It’s blooming freezing in here…

 

One of the pleasures of working at Chappel is the unexpected. Work started recently by Team Wednesday on what is believed to be Luggage Composite 247 of 1888. I am indebted Tony Foster who has found an iron bracket stamped GER, that we expected; and  secondly old painted coach number 63395 - that was unexpected -  but thought to be a door from another vehicle after checks were made to the Vintage Carriage Register.

Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey Project (rhrp.org.uk)

As work progressed a pile of old newspaper cuttings was found, very fragile but just legible, some fragments have been photographed. A Sunday Pictorial February 4^th 1947 shows an American  celebrity couple, in a fashionable pose for the time.

Also found was advertising for Butlins in summer 1947 – which as you will see was rather enticing at the time .

 Even more degraded was part of a Farmers Weekly of January 10^th  - it shows under the headline “Four Lincs Farmers Fined £1200”an inexpertly high file for farmers growing banned crops of Canary Seeds . Many serious offences occur today at a lesser fine, and in the same paper “Control of Bird Seed Crops” was reported. I suppose they preferred crop production for human consumption, I guess.

Finally, the subject of his article .  “ It’s blooming freezing in here…” Rolled up in 1947 and discovered in 2021 in a pile of yellowing  fragile newsprint, from the winter of 1947. Could it be that a farmer was travelling in the coach, found a draught and eliminated it with the newspapers? Can’t be sure about that – but it is one possibility.

Winter 1947 was cruel; the Rivers Chelmer and Cam froze in Chelmsford. Ice floes on the Crouch, snow drifts aplenty. What is known that in Writtle on  January 18^th it was  -5d egress F or – 20degrees C. During February for a fortnight, day and night temperatures never rose beyond freezing point.

The Daily Mirror of February 10^th showed a chilling scene on a canal at Walsall

So, these crumped papers could have been an early attempt at insulation, it reminds us how changeable the weather can be, apparently the following summer was a splendid one ! 

Welcome to Liz Larvor, new Trustee and Secretary

 

Welcome to Liz Larvor, new Trustee and Secretary

I’ve been a member at EARM since 2016 now, I’ve always had an interest in helping the organisation in any way that I can. From photography, to getting my hands filthy on the odd occasion in the resto shed. In more recent years I’ve assisted the board of trustees with administrative tasks and acting as N7 trustee liaison as part of the restoration project. Using my background in audit risk management I’ve challenged the way we do things and I’d like to think that I’ve bought about some changes

At the May trustees meeting I was co-opted in as trustee to take over from Mike Stanbury as Museum Secretary, along with taking on some of the marketing responsibilities from Mark Cornell. I look forward to seeing where the museum goes in the future.

As Liz takes on new responsibilities, the long service given by Mike Stanbury must be recorded. To record Board decisions at meetings is the prime responsibility of a secretary, these must now number in the hundreds over decades in the past. At times it may be pleasurable to record a year of good progress, but at other times more challenging replies have been composed for AGMs and other bodies needing annual reports. Less welcome would-be official notifications to the museum of a legal kind from authorities, as Secretary these have received and responded to. 

Mike looking back is particularly pleased to receive acknowledgement from the former Railway Inspectorate, on the quality of his response when an Exemption to railway safety case working was being progressed, these apply to smaller preserved railways.  Mike has served the museum admirably and his retirement from these responsibilities goes with thanks, as it truly well deserved, from the museum membership.

Restoration of the N7 locomotive continues.

 

Restoration of the N7 locomotive continues.

On Wednesday 30^th June, the boiler was transported away to Heritage Boiler Steam Services Ltd of Huyton Liverpool for ongoing examination and eventual overhaul. It is currently funded to continue exploratory works using Restricted funds provided for this purpose in a previously received large bequest.

In a contract between the company and museum, there is reportedly a (editors’ terminology) “stop and wait provision” should funds be near exhaustion then work can stop. This is important, in this way there is no full liability to complete work in one continuous operation, thus avoid incurring further expenditure not covered by fundraising.

In this way further fundraising can proceed better knowing of its condition, progress and therefore a refined estimate of costs. All boiler work comes with a degree of uncertainty, boilers vary in their condition and how they respond to “treatment”. Our Chappel N7 locomotive team have done the necessary preparation works, so the success of this project dwells principally on the contractor and fundraising to perform well. A new 52-page publication “69621 – Star of the Jazz”, is on sale from the VRC. It details the locomotive class history, details of restoration of the locomotive and its current condition as has been sent away for specialist boiler attention.

