Another
task performed prior to last November’s re-wheeling was load deflection
testing
of the leaf springs. This was a task undertaken by Brian Thomson,
Graham Howard
and Billy Willison.
First,
the
springs were loaded up on a the fork lift arm as
shown opposite, and carried to the testing rig with extreme ends placed
carefully on upturned angle iron piecesv
(Photo: David Bird)
Spring
sitting, upside down,
within the test rig, resting on the upturned angle iron pieces.
(Photo: David Bird)
Here, Brian is measuring the
deflection after the pressure was
applied by a hydraulic ram. The pressure in pounds per square inch was
converted to tons. To pass inspection the springs had to show a
deflection
within a limit for given tonnage of load.
All springs
passed well within the limit.
The springs were then soaked in oil so that it permeated between the individual leaves. They were subsequently stored until they were attached to the axleboxes on the axles just prior to the frames being lowered.
Perth Model Railway Exhibition
Our
sales stall at the end of June at Perth Model Railway Show in the Dewar
Centre
was again successful; money was raised and several people took note of
our
website address. Again it was a good
show, with several excellent lay-outs on display. As before, the car
parking
was free to the public and the reasonably priced catering was tasty.
Given the
heat, cold drinks were the order of the day. One excitement on the
Saturday was a thunder
storm near the end of the day which knocked out all the power.
Fortunately our
hall also had natural lighting so we weren't plunged into total
darkness. After
a short period all power was restored.
Our stall in the Dewar Centre, Perth. On one side was a lay-out, on the other Tower Model Collection. So, we saw a lot of footfall.
In April
of this year Perth & District MRC formally merged with the
Scottish
Model Engineering Trust and will be moving into premises on their site.
Instead of a get together meal in a local Perth hotel; this year we
were
offered a BBQ, with bus transport, at their new home on the Saturday
night.
New Clothing
In addition to
branded clothing exclusively for shareholders we now have baseball caps
in four
colours with a different logo – available to all, including the public.
This
logo is based on 80105's smokebox plate, a black rectangle, with
“80105” in
white. The four colours are; green, blue, red and light blue. Costing
£8.50
each, they will be available from the LOG(S) shop and at our stall at
swapmeets
and model railway shows.
Once again, Jim had more luck at their tombola than me, and various toiletries etc. will re-appear on our next tombola. Talking of tombolas; our Easter tombola at Bo’ness brought in a tidy, if not spectacular sum. The bottle of whisky (ticket No 1000) finally being won on Easter Monday by a very surprised but pleased lady with about the 12th ticket sold that day.
The weather over the whole Easter weekend was way better than last year’s hailstones; I even had my jacket off at one point. However, passenger numbers were down; we reckon people went to the seaside. That was the situation with all visitor attractions in the surrounding area.