The Whistle BlowerNewsletter of the Canberra Society of Model and Experimental Engineers

MAY 2018

President Peter Hateley 62547229 Secretary Greg Peters 0412 179899.Email: csmee@grapevine.com.au

Website: Editor: acttraffic@hotmail.comwww.canberramodelengineers.org.au

Herbert William

Garrett

Page 6

INSIDE THIS

MONTH

Third of the

series on the

Beyer-Garrett

MOLLY’S BACK

after a hot

summer

Page 3

SOLDIER ON!

President Peter Hateley

stands downPresident Peter Hateley has announced,

due to personal reasons, he will be unable

to continue as President until the next

annual general meeting. He made the

announcement at the general meeting on

19 April. A vote of thanks proposed to

acknowledge his contribution was met

with spontaneous applause and best

wishes for the future. He will remain a

Society member.

You might be forgiven for thinking this is an instruction to all Members as we

continue to develop CMR at Symonston. But you are wrong!

We have joined forces with Soldier On ACT. This organisation, only formed

in 2012, helps service personnel and their families build successful futures.

Their goal is to help build resilient individuals capable of developing and

expanding meaningful connection with family, community and employers.

And Community is where we come in. We now have an informal agreement

with Soldier On ACT offering their members the opportunity to exercise

their extensive skills and join with us to develop CMR.

In return, we are looking at having a special running day for Soldier On which

will be to our mutual financial benefit.

David Savage is an Ambassador for Soldier On and a 2015 finalist in the

ACT Australian of the Year awards welcomed the relationship. “Soldier On

encourages veterans to engage with the community, as social isolation, which

can often be a bi-product of trauma is debilitating.” He said, “Partnering with

community organisations such as CMR provides an outlet for veterans.

Veterans can re-engage with the community in a productive and supportive

environment, and also give something back. A win, win for everyone.

There will be a lot more about this story - as it develops - in the June issue of

Whistle Blower.

To learn more! www.facebook.com/SoldierOnAustralia/

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EXPOSED

Over 18s only

Page 5

Club News &

Reports

Page 2

MONEY MAN

Page 4

NEWS FROM THE APRIL COMMITTEE MEETING

Mick Richardson reported we had been offered a container rent free with no time limit by Royal Wolf Containers

subject to it being possible to be seen from the Monaro Highway. The Manager visited our site and location agreed.

Agreed.

Members should inform the Secretary of travel with regard to CSMEE or when taking trains to ensure they have

insurance cover.

Donation of heater for canteen from Wal Cameron.

Welfare Issues

John Oliver's wife, Phyl, has undergone a successful shoulder operation and is recovering well. We wish her all the

best for a full recovery. Cleve Gabriel, Society Treasurer had a fall and broke his femur on 19 April. He is in Canberra

Hospital also suffering from complications due to bone cancer. The Committee are in close touch with him and a

card has been sent on your behalf.

Party Bookings

At least five party bookings were booked for 29th April. Information given there may be 5 or 6.

Christmas Lights Extravaganza

It has been agreed Downunder Amusements be charged $2.00 per tag for the event train rides.

The Society is seeking

a suitable member to

approach Ian Hahn

with the idea, (photo

left) to water the party

area more efficiently.

Applications should

be addressed to The

Editor.

The indomitable Mike

Dickinson, cycle shed

recycler, epicure, welfare

officer, aficionado of

everything has recently

applied for a position

with Circus Oz. He is

s e en he re d r i v ing

himself round the bend

with no hands - another

talent few can replicate.

New Members

The Society is delighted to welcome the following new members approved at the meeting: Louise Goodwin, Mel

Gabriel, Paula Preo & Alissa Gabriel.

Association with SOLDIER ON motion passed:

“That the CSMEE combine with Soldier On (ACT) to initiate and develop a relationship for the mutual benefit of

both organisations.” A meeting has been arranged with Soldier On.

Other decisions:

For safety reasons, both to trains and people, the Committee banned dogs on public running days.

The Committee noted a concern expressed on the relationship between hobby vs commercial attitude at CMR. The

need not to lose the hobby side of the CMR and maintain focus on that side of the development of CMR was

affirmed.

The Committee noted the opinion we do not have a proper dress code on public running days. Discussions will

continue at a later date.

