Volunteer Coronavirus Working arrangements_1_issued 17 05 20

               
                  Volunteer Coronavirus Working arrangements_No.1_issued 17 05 20


This document is issued by Peter Robinson on behalf of the Trustees setting out the first guidance to volunteers who feel able to restart operations at the museum.

Fundraising by Essex Lottery and direct on-line donations.

THE ESSEX LOTTERY fundraising for good causes.

The East Anglian Railway Museum has joined the Essex Lottery's list of good causes and we are appealing to you to buy as many tickets as you feel able to and support our much valued museum and restoration work.  You could win cash prizes up to £25,000 in the weekly draw so please go to: www.essexlottery.co.uk and search 'Railway Museum' to buy your tickets.  Good Luck!

 

Coronavirus or not, and can continue with this forever if we choose to. Take up was swift at launch, but the fundraising should continue.  Friends and supporters, encouraging them to buy as many lottery tickets as they feel able to and support the museum.

                                     Another method of support is Direct on-line donations

If you prefer not to gamble then in parallel a direct fund raising method to the museum is also available. Cash donations   are eligible for Gift Aid and a 25% boost from government. These are available online in various donation amounts £1 / £10 /£20 / and £50 units are promoted on the earm.co.uk web site. These payment transactions are then processed by through museum’s Merlin till system

If you can share this on social media channels that wopuld help get more support - this will only work if museum members get on board and mobilise themselves into action. Please spread the word.

Jubilee’s Cambridgeshire hide-away, and its Vintage coach partner

Jubilee’s Cambridgeshire hide-away, and its Vintage coach partner

 

Jubilee was one of the four locomotives in steam forming part of the Steam Gala line up,  it may be our smallest is but arguably our longest serving locomotive. Its movement was watched for the first time at Chappel, by its former owner Gerald Flueuss. Contact was made by Jack Cavie, who was researching photographs of the locomotive in service. Found by the powers of the ‘net, Gerald’s contact details were found so an invitation was made and accepted. Accompanied by his friend Tony Keeble travelled from East Sussex, to our Steam Gala day on March 15^th.

“Jubilee” was ordered by Edward Lloyd's in 1936, delivered and named in 1937 which was the silver jubilee (25th Anniversary) year of King George V. it was employed on a short length of standard gauge sidings between the Southern Railway branch to Sheerness and the Kemsley Paper works in Kent which at this time was the major newsprint paper manufacturer in the country. This loco’s duties included shunting paper bales and newsprint rolls, the product of the paper works. As originally built it also had sliding glass doors on the cab and smoke stack spark arresting equipment – a precaution required working with so much paper nearby, these have now been removed. It served all its working life at that singular location until the end of steam traction in 1970. It was said that the former driver was almost in tears, and said the boiler was “tight as a drum “– look after it -   as it was sold into preservation. Bought for £400 by Gerald, it was taken to the self-styled “South Cambridgeshire Steam Centre” at New Buildings Farm, Great Chishill.

At that location Agricultural contractor, and steam traction engine enthusiast Robert Drage, tried to set up a public steam museum. Being in a rural location, planning rules and opposition led to the abandonment of that plan.  As a result Gerald decided to sell up in 1976; it was a result of the intervention of Reg Robinson that this locomotive came to Chappel in October 1976, together with the components of No.11 in its unassembled state.

 

 

Gerald then developed his other interests, notabally  more closely associated with design and calligraphy – with specialist knowledge of the Edward Johnston – or London Transport’s typescript. His steam passion was directed to painting , as a talented artist, depicting steam in its last grimy, but atmospheric years of British steam, much as David Shepherd did.

Jubilee is drawn here in oils with the sliding doors on the side which was its original feature Ridham Dock

A train consist at New buildings Farm showing Jubilee hauling vintage 6 wheeler MS&L Coach 946 of 1888.

Jubilee had subsequent modifications in preservation included adding vacuum train brakes to make it safely compatible with passenger trains. For many years was the most regular use locomotive here at Chappel. It has now spent 44 years in preservation, so has spent more time in preservation than in industry.

