Technical Corner

Driver training

This year’s training schedule will included:

	Learning to prepare a steam locomotive for use on the track
	Track safety and signals
	Cleaning and placing ‘on-shed’ a locomotive after use
	Driving and control of a ‘diesel’
	Driving “Winnie”
	Correct use of signals and official duties of station control and guard
	Driving with passengers

Over the Summer season we have had a regular group of 6 enthusiastic, volunteer drivers attending either the Friday evening or the Sunday morning sessions.

The Driver training scheme is available for any CDSME member and is intended to prepare drivers for running trains safely on public running days. Included in the training is a log-book to be maintained by each trainee signifying hours spent driving on any track with any locomotive – as only by a combination of training and experience can competencies be attained.

Any Society member wishing to learn to drive safely should make themselves known to a Committee member for inclusion on next year’s register.

Driver training – new drivers learning the techniques of controlling a train of passengers.

Boiler Testing

This document is the latest in the saga of boiler “regulations” for model engineers. The documents as with others we have received from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is in the form of guidelines for interpreting the “Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000” (PSSR).

HSE Guidelines 2004

The committee is currently comparing the guidelines with the existing Southern Federation scheme of examination that we have followed for many years. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. If you want to know any details about how to get your boiler tested then please contact the Web Master or one of the Club Boiler Inspectors.

VACUUM BRAKING

An improved braking system for the ground level 10 ¼ “ passenger trucks has been succesfully installed and the same is in the proccess of construction for the 7¼ stock

This will allow full braking to be used with any locomotive whether fitted with a vacuum generator or not.

The design is similar to that used by the Frimley Lodge Society, and recently adapted and published in the Model Engineer by the Guildford MES.

(Note: initial article in volume 188 issue number 4167, 19 April – 2 May 2002)

Assistance to machine the parts for each bogie would be appreciated – so any Society member with a few minutes to spare would be most welcome. Further project details available in the Clubhouse.

Health & Safety

An enjoyable afternoon out has been the aim of our running sessions, which have also provided much needed finance to maintain the Society equipment and facilities.

Everyone in the Society fully appreciates the efforts of out team of volunteers who regularly attend the Sunday running and the portable track days.

Occasionally, over the years small incidents have occurred, and we have always maintained safety high on our list of priorities. With the Health & Safety Executive taking a keen interest in miniature railways over the last few years it is more important than ever that we maintain our proactive approach to minimising risks.

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Last updated: Friday, 14 April 2006