A number of other locomotive restoration projects are also being progressed by the company, a new website exists to show all current projects and the skills employed on their web site.

https://heritageboilersteamservices.co.uk/projects

A short video introduces you to the team at Heritage Boilers who will be working on the boiler.

H B Staff video

Liz Larvor, has set up a web promoted fundraising appeal that has now been launched on the museum’s. Like others before, the appeal for funds splits the task into smaller manageable pieces. In this way £100K can potentially be raised through smaller individual donations.

Currently advertised opportunities to sponsor a ‘Copper Stay’ for £35 (800 available), a ‘Crown Stay’ for £50 (100 available), a ‘Smoke Tube’ for £60 (134 available) and a ‘Flue Tube’ for £680 of which 18 are available, inclusive of a complimentary ‘Half Day Driver Experience’ course on the locomotive. Alternatively, a “General N7 Donation” option is given, of any amount can be made.

Monies can be collected in a number of ways, directly from the museum’s website   posting a cheque to the museum or by arrangement a bank transfer.

N7 Restoration Appeal

This appeal is now been circulated to press and web news outlets. Regular updates on the restoration progress is to be submitted to the Board of Trustees, when possible copied in Chappel News too.

Museum department news July 2021

 

Museum department news July 2021

These notes are now compiled by a combination of Head of Department minutes compiled by Colin Burwood and social media posts (as this form of communication is becoming more dominant). It is not possible here to record all actions on site, so day to day reporting is best seen on the “WhatsApp” postings, these are seen by over 60 people. 

Estates & Plant

Norman Tenner and Robert Page are leading equipment training about strimmer use. Weed spraying equipment has been purchased and adapted to fit the tractor. Initially two people will be trained in how to use it. 

Richard Gourlay assisted by Aimee, Chelsea, Adam and Matthew have externally painted the south side of Gresley coach alongside Platform 6. It is known that the coach is to remain on site, what is not yet known its internal display space will be re-equipped with.

Proceeds from a second container of scrap metal raised a useful £716. A ride-on mower is now fully operational proving it’s worth with grass cutting in small areas and carrying equipment around the site using a trailer donated by Martin Gibbons.

For those with an interest in environmental items, a new “Heritage Rail Ecology” Facebook group has been set up, with several EARM members contributing. To help manage cuttings made from pruning and weeding activities around site, new composting bins have been provided. 

Team Wednesday 

All credit to the team, with not one but two completed projects! TW are happily back to near full strength and they have proven themselves ready for new challenges. Being quite expert at removing and re-purposing buildings, the former B1 building is now stripped ready for removal. This is required to accommodate the new Exhibition Hall (CN82 /Aug2020). Taken into stock is a large quantity of timber and insulation material. 

Completion of their second project, was re-roofing and repairs to the infrastructure workshop (PW and S&T), formerly MiniRail loco shed. 

TW are now starting their next big project, to use what can be salvaged from the Luggage Composite coach of 1888, to be the face of a Viaduct pub extension. Tim Rice has prepared a virtual illustration of what may be possible. It is expected to have a "new build" back, and have the facade at best endeavours with what material is salvaged.

 

Carriages & Wagon

Work on the BCK is progressing and is expected to be ready for Thomas events at the end of August. A brake problem on the BS has been rectified which was difficult to isolate. Replacement flooring is being placed in the HiBar wagon, which is destined to be a wood store outside. 

Permanent Way 

A plan to tackle out of gauge track in the yard area is being put together by Andrew Cullum and others. This will involve significant excavation and replacing previously assembled track panels. Add to your diary November for major track-gang works - subject to confirmation from Operations.

Signalling

All equipment remains operational, with maintenance tasks and inspections being completed as and when due, the most notable being North Box, which has a full frame inspection and test.

Miniature railway 

A third and fourth new passenger coaches have been delivered, two borrowed from Barnards have now returned. Entrance gates for the station installed to regulate entry and exit of customers. Training and assessing of additional staff for driving and station duties is progressing.

Exhibition Hall works.

 

Exhibition Hall works

Preparatory works are in progress, requiring diversion of services, and Team Wednesday stripping down the former B1 building to its steel frame. A crane contractor will be called upon to move the frames southwards lower into the engineering field, to establish a covered place to store plant and machinery.

All drawings for the Exhibition Shed foundations, levels and steel work have been approved, the Council have passed a conditions document. Allan Robinson is progressing through Building Regulations with the architect.

Foundation work is planned  to start in August, for construction it is necessary to soon block off the current staff car park for which new barrier signage is to be provided.

Contractors are expected to erect the steel frame and roofing in late October. Internal fit-out works are yet to be planned and progressed by the museum, as finance and labour permits. 

