you are most welcome to join me either for the night run or Sunday. If you wish to stay shower facilities are available.)
I Came, I Saw, I Concreted. A report by Allan Fogarty
Concrete Deliveries
Concrete again had been very limited as it had been since Christmas, except for Tuesday 2nd March when Ian arrived just before lunch with 1.3 cubic metres which went into the top driveway with two barrows kept for the last picnic table top, where Mick (Farrell) installed the draught board tiles. Then about 4pm Kevin arrived with a 4 cubic metre load of computer error mix, 2.5m3 was placed in the drive and the1.5m3 left went in to the wall on Showground Road. A quick phone call brought Ken (Howells) to help with the screeding. Wed 10th and Thurs 11th saw the last two drops in the driveway with an extra 0.6 over for the moulds and Showground Road. Two more drops occurred on Wed 17th totalling 1.2m3 and Steve arrived on Thursday 19th with 0.5m3 for the wall on Showground Road.
Concrete Total since June 2003 98.2m3 96 Drops
Top Driveway and Disabled Parking
Concrete to this area is now complete with the last drop occurring on the 11th march, so when the last three pours are cured it can be used, about mid April.
| Concrete Statistics: | Footings at church end | 4.0 m3 | 6 drops |
| Surface | 28.4 m3 | 26 drops | |
| Total | 32.4 m3 | 32 drops |
A retaining wall has also been constructed along the Showground Road site of the Disabled parking area; backfilling will be carried out as time permits. A locked post and chain had been installed to keep the walking path safe from the driveway.
5” Curved bridge on party Loop
Bridge safety rails and planking had been completed along with the concrete footings and painting. The extra concrete to complete the approaches arrived on Wed 17th, no choice with the colour!
5” Arch Bridge
A new arch bridge outline had been installed and painted on the 5” party loop. Question. There is one Arch left, any suggestions as the where it could be placed. ( Can’t possibly say in this type of forum Allan….ed)
Trees and Shrubs
The Gosford City Council has again been persuaded to supply us with more trees and shrubs, which have been planted adjacent to the walkway and beside the carriage.
Showground Road Retaining Wall
A small amount of concrete is needed to tidy up the wall top. The general area is being tidied up and the planks for the seats are being organised.
Conclusion
This brings my contribution to some of the major improvements to a conclusion, leaving only a few loose ends to be tidied up. Over the past 10 months I have spent approximately 1600 hours at the grounds and laid almost 100 cubic metres of concrete, in very conservative terms this could be valued at $34,000. To finish off, I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to those members who have helped me with these projects.
Allan Fogarty
New Locomotive arrives at Narara Junction
I have broken open the piggy bank and bought a 5” gauge (yes Mick I did say a 5” gauge) loco, 3 passenger carriages, workshop trolley/stand and a 10’ by 5’ tandem axle electric braked trailer. It should be here on the next running day and I can’t wait to go to Wollongong for the Hot Pot run. Oh yes it a 2-6-2 (Prairie), Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes (S.R. & R.L.) No. 24. Built by Paul Brent from Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Co Operative Society Limited (Edgeworth). It was fitted with a Steel Briggs Boiler and was sold onto our fellow club member George Selby. George contracted Dave Evans to build a new copper boiler which has subsequently been fitted. The loco then sat around for a number of years and was purchased by yours truly on Friday 21st May. Mick Farrell arranged for a BBQ for fellow friends of Georges to attend Narara during its test drive and hand over ceremony “Here’s ya loco mate!”. And with a very light fire, half a glass of full cream dairy milk it ran effortlessly all afternoon with a maximum of 25psi in the steam chests.
My I thank all of those who turned up and celebrated with me a day that I shall long remember. Mick Farrell, George Selby, Tom Walker, John Jarvis, Leon Brack, Allan Fogarty and especially my parents, Mr and Mrs Maybury.
Report on 2004 Gosford Hobbies Exhibition
Over the weekend of the 17th and 18th of April the Gosford Hobbies Model Expo was held in the hall at Gosford High School and our club took part by staging a static display. We were able to use a half circle of the old portable track that had laid unused for years in the back shed to marshal a full 5” gauge NSWGR Goods Train thanks to Graham and Michael Crowhurst, Rob Lougher and Keith Lewis.
