St.Albans and District Model Engineering Society

July 2024 Club Night

Pitch with logos 01

St.Albans 2   England 1

 

Well, that represents the head count at our club evening, a third of our members were seduced to watch the match plus a couple of members on holiday.

However, I had a good evening, more later.

Our Chairman gave us an update on the Puffing Field progress which is slow not to say running at a snail's pace.  After answering some queries we had an informal evening and our Chairman went around the various exhibits with a microphone and a small gathering to look at and talk about the several work in progress items.

For me I went to look at Frank's drone, "Would I like to have a flying lesson"?  We went outside and the controls were explained and the features demonstrated.  Frank set up for "learner mode" and I took over the controls.  The stability and simple to use controls were a revelation, and when suggested, I looked at the screen to set up a photograph.  With everyone else smiling, and me looking down at the screen!  Under instruction I centred the drone over the table and descended for a safe landing.  My first Selfie!

I enjoyed that very much and a small queue developed with Frank kindly giving instruction.  Inside I caught up with Jack and his beautifully made wood clock / air pressure ornament and a more practical grater and a shallow bowl.  Beautifully made and hypnotically smooth to touch and feel.

Mike Joseph had a nicely made 5-inch gauge riding trolley with twin disc brakes, pristine at the moment.  Across the room Malcolm was demonstrating a burner for a new boiler, the burner burned very evenly along its length, excellent work.

Our Chairman showed some splashers for his loco and described how they were made, not an easy task, involving 12BA screws to hold the parts together prior to soldering.

My ferry was on display and I described what it all was about and taking her apart to show the electrics.  I had set the date of travel as being the August Bank Holiday of 1937 with appropriate left hand drive vehicles on board.  All 19 passengers were accounted for except for Maurice and his assistant who were propping up the bar!

Next along were some G1 rolling stock brought in by Roger and a 3 1/2 inch gauge Titch rolling chassis, available for sale, but I am hoping not until it has been displayed on the club stand at our exhibition.

I never quite caught up with some steam plants and the business ends of a large steam loco.  Sorry if I have missed you out!  But the photos show everything.  There were several conversations around and a generally enjoyable atmosphere.  Tea / coffee and biscuits were provided by Jack and Neil, after that it became one of our shorter evenings and thanks to the knock down team we left about 9:30.

Got home to find England had got into the final with a 90th. minute goal, so good luck to them but they failed to wipe out our club evening!

All the best

Roy