Events Feedback ( late May to July 2021)

 

Events Feedback ( late May to July 2021)

May saw the return of the Transport Event taking place over the Spring Bank holiday weekend, this event is now well established with a significant input by the Cornell family.  Andrea was kept busy keeping contact with the various clubs. Admission figures were good, with 220 visitors in Saturday, 270 Sunday and 348 on the Bank holiday.

A very successful “Home Fleet Diesel Gala” took place on Sunday 18th July 2021. It featured principally the launch into public service Waggon und Maschinenbau (W&M) Railbus E79963

Pre-event Facebook publicity was prepared for the event by Neil Temlett , Craig Greenslade is helping us the museum with video promotions

https://www.facebook.com/earailwaymuseum

A post recently added also included a non-railway story, the rescue of a cat outside the museum, its a lively 

forum which  6,648 people follow !  

A comprehensive booklet was produced for the event by Jack Plumb, a portion of which is re-produced above, highlighting the fleet of six and during the day its more complex movements. Over 170 people enjoyed a ride in the Railbus that worked perfectly. It’s trials and tribulations during restoration have featured many times in Stour Valley Steam, within editions 152, 156, 164 and 168.

During its first public outing it was an extremely hot day and driving at the control desk gave new meaning to the term “hot desking”. It is yet to be found out what it's like in colder weather; as it is a four-wheeled vehicle a greater level of care will have to be taken during times of poor weather with reduced rail adhesion.

Museum Opening - post lockdown arrangements

 

Museum Opening - post lockdown arrangements

The Museum 

Is now open on Wednesdays and the weekends over the summer, with events already planned. Consideration is being given to opening on further days during August. 

Darren Johnson has produced 1000 advertising flyers, sponsored by Martin Gibbons. Members are distributing at hotels, B&Bs and, caravan sites in the area, further flyer leaflets will be produced when events are confirmed. Volunteers will need to exercise their own judgement regarding mask wearing and social distancing whilst working on site.

Days out with Thomas

Will be held Saturday 28th to Monday 30th August; after a significant amount of effort by the engineering teams to get locomotives and carriages with fit to run confirmation.

Braintree & Halstead Model Railway Club 

Are now re-opening for club nights, and their display room after having to stay shut for over 15 months. For the diesel gala their Lymswold display featured a W&M Railbus and class 04, adding some interest for children. 

Small Trains Day will be held on the Sunday10^th October.  [ not the 18th October ] 

News on current projects is posted on a separate web site Braintree & Halstead MRC

EARM promoted Beer Festival from 7^th to 11^th September

Brendan Sothcott reports it has been planned to hold a smaller. Currently there are sadly still uncertainties, which results in a 75% chance of operating. Restrictions will apply, the main ones are:  Admission by advanced ticket sale only, two sessions are run daily (except Tuesday), entry from 11:00 to 17:30 and second session 17:30 to 23:00. Beers served in Goods Shed – the consumption of beers has to be outside.

Beer Choice will be reduced to about 100 beers and many ciders.  A smaller range of food offerings, Vegetarian and Vegan options are offered, but these do sell out early. There will be no bands playing or public camping, nor can children and animals be welcomed this time around.

 

 Please keep browsing for updates: chappelbeerfestival.org.uk  

COVID Recovery Grant Outcome and other grant possibilities

 

COVID Recovery Grant Outcome

 

Peter Robinson writes, many of you will be aware that the Government allocated £250m to support the recovery of cultural organisations (including museums) to return to full operation through the summer of 2021.

 

The museum applied for funding through this scheme via the Arts Council to both replenish lost reserves and enable us to reopen our doors to visitors as we used to pre-COVID, however I am sad to report that we have not been successful. Feedback for the decision is limited, but is likely to be related to the huge volume of applications compared with the amount of funding available. To put this into perspective, only 10% of accredited Museums have been awarded grants, with the majority of recipients being from the arts, music and theatre sectors.

 

This outcome means that the Trustees are now considering how our reopening plans through 2021 may have to change, although we are still confident that the future of the Museum is secure.

 

Please look for more updates as the COVID situation develops.

 

DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS

Phil Ainsley writes that there are other forms of funding, besides trying for some help with  revenue support. 

Our museum may consider seeking further development  grants in future. These applications can only really be successful if proposed schemes meet the requirements of a grant-making body. Of these there are many hundreds, with hundreds of stipulations and requirements of the potential funder.

It's not an easy task,  because applications have to contain more than an aspiration and a proposal. Often the first step in an application is a financial audit  on two years of museum accounts. Following that there may be a requirement for  match funding , professional  specialist knowledge sought and referees engaged before a grant application can be made.  