Jubilee at the moment has the longest boiler certificate to towards the end of this year, therefore likely to be used in the smaller events after the colour of the van this outbreak is lifted

Also visiting that day was Tony Keeble who is a vintage carriage restorer and now a Trustee working for the Great Central Rolling stock Trust. Tony was born into a family of railway people over three generations and employed lastly at Cambridge on railway commercial works. He purchased a Great Central six wheeler coach. (MS&L 946 of 1888). .  This has local connections – Taken to Takeley for a while it also on it’s transport  away from Manningtree  (Former Camping Coach CC15 where it was purchased for £50) – got stuck in Halstead, which over the years has happened to many stock transfers! This coach has subsequently been restored over a 15 year period at the Ruddington base of the GCR(North) group.

I recommend a read of the group’s web site – and an account about vintage carriage restoration that has relevance to us at EARM too

https://gcr-rollingstocktrust.co.uk/

https://gcr-rollingstocktrust.co.uk.gridhosted.co.uk/our-projects/vehicles/m-s-l-no-946/

There is a download link to a pdf detailing the 15 year restoration scheme ( ) and I have to be a bit jealous – a photo of a Simplex locomotive propelling this vintage coach.  

 

 

 

Tony Keeble (L) and Gerald Fleuss (R) pictured in the General Waiting room, both enjoyed a ride in our Vintage stock, for coaches Number 553 & 19 where in service on the day, so we now know a little more of our own history

 

 

 

 

 

Wickham Bishops, it’s a magical model layout

Wickham Bishops, it’s a magical model layout.

Model of  a Waggon and Maschinenbau diesel railbus E99963 working on the Witham to Maldon branch line

Located on the former Witham to Maldon branch line, Wickham Bishops was one of two intermediate stations  located in the River Blackwater valley, one of the stations serving a village that was rather distant - about a mile and a half mile away up a steep hill. Always likely to be a lonely spot as a result, a single platform served passengers in the locality for 116 years. Unusually the platform was accessed after first crossing a railway track, this being a siding serving the station and nearby water mill. 

Its significance for the museum is high, as the Waggon and Maschinenbau diesel railbus worked rail services from 1958 to its closure in 1964.

Trumping that - there is also national significance in as the adjacent wooden trestle bridge is the sole survivor in this country of that type of structure.  While Wickham Bishops is small in stature, monster bridges were instrumental in the development of railways, especially transcontinental railways in North America. It was the engineer’s “daring do attitude" that got early railway built, using available materials to build relatively quickly and cheaply, as did the original  Maldon, Witham and Braintree railway. 

Len Wilkinson a local resident, railway author, and talented model maker, constructed his model which is 18 feet long and was housed in his garage at home in the village. It has been since donated by his family to the museum.

Len Wilkinson demonstrating his layout at home 

Pictured here we see Len viewing the layout; the trestle was faithfully recorded by Len who was a Draughtsman and Senior Designer at Marconi who obviously had an eye for detail. The structure is modelled in EM gauge the real thing was originally 130 yards long, but an embankment was placed in the middle section as an aid to reducing vibrations. Only light locomotives like F5 and J15 steam engines and Class 15 diesels where allowed on the branch as a result. Today 21 spans are still extant, a photo shows the span easily reached by from a footpath,  it is also a reminder of hot summers for in 2015 water had retreated to just a muddy pool in places

A scheduled Ancient Monument, the Wickham Bishops trestle seen in 2015 with a very dry river bed

Len's attention to detail included taking measurements himself of the trestle and all structures modelled, made to EM 1:76 scale. His published book "The Witham to Maldon Railway" A pictorial history shows his scaled drawings of the Trestle bridge 

Because of their diminutive properties, railbuses seemed to match a small country branch line, stories about being push started by passengers and staff on occasion, unscheduled stops to drop off passengers, being decorated for a honeymooning couple complete with trailing tin cans, all have a “Titfield Thunderbolt” comedic quality to them. Recreation of such things are in theory still possible, but most likely precluded for 21^st century regulations put a stop to such antics. (As a playful speculation - maybe if required by a non-passenger carrying, filming opportunity)?

David Reeve is pictured here enjoying a viewing, and hearing a story about the line

In its time the branch conveyed Jams, tinned fruit and vegetables from Goldhanger Fruit farms, Agricultural machinery from Bentalls at Heybridge, Sugar Beet, Wheat , Potatoes and Brewers grains, all of which is now completely absent from the modern railway. It’s a reflection of country railway that we are trying to show at Chappel; to speculate perhaps some more agricultural props could illustrate this link?

