Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

The Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO) normally visits a different model engineering society each year for a day of running live steam models of 'Lion'. In 2023, the event on 1st July held in Solihull at the Illshaw Heath Road site of the Birmingham Society of Model Engineers was overshadowed by the unexpected death of John Brandrick, the Chairman of OLCO, a few weeks earlier. However, since the Birmingham club had been John Brandrick's 'home club' some years ago, it was considered appropriate to proceed with the arrangements John himself had made for our visit.

The Birmingham Society of Model Engineers



The club was founded in 1936 with the aim of bringing together people from all walks of life who share a common interest in model engineering and its heritage, in miniature. It operates from a splendid track at Ilshaw Heath, Solihull. There is a continuous elevated track for 3.5" and 5" gauge models 319m in length (steel rails with recycled platic sleepers), an outer ground level circuit for 5" and 7.25" gauge models 342 metres in length (steel rails with wooden sleepers) and an extensive garden railway catering for Gauge '0' and Gauge '1' models. The elevated and ground level tracks each have their own station for loading and unloading passengers with overbridges for access and awnings and features in G.W.R. style. Two signal boxes in G.W.R. style are provided and each circuit has colour light signalling. Steaming bays (with built-in power for both 12 and 24 volt electric blowers) and all the usual facilities including toilets are provided. There is a fine purpose-built clubhouse, well fitted-out for providing refreshments. The whole site has been landscaped, forming an attractive venue.


This Aerial view of BSME Ilshaw Heath track gives an impression of the extensive faciliites (Google)
Click for larger view

Ilshaw Heath Halt, with its GWR appearance, is situated just outside the clubhouse. The impressive footbridge provides pedestrian access to the grassed area enclosed by the running tracks.


Ilshaw Heath Halt on the elevated track, with footbridge in the background and the clubhouse just visible to the right: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

Kingswood station serving the outer, ground level track was not in use during 'Lionsmeet' but it provided an impressive 'backdrop'. It also has a GWR appearance with umbrella roofing along the island platform, parachute water tank and brick-built signal box.


Kingswood station on the ground level circuit with Signal Box in the distance and elevated track on the right: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

Live steam running

Fortunately, the weather was good throughout the day. The steaming bays quickly became the focus of interest as 'Lion' models were unloaded and prepared for operation. There was parking for visitors with models near the loading point where models are moved between road vehicles and a manual traverser. This traverser allows interchange of locomotives between two sidings leading to and from the steaming bays and to and from the elevated continuous track.


Adrian Banks on 'Thunderbolt' near the substantially-built manual traverser which links two sidings from the steaming bays with with the elevated track. Note the hinged multi-gauge 'transfer flap' in the raised position: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

Adjacent to the traverser, an electrically-powered elevator is available to allow heavier models to be lifted from a road vehicle onto the traverser.


The electrically-powered Elevator provided for lifting larger models: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

At the steaming bays, a '2-into-1' traverser selects which of the two sidings from the loading point connects to the turntable.


Activity at the Steaming Bays with the Carriage Shed beyond: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

A further outlet from the steaming bay turntable feeds the carriage shed, recognisable as a pre-cast sectional garage. To allow the doors of this shed to close, a removeable section of track is used to 'bridge' between the turntable and the carriage shed.


Interior of the Carriage Shed: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

The original format for 'Lionsmeet' featured a fairly good-natured competition between 'Lion' models to determine the most "efficient" (determined by measured work done in ten minutes). But, some few years ago, the competition was abandoned in favour of a more relaxed, informal style which allows plenty of time for congenial conversation between locomotive drivers, non-drivers and members of the host club in an atmosphere infused with the attractive odour of warm oil and steam. Four 'Lion' models were steamed and, in addition, various models were on static display, some under construction. John Hawley's splendid 7.25" gauge 'Lion' (built by Harrye Frowen) was much admired but, sadly, not in steam.


