Upcoming events for the NFS Vehicles Group

Posted on May 16, 2012 by lowdhamstation

June and early July will be a very busy time for the group, with a number of great events coming up.

9th / 10th June is the wartime event at Quorn Station on the Great Central Railway. (www.gcrailway.co.uk) They also do a preview day on the Friday (8th) for schools. Last year, this was the first public event we raised the escape off the Fordson (in the rain!), but it will be much better now, as they have installed a turntable with a protecting fence at the far end of the yard, behind the signalbox. There is mains electricity available, and we have been told that a wagon will be on the turntable, and we can fill it with smoke, and spray it with water. There will also be a clear ‘run’ the length of the station, so we can drive to the ‘fire’, bells ringing. So we can do drill demonstrations during the morning, and a ‘shout’ in the afternoon. I haven’t promised anything on the Friday, but is anyone interested?

16th/17th June is Derby Fire Show, (derbyfireshow.co.uk) and we have the opportunity of doing a wartime NFS display, probably involving K2, Dennis TP, Fordson and the TL, spraying water from the top of the ladder onto a burning shed. Also will be an AFS display with Green Goddesses and a Pipe Bridge. (We are practising for this at Mercia Marina this Sunday [20th May]). As I work about halfway between home and Derby, the plan is to go to work each day that week in a different appliance, and then on to Derby in the evening. But I will need some drivers to get them all home again on Sunday evening!

23rd/24th June is Clumber at War,  (www.eventplan.co.uk/page190.html) in the grounds of Clumber Park (National Trust). Always a good event, and a big lake to pump water from. This is organised by Eventplan. A good 1940s turnout.

30th June/1st July is Operation Malt Shovel at the Museum of Brewing, in Burton-on-Trent. Opportunity to get the escape up against a tall building, or pump and use the TL, depending on who is available.

7th/8th July is the Staveley Armed Forces and Veterans Association  event (www.safva.co.uk/what-s-on/2012event)  at Staveley (S43 3WL), near Chesterfield. It happens in a country park about a mile from the town, where there is a big lake. We have been invited to join a procession from the town to the park each morning, and to do whatever demonstrations we like.

As usual, I need to know who is available for which events. I hope we will have sufficient crew to do a viable demonstration each weekend, although static display is a fallback option. david@lowdhamstation.me.uk, or 07718 077584.

 

Posted in 1940s Events, AFS, Events, Future Events, Re-enactor info | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Welland entries

Posted on April 24, 2012 by lowdhamstation

This year, we are again restricted to a limited space, so I will be looking for a good diversity of entries. As ever, I do need a lot of manpower to put on a good display, so if you would like to come and help without a vehicle, you can still get free entry and free camping, and enjoy a great event with lots of activity.

So far, I have received the following entries:

  • SYH462 AFS Goddess (Norman Jones)
  • RGC819 AFS Goddess (Steve Morgan)
  • NYV846 AFS Goddess (Steve Morgan)
  • RYX499 AFS Control Unit (Tony Henwood)
  • 115XUB AFS light recovery ‘wrecker’ (Tony Henwood)
  • GMR482 AFS S1 Land Rover (Steve Morgan)
  • ALN238B Landrover 109 (Roger Turpin)
  • OSJ773 AFS Matchless G3 Motorbike (Chris Brooks)
  • SXF34 AFS BSA motorbike (Jim Borthwick)

I am hoping Dan Walker will bring the following:

  • Northern Ireland Yellow Goddess
  • Pipe Carrier
  • Nubian Major crash tender

Depending on space, John Sutcliffe and I will probably bring:

  • GLT676 Austin K2 + Dennis pump
  • RHW207G Austin Gipsy + Trailer of pipe bits
  • GXN215 Austin K4 Turntable Ladder
  • GGN802 Fordson Escape Carrier

One more goddess would be good as a reserve, as we need 3 or 4 that are capable of pumping. We do need two RLs, as one will be full of 6″ pipes for the pipe bridge, and a second to use as the hose layer. So another RL would be very welcome indeed. Given that entry, we are about full, unless anyone has anything exceptionally interesting, like a Bikini Unit, for instance.

Posted in 7V EC, GGN802, AFS at Welland, Dennis No2 TA Trailer Pump, Gipsy RHW207G, K4 TL GXN215, Re-enactor info | Leave a comment

Operation Bridgett at Mercia Marina, Sunday 20th May

Posted on April 24, 2012 by lowdhamstation

Our next outing is an AFS display to try out our new 6″ pipe bridge with water. The location will be Mercia Marina, Willington, just off the A38/A50 junction a few miles South of Derby.

