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2009 in Pictures

JANUARY

	Traditionally the winter months have seen a lighter work load. With this in mind I decided to accept the invitation to tender for the supply of a lever frame to a company in York. They were to build a training model for The Tube. As part of the consultation I was taken to Whitechapel signal box to see a working Westinghouse power frame in action.
	With rotorary tappets at the front it seemed that our lever frame was a little less equipted
	Not only does the orginal have interlocking on the front, running across the top of the rear are electrical interlocks. These link to vertical bars which have numerous switching facilities. All very complicated.
FEBRUARY
	Another project taken on for the quiter months were some indian coaches. Requiring curved roofs, I subcontracted the bodies out to a fabrication company. Very pleased with the result.
	While ordering the coach bodies I added a custom industrial nody for a Hercules. This was done in 1.5mm steel which for a while made a useful hop up to reach the top shelves in the workshop.
	So much for global warming. February bought some of the deepest snow we have seen for years. Mind you it wasn't around for long just like the chimney on the house. You may notice it dissappears in later pictures.
	Mid week snow which wasn't around long enough to build a snow plough. The top station and tunnel area with both tracks completely covered.
MARCH
	After a month of design and consultation I ordered up the steel for the lever frame. This pallet contained all the laser cut steel for the frame and it's intelocking.
	.While the interlocking couldn't perform all the functions required, it does provide an excellent demonstation tool for training. I couldn't find a way of designing it without just running through the sequences and working out what need to be locked with what lever. The idea of taking on this job was work for the quite time of the year/ Depite the "worst ever recession" the work never stoppped coming in"
APRIL
	Finally after over a month of work the lever frame was completed - all be it that I had to send away two of the plates as I had missed a couple of numbers off
	I can't tell you how much it weighs, but the only way to move it was on a pallet and use the stacker truck. This picture was taken just before the client picked it up to take up north for wiring. Eventually this frame contained 16 solenoids, 48 micro switches and 48 releys.

MAY
	Merstham 09 Our 4th year. It rained on both the Saturday and Sunday which was a great shame. Still there were breaks in the weather and this year the organisers organised take away food for the Saturday night. Fantastic Pizza after a hard day. Must say on food and service this show is really good as they bring meals out to the stands allowing you to get on with business.
	Merstham - seems to be a tradition of playing with the tram. Clark and Jasper keep asking for one but I think it wouldn't work as well in 5" gauge.
JUNE
	Ror Day at Canvey - worth a mention that our furthest away guests came from Germany. They picked up their new custom Hercules at the same time which saved me the hassle of posting it.
	A little hiccup with the colour light signals. I went to order another 50 green lenses and I was told no one imports the colour lenses in to the country anymore. After numerous emails and call he was right. Thinking cap on and we are now the exclusive manufacture and supplier of these lenses. - problem solved.
JULY
	The first week of July saw some lovely temperatures. After a week a bought a huge industrial fan - the weather changed and the workshop never got as hot again this year.
	Thanks to Chingford Club who invited RoR to their club day. Took the opportunity to take along our Captain Howey. The motors in this loco were produced by Fracmo of Bangor, N Wales. The were samples which having produced dsecided wasn't a viable product. Shame as I think these motors drew less power and performed better.
	With Clark now at full time school, he invited his class to come and play trains. Rain stopped play to start with but we soon had loaded trains running.
	10 Years of Middleton Garden Railway To mark the laying of the golden spike on 6th July 1999 we had a party on the line. There was even a cake and candles for the railway although the wind blew the candles out. Thanks to all those who made it an excellent day and put up with my barbeque food.


AUGUST
	The lever frame in its final location (OK pushed back against the wall). A trip up to London to carry out a few tweaks and adjustments. They also decided to add a few more interlocks which I measured up for while on site. I will publish pictures of the training facilities once I have permission from the owners.
SEPTEMBER
	For our September open day I managed to get the Hunslet to the railway. Always though this loco was a bit big for the line, but it behaved with out fault.
	Just for a change I accepted an invite to a private open day at Britvic, Beckton. Had a great day and managed to raise a bit of money which Britvic will apparently match. Money went to Great Ormand Street Hospital.
OCTOBER
	End of season. With quieter running time I bought our Hercules number 4 in for a service. Six years on and Delring to steel gears show little sign of wear. This loco must have done hundreds of miles.
	Something different. A dabble in to 7 1/4" gauge using 5" gauge parts. In hindsight a bit ill conceived. Still you live and learn.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER
	Just as things were going quiet we took orders for two quarry Hunslets. One for West country and one for Yorkshire. With the supply of 12v Fasco motors gone these two were built using 24v versions with a higher gear ratio.

Paul