The train was headed by Keith’s 32 class. Also on display were Peter Holt’s Victorian “C” Class, Norm Browne’s Simplex, Ken Howells 7 ¼” 70 class frames. Michael Crowhurst clinker built Radio Controled boat, a photographic display of new member John Mills industrial model and a centre piece is that’s the right terminology made up of contrasting loco tenders that are under construction those being Arthur Minter’s 38 Class Tender and Noel Richard’s Stanier designed tender and Ivan Burns was able to provide a box of electronic tricks that operated signals and a set of crossing lights and bells.
Out stand was made a little more animated on the Saturday when my mate and Western Districts Live Steam Society Member, Mark Carney turned up with none other than two radio controlled army tanks. To give you a brief description these tanks come with sound effects, lighting and recoil effects when the cannons are fired and they are just small enough to fit in a 5” gauge “S” truck the only thing the don’t do is fire a projectile thankfully #!?*.
These tanks caused a bit of a stir when Mark and I drove them into the hall on Saturday morning and when we sat them on the display table during the day we were able to use the guns to take aim and fire at the passers by this attracted a lot of attention form the public at which time we pounced to handout some of our pamphlets which were provided thanks to Noel Richards. I must admit I did have a lot of fun with them too pretending to aim and fire at Noel who was assisting on another stand I don’t think he’s had that many parts in his hair for years.
We were able to set the whole display up on the Friday night and dismantle it again on Sunday night and thanks to the hard work and co-operation of those members with models to display we had the whole thing set up and pulled apart in around an hour with some of the best shunting of trailers, Utes and Cars than I’ve seen in a long time to achieve this. I would like to thank the following members for there assistance in setting up, dismantling and manning the display over the weekend. If I’ve left anyone out sorry.
Ivan Burns, Peter Holt, Arthur Minter, Keith Lewis, Ken Howells, John Mills, Kelly Maybury, Graham Crowhurst, Michael Crowhurst, Norm Browne, Noel Richards and daughter Jackie, Mark Carney, my wife Louise and daughter Rebekah. For those that are interested it looks like the exhibition will be on next year at possibly a bigger venue and we have indicated that we may be interested in participating again. If we do I would like to try and make our display more animated as the animated displays were attracting the people so put your thinking caps on and let me know of any ideas you may have.
Thanks
Rob Lougher
Derailments
It appears that last months issue must have been taking a leaf out of the Millennium trains workshop manual, judging by the number of mistakes.
The Birthday run will not be held in September as I thought that it would be. Edith Bearman has informed yours truly and those members present at the March meeting that the Birthday run will be held on the weekend of 7-8 of August.
Contributors
Allan Fogarty, Rob Lougher, Edith Bearman, Bruce Langdon and Trevor Crowhurst
Happenings around the Formwork from the meeting reports of Concrete Al
It is believed to have all started with a bank up of trains at Narara Junction at a running day back about this time last year. Suggestions were made that by extending the 7 ¼” gauge station platform a better flow of trains through the station could be achieved. So it all started with earth being dug out, form work placed and Pioneer Concrete being requested for any left overs to help out.
Now ten months later with pioneer having delivered one hundred cubic metres of concrete by arriving at the grounds ninety seven times ( up to the end of March 04). The first job was the strip of concrete running from the station to the steaming bay which forms the extension part of the 7 ¼” station, with this completed there was a need to have a fence to keep the passengers out of the steaming bay, of course the steaming bay had never been finished since the mid eighties, so more digging, drainage and concrete, then it was discovered there was rust in the ramp from the ground level track up to the steaming bay, so more digging, formwork and of course more concrete. Problems with wet weather and the soggy ground around the loading bays necessitated more drainage installations, concrete slabs and pathways.
While all this was going on, murmurings were being heard about the driveway, with no volunteers jumping in, Concrete Al offered to build the main driveway, just about this time the metal shed beside the carriage was offered as accommodation so the Al would not loose any time having to go home at night. His wife offered him a pillow to keep him company. With some enthusiastic helpers the driveway was cleared and levelled to take sixty-five tonnes of fill and then prepared for the concrete foundations and topping, more formwork. Then there was the need to extend the retaining wall, this was a problem because some of the pieces were no longer available, not to be out done, some members made various wooden moulds, more concrete.
The driveway was started on the 11-9-03 and almost twenty-seven cubic metres of concrete later was finished on 6-11-03. Then of course there was the top driveway and disabled parking area, reports came to hand that a quote of many thousands of dollars had been obtained for a black top surface, not to be outdone again Concrete Al said it could be done for nothing. (Cost of raw materials) Levelling, fill, formwork were completed then the first concrete pour was done on he 19-11-03, I might add that all the time this was happening other projects such as railing fences, drainage, concrete components for picnic tables ( see March 04 issue of the Short North...ed), retaining walls, tree and shrub planting and other concrete slabs were being done.