The objectives are:

  • to demonstrate the use of 6″ hose and the pipe bridge
  • To do a full practice for a similar display at Derby Fire and Rescue Show in June, and the AFS display at Welland in July.

We plan to have Chris Lamb’s appliance drawing water from the lake, and supplying via 2 delivery hoses to the 6,000-litre (1,500 gallons) dam. Water from here will be relayed using a Goddess to pump to the 6″ hose to the pipe bridge, and thence to a second goddess. This will deliver the water to 4 delivery hoses, probably feeding a couple of ground monitors and a couple of branchmen. The water goes back into the lake.

We will start by pre-assembling some fittings to the pipe bridge sections to save time in the display. Two lengths of 6″ hose will be feathered (in a flat zigzag) in the back of a hose-laying vehicle.

The display

  • The appliances will park in position, and the hose layer will lay the 6″ hose.
  • Everyone will then gather round the pipe bridge kit, and assemble it, and then raise it.
  • Chris’ appliance will be set up to start filling the dam, and will start pumping as soon as it is ready.
  • Others will connect the 6″ relay hoses and run out delivery hoses.
  • Once the 6″ hose is ready the first goddess can prime, and then run on tickover. As there is no valve on the 6″ outlet, water will flow at very low pressure as far as the pipe bridge. A little more power will get water to the second goddess.
  • As soon as the branches are ready for water, the goddess pumpman will turn on the deliveries as appropriate.
  • The first goddess pumpman will increase pressure to supply an adequate amount of water to the second. Too much, and it will dump through the nurse valve. Too little, and the hose will collapse.
  • To end the display, the appliance by the lake will knock off, and the dam will empty quite quickly (say 2 GMs with 1″1/8 nozzles at 60psi give 250gpm each, and two branchmen with 3/4″ nozzles at 80psi give 125gpm each  - a total of 750 gallons per minute, or less than 2 minutes to empty a full dam!)
  • As soon as the dam is empty, the second goddess pumpman should shut off all except one delivery outlet, and run his pump until it has scavenged as much water as is practical.

Making up

The drain valve will be opened to drain the section from first goddess to bridge, as this will still be under pressure due to the non-return valve in the goddess. All other 6″ hose clamps are simply removed to drain water out.

As this will leave the legs of the bridge full of water, one at a time, the clamps are released, which will allow the water to escape.

The bridge can then be lowered and dismantled.

We plan to meet around 10am, and do the demonstration, several times if there is time and enthusiasm, before finishing around 4pm.

Posted in AFS, Goddess RLHZ PGW177, Re-enactor info | Leave a comment

It can now be revealed – A Re-enactor’s War

Posted on April 19, 2012 by lowdhamstation

Some months ago, we were invited to contribute to a book, edited by John Leete, about our experiences in re-enacting. But we had to keep it secret until the book was announced. We decided to use our chapter of the book as our ‘about’ page – you can read it here.

The Home Front Revisited And Remembered
John Leete
Foreword By Helen Patton
Introduction By The Royal British Legion
Epilogue by Dame Vera Lynn
Celebrating a community, the history they bring to life, and the inspiration that drives them
‘It is important that we all remember our history and it is to the re-enactors we turn in helping to ensure we never forget.’ DAME VERA LYNN

The Second World War changed Britain and its people forever and as the gap of history widens, re-enactment plays an increasingly significant role in keeping alive the social and military experience of the war years and it helps us all to remember the sacrifice and determination of a generation that lived in extraordinary times.

A Re-enactor’s War explores what inspires, moves and motivates re-enactors of all ages and backgrounds, and their close relationships with the veterans and people they seek to honour. Reminiscences of the Home Front from evacuation to the Blitz and beyond and new interviews with re-enactors are brought together to pay homage to a time that we must always remember. It was our nation’s darkest hour, but also a time when amidst the turmoil and upheaval, the British people fought back with their inimitable Home Front spirit that continues to inspire today.

• A tribute not only to the bravery of the war generation, but also to their camaraderie and their love of life.
• Illustrating the insight that re-enactors can provide into the lives of ordinary people is a valuable contribution to learning about how wars really affect and change society.
• Mixing previously unpublished original period images with a selection of stunning colour photographs depicting aspects of Second World War Home Front re-enactment.
• Recounting the characters, their individual stories, amazing experiences and their dedication to preserving the past.
• Detailing our Home Front history.
• Officially endorsed.

