As
usual I will start with an apology for the longest period between
newsletters. With so much going on this year it has been hard to find
time to sit down and write about what is going on within Ride on
Railways. I know when I mention Facebook and twitter people immediately switch off,
but it does let me load up pictures quickly and easily. I can even
upload pictures direct from my mobile phone. So if you follow the link
from our home page (or above) you will see some of what we're up to and some of the news I should have posted months ago.
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Trade shows and events.
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2013
Saw us attend a few big trade shows. While these can be expensive they
are an opportunity to get out and meet people and for some it is the
first time they have seen some of our products in the flesh. I was
doubtful if it was worth getting trapped in "the circuit" but I think
it has paid off. The big three - London, Harrogate and Bristol
represent an outlay of over £2000 without adding travel and accommodation expenses or taking into
account lost time from production.
So please excuse me if I was a little short with the gentleman who was
rude to me about not attending the 4 day Midlands show. If the said
gentleman would like to pay my diesel, accommodation and
expenses then I would be happy to attend. looked a great show but just
1 too many in the year for us.
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| LONDON |
HARROGATE |
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| BRISTOL |
PETERBOROUGH |
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We also attended the 16mm Association National Garden Railway Show at
Peterborough. From our perspective it is an easy 1 day show. You
drive right into the hall with your trailer, unload where you're going
to set up - saves all that moving around of stock between car and stand.
At London, Harrogate, Bristol and Peterborough shows we shared a stand with Station Road Steam.
We try to take different stock to each show, so if there is something
you would like to see contact us and we will try to bring it along.
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Pinewood Railway - RoR/Station Road Steam Day
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This Industrial Hercules has been detailed brilliantly
We've finally got the
brass controller on the tram!
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Tony's orange hercules keeps getting in the pictures
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Our 7 1/4 tram looks small next to Station Road Steam Staffords - the Hercules looks dwalfed! |
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Mike from Station Road Steam waiting for a green light.
We had a really good day at Pinewood Railway in May. There was a
good mix of visiting Ride on Railways and Station Road Steam locos.
Many, many thanks to the Pinewood Club for making us all feel so welcome and expecially Colin Gross who organised everything.
The dual gauge track is very picturesque through
the pine trees. It is a nice long run, with the signal box
getting as many trains moving as possible.
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Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway - Toys and Trains Weekend
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This
was a new event for the RH&DR, bringing together visiting miniature
railways, traction engines and model railways with some associated
trade stalls. As the Merstham Show was not running this year we decided
to try something different and take the family for the weekend.
Our stand was set up in one of the sheds with Chingford Club and a
couple of other traders. After an interesting day on Saturday,
talking to people and riding the trains, the family bedded down on the
floor for the night. It was quite warm in the shed as it's the
old paint shop and quite well insulated. It was added security
for the stock - but the kids thought it was the best time
ever!
Personally I could have done without the RH&DR diesel security
train "parking" outside the shed at 1am and leaving it's engine running
- that thing is loud!
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| The boys didn't want to get up ......... although they did eventually,
who can resist breakfast outside watching the trains being shunted
around |
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| The boys found a steam engine chassis under the
blankets |
Faith wanted her photo taken in the tram |
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Chingford Club brought their 7 1/4" gauge "Captain Howey" to run on a
mobile track and visit it's big namesake - unfortunately the original
was in pieces having a major overhall so Chingford's loco was the only
Captain Howey running that weekend! |
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| Day at the Little Hay Railway at Sutton Coldfield |
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Clark, Faith, Drena and Jasper at the station being pulled by
Clark's Jasper
loco
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Keith and
his grandaughter pulling into the station - Mike taking photos |
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Waiting for a green signal in the
tram
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Have train will travel! |
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Drena enjoying the day - that e-book is glued to
her hand you know.
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Clark had a go with the Hercules on the raised track - although he did go a bit fast (leaning
round the corner) and we had to remind him that it wasn't the Nurenburg
ring!
Many thanks to the Sutton Coldfield Model Engineering Club
who hosted around 30 visitors who bought 8 locos with them - a mixture
of steam and battery electrics. The burgers and hot drinks from the
kitchen were much appreciated. The weather kept changing between
sun and showers, hot and cold.
Things got very interesting in the station area at times regulating the
flow of trains to keep everyone moving. A great atmosphere prevailed during the
day as drivers swapped locos and took turns driving trains belonging to others.
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Lady Amwell at East Herts Miniature Railway
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Having
seen Captain Howey running at their track I was approached last year
about
building a custom locomotive for the society. They liked the Chingford
loco but wanted something more unique. It was decided to loosely base
their loco on Lady of the Lake which runs on the Ruislip Lido
Railway. The project was started late
last year. It was finished and after a few teething problems with
a locked bearing, it was put into service this year at theEast Herts
Club - by the New Year it had done over 75 hours traction time.
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Started the year on chassis stand being
painted and sanded and painted and sanded
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Drena doing more painting inside
 
Continuing with the dashboard and
wiring
The stripes are on, but we're missing the front cab
 
Barry helping the finished loco get into the trailer to it's new
home
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The loco being tested on site by some of East Herts Club - don't they
look happy about it! |
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In service pulling 20+ people round the
track
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Pulling in the dark with all the
lights on |
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Trip to The Netherlands to collect a 7 1/4" gauge Tram
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We're up really early for a ride on Le Shuttle over to
France - got a long journey
ahead
Exploring Utrecht in The Netherlands - thankfully nobody
got run over by a bike
 
Have to visit the National Railway Museum in
Utrecht
Jasper and Faith try to explain to Drena how to drive a steam engine
 
Rob wrap up the 7 1/4" gauge tram for transport
Thankfully it fits on the trailer and it gets back safely to the UK
 
The springs on the tram need some work - it's like sitting in a
boat!
Clark poses with our Glasgow tram at the Chingford Club track - Luke's
helping.
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Changes in stock for 2014
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Changes to Braked Riding Trucks
Ratchet brake added to 5" raised and ground level trucks.
This brake can be locked on when parked in the station or to stop it rolling in the back of your car.
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Changes to the 2014 Hercules
- Controller plug repositioned so you can plug in/out without removing the body.
- Lights
that change colour when loco is put in reverse added.
Lights are not attached to the body, so you can remove the body without
worrying about the wires.
- Optional hi-lo horns and/or diesel sound generator added
- Optional rear doors to access battery isolator switch and speed governor
- Optional glazing to cab
- Customisation of body and chassis paintwork available
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