Members should be aware these notes are extracted from DRAFT minutes

Meeting EtiquetteBe prepared to listen to othersRespond constructively and courteously to views expressed - use the ‘yes and’ principleWork collaboratively to resolve problems - get out of your siloGive other respect and benefit of the doubtLook for ways to support and not competeShare information, knowledge, learningRecognise others interests / achievementsAccept responsibilityFocus on solutions

MOLLY’S

NEWSHi Everyone.I’m back! Just a moment while I retriever my Lab report!! Get it? The long hot summer was rather a pain with my coat holding too much heat and my nose at risk of sunburn so I had to stay home more. I have missed you all so much but will be back to supervise all the activity more over the next few months. I have to say that one particular member has been putting in a substantial effort recently and, with a donation of the best biscuits next to my kennel, I will name him here. A big shout out for Chris Gralellis. Fiction is stranger than truth so I will go for more ordinary news!

On my first day back I made a special visit to the track maintenance and construction building to inspect track for yard projects. The noise was almost unhealthy; both machinery and the expressions of annoyance made me don headphones to drown out the obscenities. I should have to put up with all the “well, I’ll be doggone, screw it down!, “far kennel it fits” and the like.

The following week I met Wyett Fitzgerald who was down helping get the paving for the seating by the canteen - or should I call it the Dining Car? He also wanted me to learn a few dance steps for his radical music tastes. I tried the jump step but could only get my back feet off the ground at one time. Later I went hunting for acorns but they are not very palatable and I don’t want to be seen barking up the wrong tree!

After that I went back to review progress on the track laying and found Trevor & Ivan continue their quest for a fully welded track extending 16 kilometres around Symonston! What a team!

Before I left, I checked the sign in book and I see some members are not logging in and out. For posterity you should put your name in the book and, pawsing for thought, more importantly for insurance sake put your name on the list when you arrive and depart - at the very “leashed”. This will stop the Secretary “hounding” you! Get it?

NEWS FROM THE APRIL GENERAL MEETINGPresident reported a list had been approved of outside events for the raised track. Four functions

operating over five days.

Malkara, Pegasus, Kaleen (2 days) and Cancer Convoy at Epic.

Due to estimation construction of unloading bays may not be completed in time, the Invitation Run

for September is cancelled.

Estimated cost of next extension to five inch track about $5000.00.

The Secretary reported:

The Secretary moved (seconded Richardson) we attend Pegasus Riding for the Disabled Fete in Holt

on 5th May. Construction of the track to take place on the same day. PASSED

An “invitation to attend” email would be sent out re the above and Members were strongly urged to

answer the email with acceptance of attendance. This would enable efficient rostering.

In answer to a question, the Secretary noted he felt there may be operational issues with Malkara in

the future. Access was becoming an issue, reduced advertising was affecting our income and the matter

may come up for review. A speaker from the floor noted more use of the raised track may impact on

Member s visiting other Clubs during the year. President noted the comment.

The motion from the Committee about running on Mother's day (our normal running day in May) be

made a “special event” and advertised as “Mothers ride for free” ( when accompanied by fare paying

passenger) was passed subject to confirmation from the general meeting. Passed

As a result of a question the introduction of a static engine display by the Canberra and District

Historical Engine Club on public running days was explained. The Club will be invited to display

engines.

Any other business

The state of the Society trailer used for moving the raised track was broached with issues with lighting

and other deficiencies.Secretary said the matter would go the committee.

Mark Hogan reported he had repaired all the connections on the fixed raised track and was in the

process of adding a 2 & ½ inch.

The matter of a dress code was brought up. The consensus appeared to be “neat and tidy”. Some

members favoured reflective clothing.

There is a display of two logos for the Society over the sign in book. If Members had any comments or

suggestions they should be communicated to Whistle Blower Editor or the Secretary.

BITS & PIECES

Greg Peters handed round an example of powder coating which he had tested on part of the side tanks

of Bunyip. Reasonably priced and a very good “look”.

The logos mentioned in the above report on items from the General Meeting

A visitor to CMR has requested assistance in building a Hornby OO R400 signal set for his model railway having been unable to complete the task. Any Member who thinks they can assist is asked to contact Ziggy Mosessen on 0419255440 or write to zigmoses@gmail.com

Mark Hogan’s team continue to turn us into a Society with 4 different running gauges!

Pegasus Open DaySATURDAY, 5 MAY from 10am.