"Brewing up": Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers


Bryan Buckley offers comments to the driver of Bryan's 'Lion' (which carries a 'Worcester and District' headboard). A second 'Lion' waits to follow into the station and, in the backgound, 'Thunderbolt' approaches: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers


John Hawley's splendid 7.25" gauge 'Lion', built by Harrye Frowen): Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers


Adrian Banks lets a member of BSME try 'Thunderbolt': Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers


'Thunderbolt' and three 'Lions': Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

BSME Clubhouse

Hot and Cold drinks with snacks were available at the refreshment area within the large clubhouse throughout the day. A fine buffet lunch was served, finishing with strawberries and cream.


The purpose-built clubhouse viewed from the Footbridge at Ilshaw Heath Halt: Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

Overall Impression

Of course, the unexpected death of John Brandrick, the Chairman of OLCO, just a few weeks before cast a long shadow over the event but I believe he would have approved of enthusiasts coming together to operate and discuss live steam models which had always been so important to him. OLCO extend warm thanks for the generous welcome shown by B.S.M.E. They have a well-established site with an impressive range of facilities which I'm afraid this report only hints at.

Related posts on other websites

Birmingham Society of Model Engineers Ltd.

Related posts on this website

To find all my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee and the locomotive 'Lion', click here or select 'OLCO' under 'Labels to select a blog topic'.

My pictures at Lionsmeet 2023

Lionsmeet 2023: Birmingham Society of Model Engineers

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the 'My pictures' links and display or download the image in various resolutions.

John Brandrick, R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that I report the death of John Brandrick on 22nd May 2023. Amongst his many interests he was Chairman of the Old Locomotive Committee and well-known as a railway enthusiast, railway historian and live-steam modeller.


John Brandrick at 'Lionsmeet', Worcester, 13th August 1922.

Old Liverpool Postcards and the 'Lion' Pumping House

My first visit to Liverpool was over seventy years ago and my early experiences are described in the posts Liverpool (2008) and Liverpool (again) (2014). Since then, I've continued to publish posts about the area, grouped as Merseyside.

I only recently discovered the website Historic Liverpool) with old maps and a blog run by Martin Greaney and Sue Greaney. They offer framed maps and Martin's book 'Liverpool: A Landscape History'. In the blog, there's a post 'Postcards from Edwardian Liverpool' and two of these particularly interested me.


Liverpool: Edwardian postcard view of Princes Dock, looking north, showing in the foreground the pump house where 'Lion' was used to empty the Princes Graving Dock seen immediately behind the pumphouse (Photo: 'Historic Liverpool')


Liverpool: Edwardian postcard view of Princes Dock, looking north, showing 4-funnel liner at the Landing Stage and New Brighton Tower in the background (Photo: 'Historic Liverpool')

Apart from the general interest of any old photographs, I found three features of special note.

Princes Graving Dock Pumping House

The first postcard shows the Graving Dock emptied and with a cargo vessel receiving attention. In the foreground, the pumping house where 'Lion' was used to drive the chain pump used to empty the Graving Dock is visible. The details are not too clear but, by reference to the 1873 drawing below, the elaborate chimney associated with the Pumping House is definitely visible.


Liverpool: Drawing of Princes Graving Dock Pumping House circa 1873 (National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside)

It's assumed that, following electrification of the Graving Dock pumping in the 1920s and donation of 'Lion' to the Liverpool Engineering Society, this chimney was demolished. Certainly, it's gone in the 1961 colour image I included in the post 'Lion' Locomotive - the Lost Years, copied below.


Liverpool Pierhead in 1961 with the 'Empress of Britain' dominating the scene. Of interest to rail enthusiasts is the rare view of the Pumphouse (to the left of the 'Belfast' hoarding) from where the locomotive 'Lion' was rescued (Photo: N.P.B. collection from 'Reflections on a River').
Click for larger view.

In 1992, National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside documented the remaining Pumping House in drawings and photographs prior to demolition. This information was published in 'Lionsheart', the newsletter of the Old Locomotive Committee (No. 29 April 1993, No. 31 Sep 1993 and No. 61 June 2005) and some of which is reproduced here. All issues of 'Lionsheart' are available online to Old Locomotive Committee members via the OLCO website here, which also includes membership application details.

Four funnel liner

The second postcard shows a four funnel steamship moored at Liverpool Landing Stage. I was intrigued about the identity of this ship and was surprised to discover that only 14 liners were ever built with 4 funnels.

Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse (launched 1897, scuttled 1914)
Deutschland (launched 1900, scrapped 1925)
Kronprinz Wilhelm (launched 1901, scrapped 1923)
Kaiser Wilhelm II (launched 1902, siezed by USA 1917 finally scrapped 1940)
Lusitania (launched 1906, torpedoed 1915)
Mauritania (launched 1906, scrapped 1935)
Kronprinzessin Cecilie (launched 1906, siezed by USA 1917 finally scrapped 1940)
France (launched 1910, scrapped 1935)
Olympic (launched 1910, scrapped 1935-1937)
Titanic (launched 1911, sank 1912)
Aquitania (launched 1913, scrapped 1950)
Britannic (launched 1914, mined 1916)
Arundel Castle (launched 1919, scrapped 1959)
Windsor Castle (launched 1921, torpedoed 1943)

The above and much more can be found on the Maritime Quest website here which has a marvellous collection of historic photographs.

This was the period when transatlantic companies vied to provide enhanced facilities to their First Class clientele. Of course, it wasn't just the rich and famous who travelled on these luxurious leviathans. Liverpool was the port of departure for many emigrants seeking a better life in the United States, usually travelling more modestly in 'Steerage' as Third Class was often called.

New Brighton Tower

In both the aboce postcards, New Brighton Tower is visible in the distance on the other side of the river. This tower, outlined in a Wikipedia article here had a fairly short existence (1898-1921), defining the possible range for the date of the two original photographs.

Following the success of Blackpool Tower, opened in 1894, New Brighton acquired its own tower in 1898. The tower itself (like Blackpool) surmounted an impressive brick-built ballroom. The tower was closed during World War I during which maintenance stopped and, after the war, it was decided to demolish the tower and sell the low carbon steel used in its construction for scrap. The Tower Ballroom remained in use until destroyed by fire in 1969.


New Brighton Tower (Photo: Historic England Archive)

Related posts on other websites

Lion & The Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO website)
Four Funnel Liners (Maritime Quest)
New Brighton Tower (Wikipedia)

Related Pumping House posts on this website

'Lion' and the Pumphouse
'Lion' Locomotive - the Lost Years
To find all my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee and the locomotive 'Lion', click here or select 'OLCO' under 'Labels to select a blog topic'.

To find all my posts on Liverpool, The Wirral and Merseyside, click here.

'Lionsmeet' 2022 Worcester

The Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO) normally visits a different model engineering society each year for a day of running live steam models of 'Lion' (and similar elderly prototypes up to around 1850) combined with friendly discussions of the joys and problems of this type of model building. The event is known as 'Lionsmeet'. However, following the event held at Bournemouth in 2019 (report here), the Covid19 pandemic prevented events in 2020 and 2021. On 13th August 2022, the event resumed, accepting the invitation from Worcester and District Model Engineers

History of the Worcester and District Club

The club was founded in 1946 and a straight multi-gauge track (2 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 inch) 100 yards long was built in Gheluvelt Park, Worcester.


First day of public opening in 1948 at Gheluvelt Park, with Alf Castle driving 'Lady Rosalie' (Photo: Worcester News)

Expansion at Gheluvelt Park (the name commemorates the 2nd Battalion, Worcester Regiment's role in the World War I Battle of Gheluvelt, Belgium) was not possible but the local council offered the present site in Waverley Street, Diglis to allow a continuous run to be constructed.

The continuous raised track (3 1/2 and 5 inch gauge) 230 yards long was opened in 1954 but, after long service, was renewed and re-opened by the Mayor of Worcester in 1999. Latterly, 2 1/2 inch gauge running has been added to the continuous track.

The adjacent club house was originally built as a workshop only, but as tea and cakes became popular on public running days, a kitchen extension was added in 1963 to improve refreshment facilities.

In 1968, a second, continuous ground level track (3 1/2, 5, and 7 1/4 inch gauge) was built inside the original, raised track. The inner, ground level track is looped over a bridge (with gradients of around 1 in 100 approaching and leaving the bridge) to give a length of 350 yards. In 2002, refurbishment of the bridge decking was completed. More recent projects for the ground level circuit include sleeper replacement, re-ballasting and new 7 1/4 inch gauge rolling stock.