Also at the same time the walkway and wheel chair access from the new entry off Showground Road was built along with railing fences and a new four-wire fence along Showground Road was built along with railing access gates. The Top drive and Disabled parking areas received the last pour on the 11-3-04 after taking over thirty two cubic metres of the best Pioneer concrete. With the addition of the remaining wall this area is a pleasure to use and gives a great outlook from Showground Road with all the trees and shrubs.
During any spare moments and surplus concrete the wall along the road opposite the party area was completed, it is believed, like the Great Wall of China can bee seen form outer space. It has been reported that of late Concrete Al had taken his pillow and returned to a more peaceful and relaxed life at home.
Allan Fogarty
News is brief
Allan Fogarty, John Crowhurst and yours truly spent the morning of the 27th March cleaning up the site for the April run day. Rob Lougher turned up about 2pm to grab a couple of lengths of portable track for the Model Show at Gosford High School in April. See report this issue. Rob grabbed the Fergie (No.. not the Duchess!) and did some slashing. I left about 4pm and haven’t seen Rob since.
Ken Howells and Bruce Langdon have been busy in making up some ground throw point levers from flame cut plate over the past few weeks. Ken also informs me that he has been progressing on his third carriage for his 7 ¼” 59. It will be a combined passenger and guards van. Can’t wait to see it Ken.
The Party Loop fence in progressing with thanks to those who have been helping. This work is being carried out under the guidance of John Crowhurst. Many thanks to Peter Le-May for the pipe used in the fence. Allan Fogarty has commenced ground work for the new storage spaces for 5” and 7 ¼” passenger carriages. Yours truly moved the eyesore of rails in the middle of the top loop and these have now been placed down the back out of the sight of the public. Thanks to Allan Fogarty and friends for assistance with this little job. Something of interest we found a length of rail dating from 1884. Now it needs a coat of rust remover and we can preserve it.
Have you been building something at home, having trouble finding plans for a certain loco, carriage? Then why not drop us a line and you never know somebody, somehow, somewhere, doing something, may just have that thingymajig or the whatsyoumacallit your looking for.
Contact Details for your club and yours truly. The Secretary, Central Coast Steam Model Co-Operative Limited. P.O. Box 692 Gosford, NSW 2250. Ph Arthur Minter, Secretary on (02) 4344 2791. Yours truly can be contacted at PO Box 209 Kurri Kurri NSW 2327 or Ph: (02) 4937 4740. Our Web Address is www.narara.cjb.net. The web page is provided and maintained by Tom Fink. Yours truly has no association with its contents other than what is provided in these newsletters.
Shirts for your back
Noel Richards is again seeking names and numbers for the “uniform” eg shirts, jacket and hats embroidered with our logo. A sheet will be available at the next run day for names and numbers. Any problems please see or ring Noel Richards
The funny Side
Here is a set of rules from the male perspective as submitted by Bruce Langdon.
Tally ho and all that Stuff
I am sure you boys will find this highly amusing, girls - oh how true this is..
We always here ‘the rule’ from the female side. Now here are the Rules form the male side. These are our rules:-
THEY ARE ALL THE ONE GOLDEN RULE
Breasts are for looking at and that is why we do it. Don’t try to change that.
Learn to work the toilet seat. You’re a big girl. If it’s up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don’t hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
Saturday = sports. It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.
Crying is blackmail
Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one. Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
Yes and No a perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
A headache that last for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor
If you think you’re fat, you probably are. Don’t ask us.
ALL men see on only 16 colours, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example is a fruit, not a colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what Mauve is.
More of these next issue
In the next issue
Are you a big sucker? A question of vacuum
Shocking! Why go electric drive.
What does that do mista? Valves and valve gears
Up, Up and Away. The need for a unloader/traverser. Before Christmas!
As Always, May your pressure be high, your glass half-full, and your fire bright. Alternatively, for the electrics may your extension cord be just that little bit longer.
? ?
Leon Bracks Clyshay with Load Mick Farrell waiting for the sun!
? ?
Angle parking The Good The Bad and…… The Al
? ?
Allan Fogarty’s 5” XPT Front John Gordon’s 5” 42105 Rear
All images by Trevor Crowhurst
Official Publication of the Central Coast Steam Model Co-Operative Ltd Page #
The Short North March 2004