John Leete has been an avid World War II re-enactor for 22 years. A regular speaker about Britain’s Home Front, a consultant for TV and a Home Front tour guide, John is passionate about commemorating the experiences of the Second World War and preserving that history for future generations. He is also author of The New Forest at War, Hampshire at War and Under Fire (all, The History Press) and contributes to many history publications. He is presently researching several new titles as well as new projects for TV and Radio.

Available from all good bookshops, Amazon and The History Press. Direct sales – telephone 01235 465577 or www.thehistorypress.co.uk
For information about talks or interviews, please contact Kerry Green at The History Press on 01453 732 512. It is expected to be available in July.

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Crich Tramway Museum in the wet

Posted on April 9, 2012 by lowdhamstation

On the Saturday, we had another look at the brakes, and took the master cylinder off. And, yes, a tiny vent hole was completely blocked, which caused the brakes to bind. Now truly sorted, even though it took all evening to get them satisfactorily bled!

We took the K4 to the tramway museum after church on Easter Sunday. It was a steep run, and we got there fine, except for running out of petrol (twice). We arrived just as the parade started, and it was overcast but dry. Dan, James, Tim, Michael and I tried out a turntable ladder drill (based on the 1943 book, but modified to take account of the fact that this is a very manual ladder – almost nothing is power-assisted). On the Monday, we had Dan, James, Dave M, Michael, Rob and myself, but it is amazing how long it takes to get everyone organised when it is raining.

Despite the rain, we did three demonstrations each day, and a fairly good crowd each time. We ran them as training exercises, explaining to the crowd how and why we were doing everything. I started by explaining that we had some “common sense rules to prevent accidents”, and they were, basically, “don’t drop anything on your colleagues, don’t endanger the public, and don’t let the ladder fall over”, and I commented, that in 70 years time, this would probably be called a ‘risk assessment’!

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New uniforms acquired at Sheffield today

Posted on April 1, 2012 by lowdhamstation

Had a lovely time at the Sheffield Fire and Police Museum memorabilia sale today. The NFS re-enacting group in the South East (Heroes with Grimy Faces) had some surplus tunics, including three in large, with trousers. I also picked up some axes, belts, a couple of caps, and two lengths of 3-inch suction, with strainer and blank cap for the Beresford Stork. Oh yes, and two vehicle First Aid kits (they look like oversized gas mask bags), to complement the tin kits we have for the station. All in all, a very successful day.

Posted in Beresford Stork Light Trailer Pump, Re-enactor info | 2 Comments

1940s weekend at Crich Tramways Museum

Posted on March 26, 2012 by lowdhamstation

We are planning to take the K4 Turntable Ladder to Crich Tramway Museum 1940s weekend on Easter Sunday afternoon and all day Monday. At 31 miles, although not the furthest trip it has undertaken (that honour is taken by the Rauceby 1940s weekend in August), it will certainly be the most arduous, being hilly, twisty and narrow most of the way (the route to Rauceby is mostly flat and main road/dual carriageway). This will be a real test of the electronic ignition, which proved its value on the Chesterfield run.

No matter which way you approach Crich, you have to tackle the 500-foot rise from the River Amber, either up the sheer face of Bullbridge Hill, or just the extremely steep run via South Wingfield. Either way, I think we will attract quite a following!

We will not be taking a pump, so will be focussing on training new fireman recruits in hose drill and turntable ladder drill. We will be based at the Town End outside the façade of the old Derby Assembly Rooms. Putting the ladder up is about the most impressive thing we can do with a thin crew.

There is a map of the site here. You will find the Assembly rooms at number 7. Re-enactors: I have the entry passes.

So far, I am expecting Myself and Fran, Michael and Tim, Dan and James on both days, Rob and Dave Madden on Monday, Wendy and Ellie on one unspecified day.

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Austin K2 Maintenance – most rust problems repaired

Posted on March 25, 2012 by lowdhamstation

Had a busy few days at the farm. We have had the mobile welder in to sort the rot, and have then been round filling, sanding and painting. We are very nearly ready to start re-assembly. Just need to get a new sidelight, as one simply refused in a fight to the death to come off in one piece.