Aerial view of Worcester & District Model Engineers track (Photo: WDMES)

Getting there

I'd originally arranged transport by road with a relative but, at short notice, a difficulty arose. Then I thought "I can go by train!", until I discovered that strike action affecting a number of Train Operating Companies made that impossible. The Chairman of OLCO, John Brandrick, came to my rescue, as he was driving down from Lancashire on the morning of 'Lionsmeet 2022' and offered to detour to my home to pick me up. We had an enjoyable drive to Worcester, discussing various railway matters.

Refreshments

We were made very welcome by the host club and Hot and Cold drinks with various cakes were available at the refreshment area throughout the day. An excellent buffet lunch was served at lunch time.


OLCO members enjoying the refreshment facilities, WDMES: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester

Informal Running

OLCO members who ran their models enjoyed exclusive access to both the elevated and ground level circuits. Until, I think, Lionsmeet 2013 OLCO members would engage in a not-too-serious competition to see which model could perform the greatest 'work done' in ten minutes. In the following year, the format changed to 'informal running' which seemed well-received by members and so, to date, the competition has not been reinstated.

John Dalton from Chelmsford was first into steam and he had the inner, ground-level circuit to himself with his splendid 7 1/4 inch gauge 'Lion'. His attractive driving truck is in the form of a Great Western open wagon and it's equipped with a vacuum brake.


John Dalton's 7.25" 'Lion' with multifunction Driving Truck on the inner circuit at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester

Lifting the hinged seat on the driving truck reveals the'works' - a sealed rechargeable lead-acid battery powering a vacuum pump for the brake cylinder. A small control panel has pushbuttons for 'Brake Off' and 'Brake On' (it is not designed as a 'proportional' brake) and a brake gauge. During preparation, the battery can be used to power an electric fan as a blower, so as to be independent of 'shore supplies'.


John Dalton's Driving Truck incorporates a battery to power both an electric blower during lighting up and a vacuum pump for the brake cylinder on the Driving Truck during running: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester

Three 5 inch gauge 'Lion' models were steamed on the outer, elevated track - A J Richards' 'Lion', Alan Banks' 'Thunderbolt' and Jon Swindlehurst's 'Lion'. They were prepared on elevated steaming bays (5 inch or dual 3 1/2 and 5 inch gauge) radiating from a dual gauge turntable which allows locomotives to be transferred to and from the outer, elevated circuit via a traverser.


A J Reynolds readies his 'Lion' in the steaming bays: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Alan Banks preparing 'Thunderbolt' in the steaming bays: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Jon Swindlehurst preparing his 'Lion' in the steaming bays: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


John Dalton, with his 7 1/4 inch gauge 'Lion', crossing over the bridge: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


A J Reynolds 'Lion' setting off: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Alan Banks driving 'Thunderbolt' on the outer, elevated circuit: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Jon Swindlehurst pauses for a chat whilst running his 5 inch gauge, well-known model of 'Lion'. The Exhibition marquee is in the background: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Four 'Lion' models steamed at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester. In the foreground, John Brandrick is a passenger as 'Thunderbolt' pauses, with Jon Swindlehurst waiting behind and A J Reynolds also stopped further back near the marquee. Meanwhile, John Dalton has the inner track to himself.

Exhibition Tent

To enable various models and models-in-progress (many from members of the host club) to be shown, a large marquee, provided with tables and chairs, had been erected. It was a few moments before I realised that the rather curious profile of the tent was because an even larger marquee, ingeniously, had been only part assembled. A fascinating selection of models was displayed here, including Jon Swindlehurst's nearing-completion 7 1/4 inch gauge 'Lion', which he tells me has been run successfully on air.


General view of marquee display, showing two 'Lion' models with ballast trains, displayed by Jackie and Bryan Buckley at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


L: 3.5" 'Lion' and (behind) 'Rainhill', R: two 'Lion' models with ballast trains, all displayed by Jackie and Bryan Buckley at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Cylinders and valve gear for 5" gauge 'Lion', displayed by Will Taylor at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


5" gauge 'Lion', displayed by Tim and Neil Bottle at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


7.25" gauge 'Lion', displayed by Jon Swindlehurst at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester. This new model has already been satisfactorily run using air.

