Club Annual Auction, Advance for Warning 10th October

It's come around again and some purists might say it's earlier than usual, Ok what's a week or two unless it's in politics!

A reminder. There's plenty of time to sort out broken,damaged your unwanted surplus items from the workshop or other items that you no longer need. If rumours of the impending budget cuts are true then that will include spare cash so just bring that along anytime and give to the treasurer and he will find a use for it.

You can designate them to be sold with with all proceeds donated to the club or the for the Treasurer to retain 10% for services rendered. Bring your items down preferably on the two Wednesdays before the great day as the auction has to be set up on the 9th. Storage can be problematic and with the final public running due on the 13th, critical.

Some items are not really welcome, large vices, anvils, wheel barrows and garden rollers spring to mind. If in doubt remember you might well have to carry them home again immediately after the auction if they don't sell.

50th anniversary clelbrations

Live Train Movements

If you attended Nigel Bucks  talk on Railway Signalling on the 8th of February and noticed the live train data that he was using and would like to explore by yourself then below are the links to the three he uses. Click on any of them, there are differencies its up to you which you prefer.

I remember standing on Worthing Central waiting for a steam special and a helpful porter (probably has a fancy job title nowadays) gave me the traksy url and I was able to see it delayed at Preston Park. so for me that would be my choice

https://traksy.uk/live

https://www.opentraintimes.com/

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/

We Have a dedicated forum!

Ive moved this to near the top of the members  page as Phil, who set this up and acts as moderator tells me that usage has dropped off. Perhaps those who contribure to whats app could also add to the wdsme forum too.

No jokes about funny things happening on the way please. For those unfamiliar with one it's an upmarket message board very similar to the what's on offer through Model Engineer (other magazines available) where suscribers offer advice, progress, ask questions, trade insults show photos. You can search for subjects, members or themes so long as they are there in the first place. You don't have to be an active forum contributor, but if you prefer to just look or follow posts, you will still have to join up.  It's secure and moderated so anything untoward will be removed and if it's too offensive  the perpertrator can be suspended or even get the order of the boot.

How do you get there? You can just click the link below or better still remember it, write it down or carve it on your dining room table. You do need to have an active email address then think up a user name (mine is NeilF) than a password following the necessary rules for security then wait for a welcoming email and away you go. Any questions please ask me, preferably within the clubhouse and not at 2 in the morning.

Https://worthingdistrictmodelengineers.co.uk/forum

Public running 2024

This will start on Sunday April 14th with the new times of 13.:30 through to 16:30. Since Covid there has been a change of when our customers arrive  and particularly leave. In general trade fades away by 16:15 so the decision has been made to still be running for 3 hours but times advanced by half and hour.

We currently have a good supply of qualified drivers so if you are willing and ready to drive make you presence known to the TC on the day and he will endeavour to get you a drive. The plan is to have 3 x 1 hour sessions during the afternoon for each club Loco. Privately owned locos will be at the owners discretion though.

When your drive is over please remain to help with other matters associated with public running, the scheduled driver is expected to prepare the loco, help with that is part of driving duties the putting it away and cleaning afterwards are one of those other matters just mentioned.

Remember if your name is down on the roster as driver, TC or assistant TC then the slot is yours and if you have to, or need to change, its up to you to arrange a subsitute. Failure could result in ridicule and public shaming on a Thursday evening

We always need helpers for safety duty and other public running tasks. If you are able to offer help on the day you'll be more than welcome. all you have to do is turn up there's always something you can do, assist with, or just be there even if only for a hour or two.

Boiler certification

 Changes have been made to the boiler records by Phil Downs. There has been an overhaul of the records with one or two discrepancies corrected. this shouldn't  have any general effect on members. However, what will have an effect are the records of hydraulic and steam certificates. The new system will generate email reminders to owners of locomotives whose expiry of steam and hydraulic certificates will expire during the forthcoming month. It will be then up to respective owners to arrange any testing with the boiler testers by placing their locos on the schedule on the white board in the clubhouse.

Please liase with the boiler testers as the do not need be suddenly greeted with an impossible list of tests required on a Wednesday morning, it's not just the tests its the paperwork too.

Code of Practice for Public Running Version 5

The code of practice for public running has been reviewed and where appropriate, revised. This will come into effect from when Public Running resumes, hopefully in June this year (2021)

If you are to be involved in public running either as track controller, as other operational members, or the drivers of either steam or electric locomotives then you must be familiar with its scope and coverage.

There is a downloadable version on the private members page in the documents section. Members as mentioned above, who are track controllers or are licenced drivers will have already received their personal copies. Newly qualified members yet to obtain a copy can print their own or alternatively see Dereck Langridge  / Geoff Bashall for your personal copy

Club Members meet regularly in our own clubhouse situated at Field Place, Durrington, near Worthing.

Scheduled meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 7.30pm with either a guest speaker or "in-house" programmes.

Here members have access to notices, documentation and a discussion forum. This area is password protected.