Past
"News and Recent Events"
OCTOBER 2019
Midland Model Engineering Model Exhibition
The Society once again presented a stand at the show, presenting the work of some of our members. Our thanks go to Bernard Marsh for organising the stand and all members who lent models to go on the stand.
PS: The stand attracted a lot more interest than the photos show. It took patience to be able to see the stand to photograph it!
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The models displayed on the stand were:
D.Allsopp: 3 inch Foster Traction Engine,
B.Berry: 5" B.R. standard mogul and tender,
D.Brown: 31/2 inch gauge Rob Roy,
P.Clarke: 1/4 scale Bentley radial rotary engine & 5"scale Southern Railway "U" class mogul,
J.Haddon: Horizontal mill engine,
B.Hatchings: 11/2 inch gauge Burrel-Boydal endless railway Traction Engine,
G.Lees: 71/4 gauge petrol hydraulic loco,
B. Marsh: N.R.Gent Dividing Head & Sectioned 2 inch scale steel boiler,
A. Marshall: Display of Injector jigs.
D. Oakland: 16mm Trackside Building.
J.Ollerenshaw: 5" Plank Wagon,
T.Riley: 3 inch Wallis & Steven Traction Engine
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Club Night
The Society’s formal meeting for October was held at Alfie’s Bar,
formerly the Canal Turn, on Monday 11th October from 7-30pm.
Some 35 members gathered in the Lounge Bar to hear an
illustrated talk by Stephen Flinders about the Ilkeston Tramway
which ran a passenger service from Cotmanhay, via the town
centre to Hallam Fields starting in 1903 till 1931.
The talk was given in a clear and entertaining manner and was
enjoyed by all present. Members had an opportunity to purchase
a booklet about the Ilkeston Tramway at the end of the talk.
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SEPTEMBER 2019
The usual club night scheduled for 9th September had to be cancelled due to the delay in the refurbishment of our venue; Alfie's Bar, formally known as the Canal Turn.
The planned talk about the Bennerley Viaduct has been re-scheduled for January.
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AUGUST 2019
Bank Holiday Running Day 26th August
It was a hot and sunny day when 11 members accompanied by 4 family members enjoyed the day at the Track Site running 9 locos on all 3 tracks.
Pictures of some of the locos that ran:
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CLUB NIGHT
This month’s Club Night at the Track Site was held on 12th August.
Some 25 members signed in and there were 2 locos running on the ground level track, a 7¼” Hunslet and a
7¼” IC engine 0-4-0 shunter. A 3½” gauge 0-4-0 Tank engine was on view in the raised track steaming bay.
VISITORS DAY
On Sunday 4th August 27 members played host to members of the Peterborough, North West Leicestershire, Derby and Melton Mowbray Model Engineering Societies. In total there were 16 visitors with 8 locos running on the raised and ground level tracks plus several locos running on the Garden Railway. Refreshments included bacon cobs and cake.
A member of the Melton Society made a video of the day which may be found by clicking here.
Some of our visitors Locos:
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JULY 2019
Saturday 20th July: 13 members signed in to run and support the operation of 2 locos on the ground level track, and 1 loco on the raised track, giving rides to children that were guests of the society to celebrate a birthday. After an early heavy shower the weather was kind and the children really enjoyed their rides, some staying on for 3 or 4 consecutive rides.
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The August issue of Engineering In Miniature Magazine published on 18th July mentioned the Club’s stand in their review of the National Model Engineering and Modelling Exhibition on page 39.
“A compact presentation by the Erewash Valley Society showed off some interesting and detailed models which demonstrated the wide range of interests within the club.”
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The annual club barbecue was held at the track site on Saturday 13th July. The weather was good and was enjoyed by all present. The 28 members and 20 family and friends were joined by 5 members and 2 family members from the Sutton Coldfield Club. 5 locos ran through the afternoon.
The food was available from a local caterer and was enjoyed by all and the Raffle was its usual success.
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8th July: The monthly Club Night was held at the Track Site. 21 members signed in and a 3½” gauge Fowler 4F and a 7¼” gauge Loco were running.
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JUNE 2019
26th June: 83 Brownies from local troupes were the society’s guests. There was a lot of excited energy as the young girls waited for their ride. There were 15 members present to support and operate the running of the locos giving rides.
The monthly Club Night 10th June was held at the Track Site.
The weather was wet and no locos ran on the track. A member ran his Crampton on a rolling road in the raised track steaming bay.
We are sad to report the death of Alan Brittan on 8th June after a sudden and short illness. He will be remembered for his good humour and his smile at the Track Site.
2nd June. 5 members accompanied by 2 wives took up the invitation to visit the Sutton Coldfield Society with 5 locos. Despite a shower or two of rain this did not dampen our spirits. A big thank you to our hosts.
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MAY 2019
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Bank Holiday Running Day 27th May.
The weather was not good and just 6 members signed in. A battery loco ran on the raised track and loco ran on the ground level track briefly.
18th May Visit by 7 members of the East Midlands Group of the 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers society. The garden railway was well used by 5 locos
The monthly Club Night 13th June was held at the Track Site.
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Bank Holiday Running Day 6th May: 13 members signed in and several locos ran.
John Hellen passed away early this month. He was a long standing member, served on the committee and generously supported the society. He was regularly to be seen at the track site until prevented by his health.
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APRIL 2019
Monday 8th April: Monthly Meeting at The Wilmot Arms, Borrowash
The meeting was given an illustrated talk by Bill Hall from the Nottingham Society who gave a talk about his interests in steam.
The audience of approximately 30 members present thoroughly enjoyed the meeting.
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Jim Matthews
It is with great sadness that we have to report that, long time member and Secretary to the Society, passed away on Tuesday 26th March.
Our thoughts are with Jim's family at this sad time. His funeral took place on 17th April at the Main Chapel, Markeaton Crematorium.
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Monday 22nd April: Running Day and Visit by National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club
Some photos of our visitors:
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Site Improvements
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Members of the "Wednesday Working Party" relaid an area of concrete that is a part of the Level Crossing bu the Club House, damaged during the creation of a hard standing area within the track circles. This required the tracks to be closed from the 23rd April till 3rd of May.