Overall Impression

It wasn't the best attended 'Lionsmeet' that's been run (I suspect the Covid19 Pandemic may still be exerting a lasting effect) but it was certainly one of the more memorable, partly because of the opportunity to meet face-to-face after being restricted to remote communication for so long, partly because of the good weather but mainly because of the welcome Worcester and District Model Engineers gave us.

Related posts on other websites

Worcester and District Model Engineers (Facebook)

Related posts on this website

To find all my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee and the locomotive 'Lion', click here or select 'OLCO' under 'Labels to select a blog topic'.

My pictures at Worcester

Lionsmeet 2022

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the 'My pictures' links and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Old Locomotive Committee Annual General Meeting, 2022

The Covid19 pandemic resulted in cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 Annual General Meetings of the Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO). The 2022 A.G.M. was held on Saturday, 7th May 2022 at the Museum of Liverpool.

Getting there

I travelled on the same West Midland Trains service from Birmingham to Liverpool Lime Street that I'd used a short time before for my New Brighton trip (described here). This train leaves Wolverhampton at 08:21 but on Saturdays there is no bus early enough to get me to Wolverhampton, so I next considered catching the train at Penkridge, where the 08:21 calls on weekdays but, I discovered, not on Saturdays so instead I travelled by car to Stafford to pickup the train there.

The 8-car Siemens 'Desiro' Class 350 gave us an uneventful and on-time journey to Liverpool Lime Street where I transferred to the underground Merseyrail station for the short journey to James Street by one of the elderly Class 507/508 3-car sets which are due to be replaced by Stadler Class 777. Back at ground level, it was sunny but rather windy as I walked to the Waterfront. The ten o'clock Mersey Ferry had just left Pier Head but my attention was drawn to the adjacent Cruise Terminal where Tui cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 3' was moored.


Cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 3' visits Liverpool: OLCO A.G.M. 2022

I then walked to the Museum of Liverpool, housing the 1838 locomotive 'Lion'. The museum is home to some interesting artefacts but I will never forgive the 'dented shoebox' architectural design of the building, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 (my report is here). A few years earlier, in 2004, Liverpool had achieved World Heritage Status from UNESCO for the "outstanding universal value" of its waterfront. But this was withdrawn in 2021 (only the third site in 50 years to lose the coveted status) because of "significant loss to its authenticity and integrity" caused by the host of ghastly redevelopments including the museum itself.

'Lion' was on display in the Great Port Gallery, but it was disappointing to find most of the display screens provided to interpret 'Lion' and the Great Port Gallery were out of use. There's a short post here describing the arrangements commissioned in 2011. I understand that, such is the pace of technological change, maintenance of these systems is becoming problematic.


'Lion' on display at the Museum of Liverpool: OLCO A.G.M. 2022

Informal proceedings started around 1.00 p.m. as the Chairman, John Brandrick, described the David Royle Archive of ‘Lion’-related documents held by OLCO and displayed a number of drawings for examination. There was then a special illustrated talk about the Museum of Liverpool Transport Collection given by Transport Curator Sharon Brown which was very vell received.


OLCO A.G.M. 2022 (Photo: Sharon Brown)

The formal A.G.M.followed. In his report, the Chairman particularly thanked the editor of the OLCO Magazine 'Lionsheart' for informing and entertaining the membership during the Covid Pandemic when face-to-face activities were not possible. It was noted that Rapido Trains are introducing an 00 gauge model of 'Lion', based on John Hawley's drawings of the prototype, which should be viewed as an opportunity to expand OLCO's activities. [Progress on this project is shown here]. A full report on the A.G.M. has been circulated to OLCO Members.

The A.G.M. finished at 16:20. The weather was glorious but, already tired, I was not tempted by further exploration. I walked back to James street and caught the next train to Liverpool Lime Street.


