The cleared site.
The base goes down.
The walls goes up.
The roof goes on.
The main structure finished.
The new kitchen.
After eight months of hard work the new club house was opened by our oldest member Harry Busby (sadly now deceased) assisted by the deputy Mayor and Mayoress.
Pictures by Muriel Baxendale.
The frame goes up.
And the roof bars.
And the glazing.
Glazing finished.
Trimmed and Finished!.
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Recently, active Leyland member Les Hurst has been confined to a wheel chair and has had to ride in the new disabled truck, pulled by his diesel "Sidewinder"
Les gets "loaded"
Due to the success of the new ground level track we decided we needed more trucks. Unfortunately our old truckshed was full, so we decided to build a new one. Our proposed location was unacceptable to the planning people so after much thinking it was decided to demolish the old shed and build a bigger one in its place.
We employed a professional firm to do the demolition (The roof was reinforced concrete six inches thick!) and it took them 45 minutes!
We put down a new concrete raft and construction commenced.
2nd November 2008
The "Truss Team" at work 4th November 2008
4th November 2008 Brickwork started.
16th November 2008 Brickwork almost complete and roof trusses fixed.
2nd December 2008 Brickwork finished, doors fitted and roof part slated.
7th December 2008 Roof slating finished this side.
7th December 2008 Fancy bits added.
9th December 2008 The roofing team at work on the other side.
16th December 2008 Dave fixes the last slate!.
Thanks to considerable effort by many members, particularly "Clerk of Works" Alan Howarth, the steaming bay cover is now complete except for lighting. Everyone is very pleased with the outcome of this project and Alan can now have his life back and finish his "Caledonia"
Roundhouse Opening Photo:Alan P. Bibby
The new club Loco is now complete and running fairly well. We had Mr Mayor down at the track on Diesel Day to perform the official naming ceremony.
The Worden Ranger with Mr Mayor in command. Photo: Alan P. Bibby
After considerable problems with poor quality "Leisure Batteries", the system was changed from four 12 volt batteries in banks a two, to one bank of four 6 volt traction batteries. ("US batteries" golf cart batteries) These whilst slightly more expensive initially, have proved to be reliable and long lasting.
Due to "operator error" one of the motors burnt out and we were unable to replace it with a similar one as the manufacturer (EMD) had been taken over and the new company could no longer supply them. The Internet came to the rescue and we found some 24v 500 watt motors of Chinese origin. Two were less than the price of one of the old ones and as these are ventilated they can be driven harder. So far they have proved to be very good.
It was been decided to re-engineer the off loading facilities as these have come in for criticism from several parties. The system involves hydraulically operated tables that will raise and lower, allowing locos to be unloaded from any height of vehicle or trailer. (Within reason!) This should avoid the damage that occurs to people's drain cocks as a result of the sudden change in angle of the ramp on the ground level, and save a few strained backs!
During the winter of 2002/2003 "Clerk of Works" Alan Howarth and his merry band of helpers did a lot of metal cutting, drilling, welding, digging, shuttering and concreting, and as a result as the season started the club was equipped with two hydraulically operated tables for loading/unloading of locos. These were based on the Urmston club's design, but with modifications to suit our situation.
Whilst they were at it, the gang replaced a large area of concrete inside the gates and re-engineered them to make access easier.
Alan, Jason, Geoff and Ernie unload Bert on the new lift. Photo: Chris Farnhill
The lift lowered ready to run Bert onto the turntable. Photo: Chris Farnhill
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Page updated: 11/01/2019