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Leamington and Warwick Model Railways Society Exhibition
We were very happy with the attention our stand drew over the two days of the event and following on from last years event we chose to display a wide variety of models ranging from a sectioned boiler showing how “Steam” engines make and use steam, which was aided by an example of a boiler under construction.
Someone had even put a Hot Air engine in the Thermos flask; however this didn’t seem to matter much as thanks to the LWMRS there was a copious supply of Tea and Coffee available to the stewards who manned the stand During the Event (a big thanks from the Committee to all those who helped man the stand and lent models for the show). Although members often (irreverently perhaps) refer to the show as “Table Top” Layouts (some people must have some very big tables judging by many of the superb layouts on show ) many of the public were genuinely interested in the Models on display and often asked very searching questions. To see a Gallery showing some of the superb layouts on show visit the LWMRS Website Local radio spot to support our 24 hour run
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Society (1935 to 2010) we are organising a 24 hour run at Ryton Pools Country Park from 12 noon on Saturday 24th July to 12 Noon on Sunday 25th with all monies raised going to the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance service (WNAA). The aim is to keep the track “occupied”, with one or more trains running, for the whole of the 24 hours. During the “run” it's hoped to give rides to any members of the public who would like to take a trip around the track when the park is open (day or evening!). Tickets will be on sale as normal at £1 a ride but ALL takings will be donated to the WNAA, which operates out of Baginton Airport. Also as part of the “Run” Five Teddy Bears, who look like they may need help from the WNAA, will be traveling around the track riding on a car with an Odometer fitted, so we'll know just how far “they” travel in the whole 24 hours. SO - For just £1 a time, have a guess just how far the Bears will travel during the 24 hours. The five people, who guess closest to the actual distance, will each receive a bear together with a Certificate as to their authenticity plus A Badge giving the wearer FREE RIDES until September 2011 (When the Railway is open) Forms for this will be available in the visitors Centre at Ryton Pools Country Park and in the Railway Ticket Office during the 24 hour run and over the coming weeks. So come along and watch the fun, or better still, buy a ticket or two, have a ride and whilst you're waiting for the train have a guess just how far CMES will go to keep the Air Ambulance in the air. Remember the WNAA depends solely on Donations they get NO government Support NOR do they get Lottery grants BUT THEY DO SAVE LIVES One day it might be yours or a close member of your family! You can also make a direct donation to the air ambulance online at their website http://www.wnaa.co.uk/. You can now see a gallery of photos taken during this event
Saturday 22nd May 2010 saw temperates reach 27°C, the hottest day for over 8 months but it didn't stop members celebrating our 75th birthday with a special fish & chip supper steam up. Many members ran their locos giving others the opportunity to enjoy a ride on the train and giving other members the opportunity to drive their locos. View a gallery of photos taken during this event.
We've already mentioned that 2010 is our 75th Anniversary, well, for all of those who missed it, how about a bit of nostalgia. A copy of the article in "Model Engineer" which covered the Societies 50th Anniversary in 1985 (by kind permission of myhobbycraft). It makes interesting reading as some of the people mentioned are still active members although sadly not all of them Please note you need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view the document - this can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website
Although there are references in the “Model Engineer” to a “Society” going back to 1904 or 1908 that society seemed to “fizzle out” in 1925. Then in 1934 - 35 the Society re-appeared as The Coventry Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (the name was subsequently changed in 1937 to the Coventry Model Engineering Society) all of this means that 2010 is the SEVENTY FIFTH BIRTHDAY of the Society. There are lots of ideas and plans for events during the year ….. so as not to miss out on any of the year the FIRST of these is that our Railway (RPMR at Ryton Pools) WILL be open to the public on NEW YEARS DAY (weather permitting) from 12.00 noon until 3.00 that’s a bit earlier that our normal running times. So make a note in your diaries and we look forward to seeing you there on New Years day 2010, time to get out of the house after Christmas! There will be other special events during the year so please keep an eye on the web site for news and also keep an eye out for the posters if you’re walking around Ryton Pools.
Looking forward to the 32nd Midlands Model Engineering Echibition which will be at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Fosse Way, Nr Leamington Spa, CV31 1XN from 16th October to the 20th. Once more CMES will have a display of models there. Why not come along and see the wide range of Models on display? Talk to the Stewards on our stand who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. They may not know all the answers, but will happily talk to you and try and help. Once again CMES members will be busy demonstrating in the Workshop Area during the show, so please feel free to talk to them and give them a break! In addition our portable track will be there again giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a short (free!) ride behind a 5”gauge locomotive. You can see a gallery of photos taken during the exhibition.
Once again with the Stoneleigh Park Country Festival on our doorstep CMES had a stand at the show. This year we were asked if we could make use of a bigger stand and consequently the 2009 show saw our biggest stand to date. With nearly double the size of the 2008 stand members rallied around and we managed to put on our normal show covering a wide range of models and projects. 2009 saw everything from Pop-Pop boats to Robots on the stand in addition to the wide range of Stationary Engines running on air, locos in both five inch and three and a half inch gauges, both completed and in various states of Build. The hot air section were showing Stirling Engines and "Flame Licker" Vacuum Engines running – so please, browse through the gallery of pictures, and if you’d like to know more about the Society or our railway at Ryton Pools Country Park just send an email to info@coventrymes.co.uk
Saturday 25th July 2009 saw 'most' of CMES at the Rugby MES Track – "The Rainsbrook Valley Miniature Railway" located in Olney Lane. On the day we managed to get an excellent turn out and during the day many Members enjoyed running on the raised five inch and three and a half inch track and several members also took advantage of the invitation to drive “Heather”, one of the Rugby Club Members seven and a quarter gauge locos around their challenging ground level track, thanks for that Keith - a totally different experience. Our Chairman mentioned that, even though their raised track is a little shorter than ours, his three and half inch loco had clocked up SIX MILES running in the afternoon – so that must mean something. It was also noticeable that many of our members were seen driving loco’s “other” than their own which certainly made it more interesting for everyone. The weather seemed to smile on us as members took full advantage of the track and the hospitality of Rugby MES and I'm sure any future invitations would be equally well patronised. The day certainly provided us with the incentive to get the Steaming Bays at Ryton finished so we can offer Rugby a reciprocal invitation. In the meantime “Thank You Rugby” for an excellent day out and your superb Hospitality. You can see a gallery of photos taken during the day |
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 info@coventrymes.co.uk
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Once again in 2011 we were privileged to be invited to put on a stand at the Leamington and Warwick Model Railways Society (LWMRS) thirty-sixth exhibition held at Stoneleigh Park.
In addition to the overall “Railway” theme there was also a twin Cylinder Aero Engine, several examples of Stationary Engines and, in a contradiction of words, there was also a Hot Air Powered Fan running on the stand for most of the show. 
Happy 75th Birthday to Coventry Model Engineering Society 1935 - 2010
The Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition (Friday 16th - Tuesday 20th October 2009)
Stoneleigh Park Country Festival 2009