Len’s model is marvellous, which is a link to his other interest as “Marco the Mystic”, an amateur magician. I muse if he was trying to cast a spell and re-create the scene of yesterday; in a way the museum can help him continue in that quest. An illustration has been sourced from our archives, in a British Railways staff magazine also show the station and “bus”.

The museum is grateful for the donation of this layout, it shows the skill and dedication to the study of the trestle and railway line by construction of this model . It is to be hoped it conveys the tranquil and special atmosphere of this location. 

Chappel News 78_November 2019

The  CHAPPEL  ESCAPE  ROOM

Walking through the Booking Office  lobby I met Steve Blake the quizmaster of the escape room. On your behalf I thought to ask him what inspired him to create the escape room and dream up the story lines. Currently the code breaker experience is set in the Cold War of the 1950s, a secret radio transmitter has been intercepted and it’s feared a Soviet Spy cell is passing on secret information. What is required of the players is to decrypt their transmissions, by viewing clues in a dossier that had  been compiled for secret agents. Codebreakers have to solve the puzzle to leave the locked room.

Stephen the Quizmaster gets his inspiration from reading historical fiction, and spy stories, Authors or note include Bernard Cornwell, John Le Carre, Bernard Cornwell, Graham Greene and Sherlock Holmes.

Participants have one hour to solve the mysteries of the dossier, and so the mission is to retrieve a key, Stephen is seen here holding a metal box that holds the escape key.

Our station buildings have a 1950’s and 1960’s ambience, this is a good setting re-producing an atmosphere of those times. There have been a number of bookings from businesses including our friends at Network Rail. Sessions can act as are good icebreakers, an entertainment during corporate events or as a thank you gesture.

Bookings have come from family groups with age ranges from 10 up until the 70s, so that’s good for three generations.

Steve’s web site is noted here:   https://puzzle-room.co.uk/ this was the first escape room, it was launched in spring 2015. EARM is one of a number of hosts that have tailor-made stories for each location. EARM’s events are displayed from this web reference http://www.earm.co.uk/escape-room/

THREE PILLARS OF THE MUSEUM

The three pillars of the museum are VISITORS, VOLUNTEERS and IMPROVEMENTS.

VISITORS

This year 2019 appears to have been one of the more successful years for events, and so your attention is drawn to the wide range of people we wish to entertain, enthuse, and educate.

EARM is now known for more DoWT and two Beer Festivals. The portfolio of museum events now include Drivers for A Tenner (D4AT) Kids run the railway (KRTR) together with regular Driver (DRIVEX) and Railway Experience (RAILEX)days, School visits.

A greater emphasis is now given to special gala workings, an example being this autumn’s successful first diesel gala organised by Isaac Ferneyhough,  the Operating team featuring every item of diesel powered mechanical traction. Being a new tester event it was proven to be very successful – the operating plan timetabled 70 different movements featuring 7 items of locomotion. To list them they were DMU, Locomotives AMW144, D2279, Toby, plus the Railcrane, Permaquip elevating platform and finally still on loan, the War Department diesel.

Events generally are being well supported; a regular series of “Summer Steam Sundays” the Model Railway club reported over 440 visitors to their Gala day. Smaller events included the Halloween and Cafe specials the museum also hosted a youth organisation “sleep over” weekend.

So it is proven the museum is attracting a wide range of people of all ages. Visits are promoted by e marketing methods led by Catherine Harrision, with our Visitor Reception staff pitching in with regular social media posts when the VRC duties permit.

Our visitor attractions seem to be most comprehensive meeting most age ranges, and so is our member volunteer input with a good impetus from our younger volunteers.

Pictured is a selection of people visiting this year, also featuring our resident pet? the village peacock.

    

VOLUNTEERS

New volunteer promotion notices have been produced and are now ready for distribution, some have displayed in an EARM Projects board in the yard. A number of smaller tasks are being identified both for event days and general site improvement.

In his new role of EARM Volunteer/Drivex/Railex Coordinator, Martin Gibbons has been active easing new volunteer’s entry into the museum’s activities. A digest of the next 3 months diary of events for which volunteers are requested is being circulated.

