Corrected version - next running day Sunday 25 July 2010:
PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENTS : JULY 2010
Monthly Meeting:-
Date & Time:- Wednesday, 21 July 2010. 7.00 p.m. for 7.30.
Venue: Clubhouse of the Durban Society of Model Engineers, Hinton Grove, VIRGINIA
Feature:- Regrettably, due to the sudden passing of Stan Crompton, who was to have provided this month’s talk, the entertainment will now take the form of a photographic essay on the recent Geoff Cooke Tour which covered various parts of South Africa.
Next Month’s Programme:-
Wednesday, 18 August 2010:- Entertainment to be confirmed. We are looking for items to fill in the entertainment slots at forthcoming meetings. If you can assist, please contact me at your earliest convenience – especially if you have offered before and I didn’t get back to you. Unfortunately this can happen when people get busy…!!
Cape Town Excursion:- The trip has tentatively been booked for the week 9 – 15 October 2010. Final details regarding prices are still awaited, as various options are being investigated. This should be confirmed shortly.
Umgeni Steam Railway:- (website address: http://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za)
Sunday, 25 July 2010 : Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
Sunday, 8 August 2010 : Electric Special : Pietermaritzburg – Nottingham Road (10:00)
Tuesday, 10 August 2010 : Committee Meeting at New Germany (17:30)
Saturday, 28 August 2010 : Race The Train Event : Inchanga – Kloof (14:00) - steam
Sunday, 29 August 2010 : Running Day : Kloof – Inchanga (08:30 & 12:30) – steam
Tuesday, 7 September 2010 : Committee Meeting at New Germany (17:30)
Work-parties take place at Inchanga and Mason’s Mill most weekends – usually on Saturdays. Coaching – 031-701 6810 (Clem Robins) projects currently underway include the refurbishment of brake-end no.7390; Locos – 082-820 9337 (Simon Anderson) projects currently underway include extensive repairs to the tender of 3BR no. 1486 as well as the restoration of 118 year old Dubs A no.134 (NGR 88); ‘Maritzburg activities – 083-435 9210 (Roy Raats) projects underway include repairs to coaches nos. 233 and 4781 and loco no. 2637. For all enquiries about the running of U.S.R. trains, as well as bookings, please call Rob Macgregor on 031-303 3003, 087-808 7715 or 082-353 6003.
Railway History Society:- The next RHS meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 at 8 Old New Germany Road, Westville - the house of the Convenor, Mike Cottrell. The main topic of discussion will be the feasibility of holding the 150th Anniversary commemoration on Heritage Day, 24 September 2010. Library sessions: 11:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays, 17 July 2010 and 21 August at Inchanga station. Willing hands are desperately needed at the library, especially in the archive section which seems to grow by the month! As always, all are welcome at the library – complimentary coffee at about 11:00; liquid refreshments on sale all day and there’s a braai at 1 pm. The correspondence files which contain various groups’ newsletters etc. that are on display at RSSA monthly meetings are now also available on Library days for those who can’t get around to viewing them at meetings.
Railway Museum:- The Society would like to establish a formal railway museum at Inchanga. Suitable premises have already been identified (old station master’s house), but the challenge is to find a volunteer who would be prepared to undertake the project as museum curator – limited accommodation is available and this may eventually also become a paid position. If you feel you are a potential candidate, or you know someone who is, please contact me urgently.
Modellers:-. Assistance is often required for the running of the model layout at Inchanga Station on USR Running Days. To volunteer or for more details please contact Jeremy Hathorn on 031-309 1817.
Renewals:- Renewal forms have been sent out to all unpaid members and payment is now due.
D.S.M.E.:- Durban Society of Model Engineers operates miniature live steam trains for the public on the second Sunday of each month at Kellaway Park, Hinton Grove, VIRGINIA. For details, contact John Coombe on 031-572 6984.
SA Post Office Commemorative Stamp Series:- The Post Office has produced an impressive 150th Anniversary of Railways stamp series. These are available from certain post offices, but Reef Branch member Jean Dulez advises that, for a limited period only, he is able to obtain a sheet of the stamps plus two first day covers for only R60 (plus postage). If you are interested, please contact Jean directly at JDulez@weirminerals.com, or at P.O. BOX 75169, GARDEN VIEW, 2047.
Ashley Peter
SECRETARY