Class 508 entering James Street station, inbound to Liverpool before traversing the Liverpool Loop and becoming an outbound train: OLCO A.G.M. 2022

I had intended to catch the next hourly West Midland Trains service back to Wolverhampton but I discovered that there was an earlier Avanti West Coast train to London which called at Stafford. Having confirmed the validity of my ticket on this train (Train Operating Companies seem obsessed with having very complicated and irritating restrictions on which trains different tickets can be used), I had a decent journey by 'Pendolino' to Stafford, with only a few minutes to wait there for a connection on to Wolverhampton.

It was good to meet my OLCO friends face-to-face after being restricted to remote communication for so long.

Related posts on other websites

The Titfield Thunderbolt 70th Anniversary Range (Rapido Trains UK)

Related posts on this website

Royal Visit to the Museum of Liverpool
Audio Visual Installations at the Museum of Liverpool

To find all my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee and the locomotive 'Lion', click here or select 'OLCO' under 'Labels to select a blog topic'.

My pictures

OLCO A.G.M. 2022
The Old Locomotive Committee and Lionsmeet (All my OLCO Collections)


Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the 'My pictures' links and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Titfield Thunderbolt Film Posters

Some months ago when I was browsing on Abebooks (my first choice for books, particularly second-hand railway books) I came across BENITO ORIGINAL MOVIE POSTER based in Spain who were offering an original English poster for the 'Titfield Thunderbolt' film, showing the theft of the '14XX' by Dan and Mr. Valentine.

I'm afraid it would have set you back over £800 plus shipping but the Spanish poster for the film below was available at under £300.

You will note that, for Spanish-speaking audiences, the film had been re-titled 'LOS APUROS DE UN PEQUEÑO TREN' which, apparently, means 'The Troubles of a Small Train'.

I also found another poster for the film which used a mirror-image of the '14XX' artwork above but with the Spanish title.

Intrigued, I also found a poster on offer from CineMateriel for the French re-release. I discovered that 'Tortillard' is a term for a train, particularly a slow or roundabout local train, which I found rather charming.

Until I spotted the '14XX' poster above on the internet, I only remember having previously seen the Edward Bawden film poster, which I mentioned in my post The Titfield Thunderbolt and is repeated below, but a little more exploration showed that there are quite a few other film posters and artwork for DVD releases around. 

The Legend of the Titfield Thunderbolt lives on!

Serious Flooding at Hereford Society of Model Engineers, Broomy Hill

'Lionsmeet 2018' was held at the Broomy Hill track of the Hereford Society of Model Engineers (HSME). That enjoyable event is described in the post here.

So I was saddened to receive the following report from the HSME Chairman, Wally Sykes:-

Halloween was a bit of a damp squib for the 2019 celebrations at the Hereford Society of Model Engineers as the highest recorded floods for 20 years ravaged the Broomy site in the early hours of the 26th of October 2019, putting the site under 6ft of water and swamping all of the locomotives we had ready for the Halloween that evening. Facebook users offered to help with the clean-up and a hardcore of 36 members started the clean-up on Tuesday the 29th. Some of the locomotives have been taken home by members to start the long task of restoration, the rest of the locos and carriages will be restored on-site over the next 6 months and we will open for Easter with smiling faces as if nothing had happened. I would like to thank all the team for their help all year and especially through this disaster.

Wally sent some remarkable photographs which I've added to my album of pictures on Lionsmeet 2018 here. Below, I've juxtaposed a few 'THEN' and 'NOW' shots to illustrate the scale of the tragedy. The 'THEN' pictures are by me, the 'NOW' pictures are by HSME.


THEN: HSME Broomy Hill: Carriage shed.

NOW: HSME Broomy Hill: Carriage shed.


THEN: HSME Broomy Hill: Tunnel Mouth with flood gauge.

NOW: HSME Broomy Hill: Tunnel Mouth with flood gauge.


THEN: HSME Broomy Hill: Compton Station.

NOW: HSME Broomy Hill: Compton Station.


THEN: HSME Broomy Hill: Broomy Hill Junction.

NOW: HSME Broomy Hill: Broomy Hill Junction.

For more information about HSME, go to their website here, which includes a 'Contact Us' page.