What can you expect from volunteering? In return for your time on an event day - on greeting duty for example -  is meeting happy expectant people. It helps settling families and groups where to go, what to see and generally being welcoming. Directing car parking, ticket checking, site stewarding and wagon riding are some less onerous jobs that can only take a few hours.

For exercise and companionship the engineering and infrastructure departments will provide interest and variety in a number of tasks, which are part of a team effort. Often the improbable is possible at Chappel with group effort.

A “What’s App” group has been set up, which is a closed group meaning posts don’t get broadcasted out of the group to all your contacts. It’s an informal chat based way to be informed of what’s going on site, but these posts are time limited after 30 days they are deleted, if you haven’t already done that.

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group:  search “EARM Volunteers” or copy into a browser

https://chat.whatsapp.com/EckCyFusHk9HBLtrXStg74

   

Short notice planning of our volunteer work force is being aided by second What’s App group, this time a more technical discussion around “Infrastructure”. Recent works on track and ongoing Signalling installation work has been organised. Using mobiles pictures can paint a thousand words, they also show the before and after works.

TEAM WORK

A good example of volunteer work is now illustrated, a track fault on a set of points and the lack of lever operated points in the south yard, called for team work. It could only be attempted in a quiet break in the operating schedule – luckily to date the weather hasn’t been too bad, but in true railway tradition it would need to be executed whatever is thrown at us!

Estates were able to bring a mechanical digger to site to excavate, Permanent Way prepared a detailed method statement had been prepared to ensure correct welding procedures took place . A Railcrane was required for transporting rail and S&T (Signals and Telegraphs) to have the necessary point rodding, compensators and signal wiring to be on hand for later installation.

Here are a few snapshots of this work, more of which feature on social media

Railways involve heavy engineering, and the recent repair of a point switch blade is illustrated in a series of photos. Credit is due to all how contributed to the process, it was a tricky exercise needing a welded part of the rail is to be maintained above 343degC and held there for 20 minutes After welding the rail was dressed with a grinderette the straight edge back to a smooth running The finished switch rail repair work is seen to the left.

              

In all of this, you should not fail to appreciate the logistics of taking a heavy rail out, transporting it to and from a welding location in the Restoration shed, using the diesel rail crane and manual effort.

The point can now be added to following works to connect to South Box and provide  working signalling from South Box. This work continues this month.            

                                   

         

IMPROVEMENTS :  A WORKSHOP ROUND UP

Walking around the shed here is the latest update

In Shed Road 1 resides the 1873 third brake compartment coach, where structural woodworking work has been completed by staff Constructor Kevin Watson. There is just an internal bench seat to fabricate for the use of Carers - who may accompany a disabled person travelling in the brake compartment. Interiors are painted in primer; work has progressed to part of the exterior which will be another application of red “Colchester Crimson “paint. To make this an operational museum vehicle, there is  vexed question of connecting the chassis to the body followed by new suspension springing. This is where this job gets expensive.

On the middle road we now have a beautifully painted diesel railbus in the correct British Rail loco green livery. Rob Valenta the staff museum painter reports various stages with rubbing down and primer and undercoat, he reckons about seven coats so far. I think he really finishes it off well with the front whiskers and the BR “lion and wheel” and numbering transfers.

Interior works principally done by Peter Martin and Brian Sermons have focussed on the south-end compartment of the Railbus, where newly refurbished seats have been fitted. Partly the result of an open fundraising appeal, which is still open to fund the second half. 56 seats is the target.

Hi-Bar (Soda Ash) Wagon - James Jaeger has removed a rotten steel base plate floor, and now is rust cleaning the chassis before red-oxide paint is applied. It is the intention then to build a wooden floor. After which it can act a mobile wood store for the locomotive department in the running shed.

Shed Road 2 also sees progress on locomotive Lamport No.3 a rolling chassis been taken out of the yard, to shake down recently fitted motion and axle boxes. (See SVS167 photo) Recent activity includes work on the outer firebox, a new backhead has been welded in, fire hole ring complete, and new outer wrapper side sheets are currently being drilled.

This team led by Allan Robinson, is progressing well, soon thoughts progress towards fabrication on contract of a new inner copper box which is where the real money is required. It must be said that works to date while challenging, has saved a great deal compared with going out to contract for works that can be done by volunteers.

