Urmston & District MES May Bank Holiday Open Weekend - 30/04/2016

Today, George & Matt visited the Urmston & District MES May Bank Holiday Open Weekend. Raincoats at the ready we bravely left the car and headed for the entrance. When we first arrived, there were two fine examples of British Rail diesel locomotives. A Class 37 parked on the siding and a Class 47 running around the track. The next two on the track were Jason from Sale Area MES's LMS 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" and a magnificent model of a GWR King 6015 "King Richard III". With the rain on and off the site was quite quiet but non the less, the locos were still going strong. As the afternoon went on we saw an 0-4-0 Polly locomotive, a Simplex, 70038 "Robin Hood" and "The Beast" (Urmston's Beast, Arthur Eve - Not Our Class 33!) It was great to see all the models today glistening in the sun (when it did eventually decide to shine). A great day out had by both me and Matt and we look forward to visiting again in the future!

A big thanks to all the members of the Urmston & District MES for organising and hosting this hugely enjoyable event. I'm sure all the other visitors enjoyed it as much as we did! Thank-you!

Banner at Abbotsfield Park Station

Britannia Class 70038 "Robin Hood"

BR Class 37 D6847

Matthew Smith (WDSME) Driving Arthur Eve

Meeting Evening - 26/04/2016

Monday Nights are "Talking Night" at the WDSME where we talk about nearly everything and anything apart from railways!

But! Tonight was different! Eagle-Eyed Matthew Smith noticed an unusual movement on real time trains from Crewe H.S to Shrewsbury running as the 534J. After a quick Googling it was found to be a loaded test run for Southern Railway Re-Built Battle of Britain Class "Braunton". So at 09:29 1/2 prompt we left the club site for Wrexham General Station. As we arrived, we were welcomed by some late running tug thrash as the delayed 19:05 Carlisle to Chirk Kronospan log train passed at speed with Colas Rail Class 60 60096 leading the show. Shortly after, the trusty hippo Arriva Trains Wales Class 175 175110 arrived on the scene with the 22:14 service to Holyhead from Cardiff Central.

Action Stations! At 22:17 on the dot, the moment we were waiting for arrived! Braunton crept through platform 1 disguised as "Lord Dowding" for the summer rail tours season. As the loco moved closer to the signal, it was given the off and off with a cloud of smoke (well... Steam) it was off! And one for the Diesel Lovers out there. Braunton was tailed by a fine example of Canadian craftsmanship in the form of DB Schenker Class 66 66099.

Colas Rail 60096 on the Carlisle to Chirk Kronospan Log Train

Arriva Trains Wales 175110 with the 22:14 Cardiff Central to Holyhead Service

Southern Railways Battle of Britain "Braunton" on the Crewe H.S to Shrewsbury

Sunday Running - 24/04/2016

After our busy day yesterday, today couldn't have started any more differently. Chris Newton came on at 10:45am with his LNER O4 but unfortunately suffered unforeseen regulator issues and had to come off when Paul came on. Mr Malin proceeded with the ceremonies until the station started to fill up. From 2:30pm, you couldn't move for passengers! In this case, the trusty and ever-ready for anything Class 47 had to spring into action to help the not so ready GWR/NBR express. Trains then continued to run non-stop until the last passengers left through the gate at 4:10pm! A great day had by all who visited!

Two of Today's Runners

(Left: Paul Malin's GWR 4500 Prairie Tank, Right: WDSME BR Class 47)

Trains Running - Queen's Square Wrexham (23/04/2016)

Today we ran two locomotives on our portable track in Queen's Square, Wrexham Town Centre. Trains started running at 09:30am with the BR Class 33 electric locomotive which was suffering motor troubles! Nevertheless, the loco completed its hour long shift whilst we were waiting for Tim to steam up the Timplex (Tim's Simplex). Tim came on the track at about 10:30am and carried on taking passengers right through until the 4pm finish! Matt particularly enjoyed the two ice-creams from the ice-cream van.

Also, Don't forget! Trains will be running this Sunday as normal from 12pm until 4pm. So if you couldn't make it down to Queen's Square today, there's always tomorrow at our permanent site in Gresford.

A good day was had by all who visited. A Huge thanks to Tim for organising the whole event!

Hopefully you will see our portable track out-and-about over this summer at various events around the county!

Setting Up the Station

BR Class 33 Locomotive Ready for the Morning Passengers

Matthew Welcoming the Passengers As Well as Enjoying the Trains & Ice-Cream!