The Pegasus Open Day is a great community day out for the whole family. A celebration of all things Pegasus, the Open Day is a chance for us to open our gates to the community and show off! Come out to the farm and learn about the life-changing horse-facilitated therapy Pegasus has provided to people living with a disability for over 40 years! Activities on the day include horse demonstrations and horse parades, music and entertainment, delicious food, fabulous stalls, tractor rides, and much more.Pegasus Farm,119 Drake Brockman Drive, Holt.P R O U D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y CANBERRA MINIATURE RAILWAY

ANNUAL DUES FOR CMR

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PAYING YOUR ANNUAL DUES EARLY? While our cash flow is reduced with changeover costs and large claims on our budget if Members paid their dues early we could almost fund the second loop on the five inch. This would leave income for other projects. Please consider!

TREASURERAs you may know, Cleve Gabriel, our treasurer, suffered a broken femur mid month and, as a result of complications due to cancer has had to undergo traumatic surgery and will need a lot of further treatment. The latest news is his operation was a SUCCESS and by the time you read this he will be out of ICU. He thanks all for his card, and for the support and friendship. His wife, Margaret , says he has new impetus, enthusiasm andf focus since joining CSMEE. (You just never know, do you! Ed.)

The last running day for April has just been completed and the first at CMR with parties booked. We had five parties and the word from a little birdie (well more of a bearded septuagenarian with a bad back!) is that we have made enough money to continue to finance the development of CMR! In fact a great turn out of guests and members and thanks from the Secretary has been circulated via your email. Photos below from Peter Skennerton - PicsXPeter

The latest news from RCH about Cleve is that he is awaiting a bed in a normal ward! On the road to recovery via Jerrabombera Avenue!!

Special Request from a Member of the Public

LATE NEWS

Financial Report bySociety Treasurer Cleve Gabriel

Again, members have been extremely busy with site work at CMR and running days. Our

soft opening went well, and we had a good return for the day. It was a learning experience

with our new arrangements for the ticket office. Having the tickets sales in the same area

as the canteen is an advantage as it allows customers to purchase food with our EFTPOS

facility.

Due to the heavy demand for tickets on the day we were able to use the two windows, one

for cash sale and the other for EFTPOS. We will look at some form of bench that can be

attached to the side window to provide a form of counter.

KENNY KOALAsaysHappy train rides butStay off the tracks kids!

CAUTIONThe next page contains nudity. Do not scroll or look if you might be offended.

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EDITORIALThe increase in modes of travel at CMR is now becoming evident. Below Ward Gainey brings another load of happy travellers back to the Station, Eric Hines potters around on his traction engine, George, and Mike Dickinson displays his delight at being able to run his 5 inch. Now we need to tell our public.

I have in the past pleased for all members who have Facebook to like us and comment on our page REGULARLY. I mostly see just the same few regular “likers”. Please like, comment, cut and paste to local friends and do anything that will advance our Society.

In the dead of morning with no spectators or prying eyes except for one cameraman who made it inside, Kel Broughton and Paul Gugger expose the private parts of Kel ’s new 7 1/4 loco. Encouraged out of her sleeping quarters her first gingerly wheel rotations got her an excursion around the track with a few modifications along the way. No full frontal photos were permitted but your photographer was allowed a close up of a change of fuse to the fan motor.

Pulling it apart was easy but when you have to out it back together...........

(A) you're adorable, (B) you're so beautiful, (C) you're a cutie full of charms, (D) you're a darling and (E) you're exciting! Sorry Perry Como, Your Friend Molly

Last of the long hot summers?

Paul Gugger likes a nice shapely rear end

Herbert GarrattFather of the Beyer-Garratt

By Garry ReynoldsPART THREE

Herbert Garratt’s career.

Herbert Garratt was educated at various private schools in London before beginning his engineeringcareer serving an apprenticeship from 1879-1882 at the North London Railway Bow Works. He then joined a company called Doxford which had a marine engineering works in Sunderland. To expand his career horizons and worldly experience, Herbert served as third engineer on several ships.

Garratt’s connection with locomotives was renewed in 1885 when Charles Douglas Fox offered him a brief post inspecting a growing fleet of locomotives being built for the Central Argentine Railway by a company called Neilson in Glasgow. Being an avid inventor, it was also the year he took out the first of several patents during his career.

Herbert’s occupation of this position with Mr Fox did not last for long before he moved on to work for A. M. Rendell, an inspector of railway material, until early 1889. Then Garratt changed jobs again to spend a few months on the London and South-Western Railway, in conjunction with the Vacuum Brake Company.