Shed Road 3 recently completed on running repairs to Jubilee, an unexpected repair was a leaking tank, which could have done without. This has been dealt with by Michael Saunders and his loco crew. Rob Valletta has repainted again in an even more brilliant green paint as befits “Percy” (Jubilee) as a character engine.

                            

Photo Peter Martin

SMALL WORKS to do, in hand, and completed

Count down markers to be fabricated for the North Headshunt.

Gradient posts to be re-painted.

An offer of a driver with a towbar fitted vehicle is requested - for a half days transport – contact Tim Rice.

A number of flower pots are going spare – offers of planting around site and Chappel Café areas please.

Bungay coach – Any offers of old bookcases, shelving units would be appreciated.

Railway Street shops are tired and need some attention to represent or add new “exhibits”. This may suit a member looking a museum display opportunity.  

A general sweep and tidy has taken effect in the Restoration shed.

Access is now available to the Museum Project Boards in the former miniature railway 1 station area.

Redundant fencing removed to present a less rundown appearance in the lower yard.

Attention is being drawn to Waste separation and reduction, signs explain what’s required on site.

TECHNOLOGY AT WORK

A museum is presents old artefacts, but the organisation and its people have to be up to date on internet and mobile technology.

The museum’s current armoury of communication channels which is summarised below - ranked from instantaneous to reactive historical reporting.

Regular reporting
EARM public web site	PUBLIC	Fast Comms
WhatsApp groups  – Infrastructure and Volunteers	Membership	Fast Comms
Team Wednesday e mailings	E mail	Regular reports
Event and Marketing led reporting
Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/earailwaymuseum	Social Media	Instant publishing
Twitter; https://twitter.com/earailwaymuseum	Social Media	Instant publishing
Instagram; https://instagram.com/earailwaymuseum	Social Media	Instant publishing
Internally generated reports – e mails to members	E mail	Occasional reports
Chappel news – e mails to members / Philip Ainsley	E mail	Occasional reports
Operating news -  e mail from Traffic Manager/Isaac Ferneyhough	E mail	Occasional reports
Marketing news – e mail from Marketing Manager/ Catherine Harrison	E mail	Occasional reports
Stour Valley Steam  produced by David Reeve and Darren Johnston	Magazine	Six monthly publishing
Facebook Private group posts
1 Chappel photos                                              2 Chappel MPD Unofficial	Facebook	Ad hoc personal Posts
3 Chappel Miniature railway                           4 EARM S&T Unofficial	Facebook	Ad hoc personal Posts
5 Chappel Beer Festival     6 B&HMRC  (Model railway club) 7 Chappel Station Café	Facebook	Ad hoc personal Posts
Flickr photo archive
Flickr EARM	Flickr	Photo record

By subscribing to these new media feeds – it can shows activity at the museum almost in real time. It’s probably true to say that not everyone will actively follow all, but if you haven’t tried – then it is recommended you, or someone in your family, can help you to access this content.

Visitor Reception Centre activity

Neil Temlett updates us how technology is driving more museum business. Supplying a mix of serious and light hearted posts, together with Stuart and Stacey, they promote the museum, and monitoring media postings answering queries and generating links to current local news and events.

Social media is featuring strongly in promoting the museum there are Instagram and Twitter accounts, and nearly 5K followers on Facebook. Commercial leads rely on replying to internet requests and queries.

Internet sales account for 80% of 'Thomas bookings' , with the remainder 'on-the-door'. A very small proportion, just 0.5% is bought over the phone or in-person prior to an event.

This trend is being expanding for many of our products, it is planned to invest more in the online processes to make transactions smoother.  Stall bookings for events, car bookings for the Transport Extravaganza are now mainly handled this way through the website.

Regarding telephones and the spoken word, now Brian Mc Gennity continues the story with a report on some new technology recently brought into service.

TELECOMS DEPARTMENT NEWS

On Thursday 17^th October 2019 at 10.48 a telephone call was made to the Museum it rang and was quickly answered by Stacey in her usual professional manner.  This short call lasted about 24 seconds then both parties hung up.  Normally a call like this would simply be one of the many received by the Visitor Reception team over any given day. But, this one was different. 