Even the Mascot from the British Heart Foundation Had to Have a Go!

Sunday Running - 17/04/2016

A bright, frosty morning with a sharp, northerly wind. Two of the usual locos were on duty. There was the majestic LMS pacific “City of Carlisle” in the care of Driver Wilson. As to be expected, this loco was in immaculate, highly polished condition, though a speck of dust was noticed on the boiler cladding. The second was the well-worn 4-4-0 from “o'er the border” with its less polished and more flaky paintwork, North British No. 495. A surprise arrival was the appearance of a completely new loco. This was Chris Newton's model of a Great Central 2-8-0 heavy freight engine. Some of the paintwork was so fresh that Chris had placed the loco next to his domestic log burner the night before to speed up the drying process. The model recreated perfectly the essence of a non-glamorous, unassuming workhorse of the B.R. Period. The driver appeared to be justifiably pleased with his new steed and can be very proud of his achievement. The only hiccup in its performance was as a result of a blocked spark arrestor, which impaired steaming until cleaned. A super loco indeed. One little reminder for Chris: it's an O4 not an A4 !! The Duchess performed faultlessly, as usual, which is more than can be said for the Glen, which seemed to be suffering from five blocked spark arrestors. Hopefully a good day was had by all.

Paul: "My Tender on the Atlantic Can Hold This Much Coal!"

Two of Today's Runners

Front: Chris Newton's LNER O4

Back: Dave Wilson's LMS Duchess "City of Carlisle"

Article by Paul Malin (NBR)

WDSME In Queen's Square, Wrexham

On the 23rd April 2016, Some Members of the WDSME Will be Running Our Portable Track in Queen's Square in Wrexham with the Potential to Run a Few More Venues over the Summer Months!

So Make Sure you are in Wrexham and Come and Visit us Between 09:30am & 4:00pm in Queen's Square.

Running Will Continue as Normal on the Sunday so if you can't make the Saturday, Make Sure you come and Visit us on the Sunday at our Gresford Site!

Don't forget to check out our Website at www.wrexhamdistrictsme.co.uk

Sunday Running - 10/04/2016

Today started well with the sun shining like last week. Today’s runners were Paul Malin and Dave Wilson who were ready early to await the public's arrival. Dave was first on track with his LMS Scot hauling a few full 5 coach trains! Paul Malin then came on to calm the crowds with his W1, whilst Dave had his lunch in the sun. It was busy in the morning and the afternoon followed a similar pattern with large numbers of passengers, although Paul found time for some sun bathing. Steam locos came off at around 4 pm and were substituted till 5 pm by the clubs Class 47 for the last few passengers of the day. All in all a good day was had by everyone who came down. We run every Sunday. Why not come down and have a look next Sunday?

    

Paul Malin Enjoying the Sun Between Trips!

         

Tim Hines Getting Ready for the Summer!

Article by Tim Hines

  

Sunday Running - 03/04/2016

The sun was out and shining like a good 'un this morning and the Class 47 was out on early duty from 10:45am. Before the passengers started to arrive we had a driver training session for Jen, our LMS representative's granddaughter. Not only can she sell raffle tickets but now she can drive the 47! (Sorry Jen! - Ed). Tim was out testing a fix he had made last night to one of the sprockets on the axle of his petrol electric locomotive which did the job perfectly! Steve was next on the track with his BR liveried simplex taking every lap in his stride! As the afternoon passed, Tim came back on with his GER simplex to continue taking passengers around the track! Adam finished the day off with a few laps of honour with the Class 47. All in all, A good day's running!

Jen Wilson Driver Training on the Class 47

Sale Area MES Diesel Day - 02/04/2016

On Saturday, George, Tim, Matt & Adam visited the S.A.M.E.S Diesel Day. Tim took his Petrol Electric shunting locomotive which unfortunately suffered gauging issues with the S.A.M.E.S track. But soon we were watching the Class 52 Petrol Mechanical "Western" locomotive and a Model of a Class 47 similar to our club locomotive take charge of the rails! As the day passed on we saw many spectacular models such as a radio controlled DRS 37 "Concrete Bob" and a model of 37401 "Mary Queen of Scots" run around the track at Walton Park. Just to finish the day off, A meal was all on order at the Mill House in Broughton!

I would just like to say a massive thank-you to all the people at the Sale Area MES who hosted the event and made it such an enjoyable day!

Here is a video showing our visit to the event - Enjoy!