These brief stints quickly widened Herbert’s perspectives but offered little security. However, he was rapidly becoming an all-rounder, gaining a wide knowledge of locomotive design, as well as practicalexperience in the construction and maintenance of steam engines. Seeking even more new engineering challenges, Herbert Garratt moved to South America to join the Argentine Central Railway in 1889. Here he eventually became Locomotive Superintendent in 1892.

This gave him a great insight into operating railways in difficult terrain and social and economic conditions.This was a volatile era in a volatile continent. Herbert often found himself as the meat in the sandwich between the workers and management amidst frequent strikes. In 1896, he managed to keep his steam locomotives running during a strike of drivers, even though it meant wearing a pair of revolvers on hip holsters for protection.

Herbert had to be tough. The hours were long and the pressure of work immense under trying conditions. It was not until he had been in the Argentine for an arduous eight years, that he was at last granted leave to spend some time back in England in 1897.

While Herbert was back in his homeland, his South American rail company management asked him to inspect some locomotives being built for it in England and extended his leave. However, Garratt decided to seize the opportunity of returning to the Argentine on a ship on which his younger brother was engineer. This delayed his return past the extended leave period. Herbert had overreached. Arriving back late, a new General Manager dismissed him, even though he recognised that Garratt had done a fine job in trying circumstances.

Herbert Garratt’s life drifted for a while but in 1899, he secured a job as Locomotive Superintendent with the Cuban Central Railways. Refreshed after an enforced break of unemployment from so many years of hard work, Herbert leapt into reorganising the workshops at Concha. In the process, he became very popular with the men. But just as everything appeared to be going smoothly, the railway management ordered him to place a young fellow, straight from serving an apprenticeship in England, as Second Foreman in the Concha shops. In the process, the Company blatantly demoted the competent Spaniard holding the post. Garratt protested vigorously until his own positionbecame untenable. He accepted a financial settlement and resigned.

Ironically, the new rail shop appointee proved a failure in Cuba, and returned to England. He was dismissed a second time after proving equally useless on the Algeciras Railway but Garratt was long gone from Concha.

Between 1900 and 1906 Herbert moved about a lot, working for railways in Cuba, Lagos, and Lima. In each case, though, Garratt showed an ability to bring order out of chaos. He also showed strong moral courage, standing up to authority, discrimination and rule of the mob often to the detriment of his own employment and health which suffered from oppressive climates for the Englishman and his workaholic attitude.

Still Herbert’s extensive Curriculum Vitae showed that he had the runs on the board and very wide experience. Through such diverse roles and operating conditions, Garratt knew the industry inside out. After another enforced sojourn of unemployment, Herbert Garratt was on the move yet again. In 1902, he signed a one-year contract with the Lagos Government Railway. On arriving he wondered what he was in for – it was a in a state of total chaos. Services were being slashed and his position appeared tenuous, with the operation facing imminent closure.

However, with all that experience under his belt, within seven weeks Garratt had rescued the operation. He returned the Railway to providing a full train service and was preparing for some new engines to arrive from England. When the locomotives reached Lagos, Garratt supervised their erection, with one being finished in the record time of 32 working hours. He also reorganised the once haphazard Locomotive Department, resulting in operating expenses being slashed.

However, all this hyper activity and stress took its toll. Herbert became seriously ill and was forced to return to England. During this downtime, Garratt was elected to membership of the British Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

After taking over a year to recover, Herbert’s increasingly frail body still did not stop him venturingoverseas again to join Peru’s Lima Railways in 1904. Here he took up the position of Resident Engineer and Locomotive Superintendent. At times, it is unclear whether Garratt either sought out challenging positions; did not undertake due diligence on vacancies on offer; or could only secure tenuous appointments overseas. In any case, the position at Lima Railways did not last long as the steam operation was taken over and electrified.

Herbert’s services were no longer required. However, in appreciation of his commitment, Lima Railways issued him with a first-class ticket back to Britain.

When Herbert returned to England in 1906, he worked as an inspecting engineer for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR). Obviously, his wide experience with lightly laid track, sharp curves and steep gradients would come in handy. During this period, while Garratt made his breakthroughs with articulation, it wasn’t by his sole efforts. Nevertheless, being an accomplished artist helped him present broad initial concepts for others to work on.

He had already formed a very good working relationship with the staff at the Beyer-Peacock Locomotive Works at Gorton, Manchester. While working for the NSWGR, he frequently visited the Works to inspect the P and T class locomotives (later the 32 and 50 classes) then under construction for the NSW Government Railways.