This was the call that launched the Museum well into the telecoms of the 21^st century; the first call over our new digital telephone lines. Known as “VoIP”  - voice over internet protocol, a voice is chopped into computer bits, packaged up then delivered over the internet to their destination, here they are repackaged together again precisely as they began their journey.  The upshot of this is that we can now enjoy crystal clear incoming and outgoing telephone calls.

Initially four channels are sent to the museum, additionally, we may increase circuit-by-circuit, when we need to. Three old analogue lines have each been costing the Museum £27-50 a month each, in contrast  four new digital circuits will cost us £2-50 per month each a very welcome reduction of costs. Work is to continue to transfer (or porting) a number of Earls Colne lines this should not be disruptive in any way. In future extra channels can be added that have a dedicated use at a low cost.

COMMUNICATION USING THE WRITTEN WORD

Written media, such as newspapers and magazines are gradually declining in volume, albeit there is a body of opinion that they cannot be replaced for quality and expansive content.

There Are many reasons for this, possibility it is a less immersive experience – younger people like it or not, tend to consume electronic media which is short and sharp. To continue our heritage attraction and meet both styles, both these choices need to be accommodated.

Your last magazine Stour Valley Steam (No. 167 Autumn 2019), an article on page 49 questioned if a printed magazine is the best way to proceed in future?

It should be noted that for over fifty years SVS and its predecessors have been the reference publication recording the Museum’s development, and offered additional general railway content. Members are invited to respond; perhaps you can pen a few words during the dark winter days about the magazine in future?

Chappel News delivered by e-mail, and also suffers in some way from a lack of immediacy too. There is a delay between event and retrospective report, another lag exists between a call for action and a response. Both print and e-mail tend to have a delayed feedback path, so while content is transmitted, it is not known if it is received.

Printed page could be replaced by an easily accessible web-based blog (think of it as regular small instalments delivered in electronic format), but may need to have some form of sign on if sensitive content were included. It would be hoped that museum members might accept a change if offered. Such formats can at least try and solicit return responses and have a way to measure hit-rates.

Elders working with technology

If all this modern technology is concerning you – then fear not as the following example is a product of two people’s interaction with tech with a combined age of over 165 years.

We are indebted to John Smith making careful notes and drawing of control switches that are required for the W&M Diesel Railbus. Small parts were traditionally difficult to cast and machine, but now modern alternatives exist.

Having taken precise dimensions and drawings, some replacement switches could be 3D printed in a plastic material. After a web search a local gentleman of an advanced age, but still being practical using the latest techniques. He was able to manufacture these items, so there’s no further need to try and make do with using wedged in screwdrivers, or other nefarious methods, to drive the vehicle.  That’s known as        “Diesel Wagon wurde in Deutschland gebaut, und in Chappel repariert”

Or to you and me “ This railbus was built in Germany and repaired in Chappel”.

Commercial Hire Opportunities

A second National Skills Solutions training course began in September; this is a valuable income during our dark period. It is also a welcome expression of our charity’s purpose of education, where people learn to gain a NVQ in Railway site work and safety procedures.  There have been some recent commercial hires of the cafe / conference room for meetings, there is an increasing number of enquiries handled by Neil Temlett.

AND FINALLY

Why not look retrospectively at our museum’s beginning – recently deposited at the VRC bundle of magazines, books and framed pictures. Much of this is material for Bungay coach second hand sales on platform 2, but the gems were….as you can see a number of press clippings including these

               

Newspaper report June 1971 of a very early public steam day Gunby & Pooley van (the first was 13 03 71)

Old newspaper cuttings are of value as our history is placed in a historical context, on the reverse side of the paper some advertisements included these rather dated items from the 1970’s    
              

“ 19” Colour TV Rental for 12months for only £68.60”

“Self-drive hire £18 per week Ford Cortina, £24 per week for Ford Zephyr”

In the “General Vacancies section”, of which were a number of easily applied for jobs, people could specified by age and gender

“Female School leaver required – to train as a dental nurse”

“Man required” for general machining and fitting – Shipyard Estate Brightlingsea

“Mates, aged 17-18 years, required for pipe fitters”

Times have changed !

                 

Hope you enjoyed this digest of happening of late...

If you prefer to STOP further mailings of Chappel News you simply need to e-mail news@earm.co.uk with a UNSUBSCRIBE request or the same address for feedback.           
Philip Ainsley – Editor 22 11 19  Republished on Blogger 01 05 2020