Yesterday, Alison and Hugh, from www.alisonandhughshandmadethings.co.uk came over again. This time Hugh fitted the remaining pieces of ash to the K4 crew cab and Alison measured up some more leatherwork. She also delivered the most beautiful leather strap with the original quick-release buckle to hold the emergency lowering-line into place. Alison helped with sanding the ladder from the K2 (which was caustic-dipped a few weeks ago). A sample of this has been given a coat of well-thinned varnish to see how it comes up, and if it is any easier to sand down after varnishing.

We also took the inspection cover off the side of the Dennis pump to find almost two inches depth of sludge – silt from pumping dirty river-water – inside the cylinder block – see photo.

Another job is to move the Fordson seat so it is cantral behind the steering wheel, rather than being offset about 4 inches to the right (which means that the driver is looking directly at the pillar!) We are hoping that a spare Goddess seat will fit, as that will give vertical adjustment as well.

Posted in Dennis No2 TA Trailer Pump, K2 ATV GLT676, K4 TL GXN215, Workshop and Restoration | Leave a comment

Austin K2 maintenance – rust in the windows frames and wings

Posted on March 11, 2012 by lowdhamstation

For some time now, we have been aware of rust round the window frames on the K2. They had been sealed shut by the previous owner, but rusty blisters have been appearing. We decided to bite the bullet, and get the frames out, knowing hat we have a couple of other frames in rather better condition. On removal, there was some (rare) good news – the recesses for the frames in the vehicle body were in very good condition, and we had one good frame, and two frames that were half-decent. So we cut the two half-decent frames in half, and spliced together the two decent halves to make another good frame.

Also, in the vehicle, we found hinges for both driver and passenger-side windows in situ, so we can restore both windows to be opening.

But there has to be some bad news, and that was that we also found blistering on the front wing. Some of the bolts holding it on needed persuading with an angle-grinder, but half an hour saw the wing removed. It had been plated before, (not very well) and the rust was appearing in the dirt-trap between the plate and the original panel. Luckily, the threee rotten areas are in simple, rather than complex curved areas (this means the plate can just be bent, rather than needing panel-beating), which is again good news.

The plan is to have this done by next weekend!

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Chesterfield 1940s event at the Winding Wheel

Posted on March 1, 2012 by lowdhamstation

We took the K4 TL to Chesterfield last weekend and parked outside the Museum on the Saturday morning. This followed an intense couple of weeks getting the vehicle ready, which included fitting the crew cab and electronic ignition, and a host of other minor jobs including electrics and lights, radiator hose, lots of painting, etc.

Outside the museum at Chesterfield

We set of hopefully, and with the new ignition, the engine performed much better than ever before, but the brakes were still binding, and by a mile down the road, the rear drums were too hot to touch. We relieved the pressure in the rear brake pipe, and adjusted the push-rod from the pedal to the master cylinder (shortened it by about 3mm) so that the piston would fully retract, and this made a great difference. [However, on the return run, we found that it is still not quite 100% correct].

Outside the museum at Chesterfield

We also had a solution to the problem of the ladder going up, but not coming down again (flouting the old rule, ‘what goes up…’). We had greased all the rollers that supported the ladder previously, and although that improved things a , it was still a problem at full extension and low elevations.

A talk with Neil Billings, a former Fire Brigade maintenance engineer, suggested that as the ladder is raised, it eventually passes the balance point, and rather than sitting on the lower rollers, the heel raises and is restrained by sliders, which hadn’t been cleaned or greased for decades. So that is what we did – with the ladder up in public. (It is well known that in the war, firemen did maintenance in their spare time, so there was nothing incongruous about a man in a vintage boiler suit climbing the ladder with an oil-can!)

It was completely successful – the ladder now goes up more smoothly, and comes down on its own, even with a (large) man at the top, fully extended and at minimum elevation (the worst case).

In the afternoon, John noticed that a pulley wheel that the wire rope passed round was not rotating, and was wearing the wheel away. So out came the tools again, and the pin and pulley were removed and taken home. In the evening, David made a new pin and cleaned up the pulley. These were successfully refitted on Sunday.

Overnight, we parked in the yard of Chesterfield Community Fire Station – many thanks to the Station Officer for granting permission for this – but the Sunday was a much quieter day as far as public were concerned. We did a few ladder demonstrations by the Tourist Info office, but had to stop at 2:30 due to a concert in the church, which would be disturbed by the engine revving and the bell ringing. We were parked next to the appliance from Mansfield Fire Museum.

All told, a very pleasant weekend, and a good ‘shake-down’ before the season gets under way.

 

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