People usually don’t just invent things for the sake of it, especially in commerce – it is to meet a need or a new opportunity. During this period, Garratt focused on railway bogies but not for passenger and freight purposes but military use. He invented a bogie which could support largemilitary pieces which could be rapidly transported by rail into key strategic positions to attack or repel and enemy. However, commercial opportunities arose which directed his attention to civilian uses combined with articulation. Still, it was after inspecting rail-mounted artillery for the NSW Government that Herbert visited Beyer-Peacock to discuss a method of mounting heavy artillery on railway bogies.

Meanwhile, the Design Office at Gorton had been acutely aware of the demand for articulated locomotives for quite a while but lacked the ‘killer’ design to capture the unmet demand in the market. Beyer-Peacock had already been ‘singed’ by expending resources on a dead-end design in one brief venture when it had looked at designs for the British backed Inter-Ocean Railway in Mexico in the 1880s. Then, just as the Tasmanian Government Railways and the NSWGR were looking at Mallet and Fairlie articulated designs, Herbert Garratt came on the scene through his NSWGR connection backed by all that experience in South America, Africa and Cuba. Here was the right man in the right place at the right time.

However, when Garratt first came to Beyer-Peacock to focus on an articulated locomotive he had only the barest of an idea, really just a rough sketch. Essentially, he had observed a long bogie wagon transit over reverse curves in a railway yard and wondered whether a locomotive could be built on the same principle.

There was a long way between the sketch and the detailed design, and some teething problems with the ground-breaking purchase in Tasmania of the two K class Garratt locomotives constructed by Beyer-Peacock. However, these were expected with a brand-new design concept and the Tasmanian Government Railways permanent way staff were a lot happier as the Garratts had a much lighter impact on the rails than their then largest operating locomotive.

More Garratts were ordered and the originals worked right through until 1930 when the line was closed. In the end, the two 3-foot 6-inch gauge classes of Garratts purchased by the TGR were outstanding engines that made railway managers around the world sit up and take notice.

Meanwhile, the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) ordered six Garratts for its 3-foot 6-inch narrow gauge lines to work over a section with 1 in 22 gradients and 328 feet radius curves.They were so successful that seven more, this time superheated, were soon ordered. The locomotives’ reputation grew, such that seventeen years later, the WAGR built ten more Garratts in its own workshops. Even so, all of the first batch of six Gorton-built Garratts operated through to 1947, with the last of them not being withdrawn until 1955. They had remarkably long hardworking lives through two world wars.

Meanwhile in Tasmania, the TGR was not to be left behind as it ordered two more Garratt types from Beyer-Peacock in 1912. One of them produced 60% more power than the largest conventional type of goods locomotive in the system. This was the period when the M class Garratts were acquired in Tasmania. Canberra Railway Museum had a slight link because the speedometer in 6029 City of Canberra came from this Tasmanian class as the original AD60 Class Garratts were not fitted with them.

The Tasmanian M-Class were the first Garratts purchased for main-line passenger service in the world. The bold move was spurred by the success of the goods operations with the Beyer-Peacock articulated locos and the acquisition of corridor carriages for express trains in Tasmania. Effectively,this doubled the weight of cars to be hauled under tight restrictions of maximum axle load on the light tracks.

The new engines performed extraordinarily well, setting speed records on the narrow gauge reaching up to nearly 90kph (although capable of 100kph) and handling the tight curves with great stability. The M’s were fitted with four cylinders on each engine unit, making them the only eight cylinder Garratts ever built in the world. Initially, they demonstrated that a Garratt could be used on express passenger trains and not just for heavy goods operations on light railways, however, and despite their haulage abilities and speed,they proved difficult to maintain and were withdrawn after the arrival of the R class ‘Pacifics’ in 1924.

At least in the short run, Herbert Garratt saw the Garratts’ reputation established just prior to his death in 1913. He was only 49. A pair of Garratts pass at Thompson Junction in Africa and a poster

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INSURANCE

Members are reminded that insurance cover for attendance at events at other clubs and activities – not part of the

regular CSMEE program (including special activities approved by the Committee) is subject to each member

involved notifying the Secretary beforehand. The secretary can be contacted by email at csmee@grapevine.com.au.

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The CMR was host to the annual meeting of the F100 Club in April and some of the best lined up for p h o t o g r a p h e r Te r r y Cunningham to take this memorable shot with Trevor Knights and John Crocker bringing Sante Fe and AN1 home.

Below, Mark Hogan nears completion of his project to replace all connections on the raised track. An avid 2inch fan, he hopes to fit that size with a common rail in future.