In a recent tele-conference Andrew Cullum and David Reeve listened to  a presentation suggesting potential winning ways, those bodies  that potentially could be applied for are listed below, with an indication of the  funding range  available.

AIM: Biffa Award: History Makers	Average £65,193
American Express - Philanthropic Programme	No Max or Min
Architectural Heritage Fund	up to £15,000- £350,000
Arts Council - National Lottery Project	between £1,000 – £100,000
BIFFA Award	£250,000 and £750,000 (Partnership grant)
Clore Duffield	£500 - £507,000
Esmee Fairbairn/ Museums Association Collections	Up to £250,000 over five years
Essex Community Foundation	up to £15,000
Essex Heritage Trust	£100 to £10,000
Garfield Weston Foundation	£1000 - £350000
Lord Barnby’s Foundation	£1,000 – £5,000 (no maximum amount is specified)
Museums Essex: Small Grants	£500
Pilgrim Trust	Main - £5000 + Small - £5000 or less
Sainsbury's Family Trust	c. £50k + (depending on funder)
V&A (ACE) Purchase Grant Fund	£250 - £50,000

Having listened during this event, the museum is now in a better informed how to approach  prospective grant makers. 

At this time no grants  being sought from funders, it will require a group effort with an agreed project on which we all are agreed and willing to take to completion.  After a period of recovery it may be possible to approach Grant making trusts. It would be a great help if any reader has an interest to progress a project as part of a team in future.

It is the museum’s experience  incremental customer improvements drive customer satisfaction, these  have the most immediate effect on museum finances. To  progress with grants requires as much determination  as money making through our own efforts in the normal way.

Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS)

 

In many areas of museum works and railway operation are attracting increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities. There is no defence of being amateurs, so it is important we follow guidelines that will be given by HoD’s. An example is re-produced in its draft form, it describing a Scrap recovery day which has recently taken place.

 

Risks are identified then measures noted to reduce them, below is an example of how one looks. I realise its small text; this is an example to just show the format and how much thought is required to produce a RAMS document.

Full sized  text will be readable if a RAMS document is circulated to you, or you may be referred  to  a reference copy.  An activity may start highlighted as a Red or Yellow  risk,  but be reduced to a Green/safe operation after mitigation by the procedure written. These will be issued by HoDs when the need arises for new works, or reference to documents held in the Traffic Office.

This RAMS described the work necessary to reduce an unsightly scrap pile in plain sight in the engineering field. All should be aware that our site should be improved visually. In the photo opportunity world of today, its best to keep our scrap orderly stacked, ideally out of sight, and for stored components in the set- down area which is  more of a credit to the museum.

A number of ladders can be seen in this pile, action was taken to only have safe ladders on site, resulting in a number sent for scrap. A recent Mailchimp briefing has re-enforced the need to safety assess the need for access equipment.

Edward Paxman of Colchester, engineering heritage

                                    

It is with regret railway engineering is often outsourced to distant enterprises who often prefer an assembly function in this country. So it is with regret to record the passing of Paxmans diesels of Colchester, a pioneer of diesel traction. This company was well known as manufacturer of engines for Deltic locomotives and HST Power Cars.

                                                       paxman history pages

 

Paxmans long association with railways, is fully explored in the following pages.

Paxman's and railways

It would be impossible to summarise the range of information available on this web site, what is worth recording that the heritage and successes of a local engineering firm is recorded and appreciated. This in a small way is something that can be developed at the museum as a nameplate has been donated by the former owners of a HST Powercar.

Jack Plumb was able to secure from his employers the nameplate, receive by Jaki on behalf of the curatorial department in future a display is to be developed to mark the role of local industry in the story of railways. Paxman developed powerful high speed diesels,  deployed in Deltic locomotives on East Coast line duties, following that Valenta engines originally the power behind the success of HST trains which were more widely adopted across the country.

Paxman’s last diesel engine  development was the  VP185 in 1987. During the late 1990s twenty-five HST power cars were re-engined with Paxman 12VP185L engines in order to improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

HST’s have now been re-engined with MTU units and taken up secondary duties, principally as reduced length trains on Great western and Scotrail.

In preservation Power cars have been donated by Angel Trains  43018 to Crewe Heritage Centre, Porterbrook donated 43048 and 43089 to the 125 Group. Both moved to the group when their lease ended with East Midlands Railway. Today there are no production power cars fitted with a Paxman Valenta engine, although the 125 Group have reinstalled a Paxman Valenta in the surviving prototype power car, 41001 (formerly 43000).