HBMES

I have recently been handed a large stack of Model Torque newsletters dating from August 1978 (the 1st ever edition of our Club Newsletter) now i will take interesting (and funny) snippets from each year and try to fill in our history. thanks to Graham Leabourn for these copies. and i hope those of you who have been involved in any way with the club will enjoy this venture back in time,this will be a work in progress so bear with me as it will take some time to complete, keep checking back for progress.
if anyone has photos or history they could help with before these newsletters, please feel free to email me( kuma673@xtra.co.nz) or post (H Bates, 14 Cottrell Cres, Napier),whatever you have would be appreciated

The following photos are of the original track at Westshore.

The Westshore track was built in and opened in December 1961 by the Westshore Development Association, and the first engine used on this track was the "Maid of Kent" built by Tom Frater and Bob Finlay

The Story of the "Maid Of Kent" (& the Westshore track)

By Bob Finlay

Before we had a model engineering club, in August 1960, Tom Frater and myself were approached by the president of the Westshore Development Association (wda) with the idea of us constructing a locomotive for their proposed railway at Westshore beach, which was to be an attraction for visitors.
we agreed to this on the understanding that we could use the track for our own locos when they were not using it.
The"maid" was bought from some person unknown and had the main frames and tender frames and wheels completed. So we got started on the loco while the WDA built the track.
The "Maid" would prove to be a source of many troubles and the first was not long in showing up. the crank pin centres, although drilled to the drawing were 1/8" out, although the pattern for the crank bosses had been corrected.
As it is a bit difficult to move a hole half a hole distant, we had no option but to get new wheels cast. This held things up for a while, but we eventually got the castings and they were machined and fitted.
Work proceeded alright for a time until the valve gear was nearly completed. At this time there were several letters in the "model Engineer" magazine from builders of the "maid" having a great deal of trouble with the valve gear. When ours was completed, it fitted the magazine description with a terrible lot of link slip in forward gear.
The engine was designed by LBSC who would never admit that there was a fault in the design.
To improve things as much as possible, the forward running link was changed to reverse and a lever fitted in the reach rod to change the reverse position to forward. The engine ran alright like this and did so for a number of years until K N Harris designed a whole new valve gear which is what is on the engine now.

So the track opening day in December 1961 loomed up with the engine finished, but very little time for testing.
Bill Francis of the WDA was to be the full time driver of the "maid". He was supposed to have some experience as a driver of sugar cane field engines and in the week before the opening had a few practice runs, till on the Friday he wrapped up the valve gear. What he was doing we still don't know, but as the opening was set for the following day and the local MP, the Mayor and some Councillers were invited, some quick work dismantling the engine and resetting the valves was called for. This was completed on Saturday morning and the official opening was a huge success.
At some time not long after this, the pump casting broke, but this was not a serious problem and was soon welded up again. After the first running season our club supplied the drivers and did the maintenance so the engine gave good service until 1978 when the boiler failed. This was replaced by a new boiler built by Graham Leabourn and Ross Nicholls.
In 1984-85 Graham rebored the cylinders and fitted piston rings...

As readers of our newsletter will know, the "Maid of kent" blew her boiler again in 2007 and is in the process of having a new one built.

1978

Members List 78-79

HBMES is running every Sunday from October to April at the Westshore track, 200metres, connected by a traverser to steaming bay and engine shed.
President at this time is Peter Stevens
secretary, Mike Latter
vice president and editor, Graham Leabourn.

Meetings are held 4th Thursday of each Month at the society's clubrooms at the old Clive Railway Station

BobFinlay has just completed his 4th loco model, a Wab in 2 1/2"gauge as a companion to his JA and KA models,
Bruce Fordyce is working on his 3 1/2" JA
Graham Leabourn has almost finished his 1 1/2" Alchin traction engine after a break of nearly 3 years and hopes to have it in steam by xmas.
Ross Williams is building a "Minnie"
And Alex Barker is well into building a 5"gauge "Stirling Single"

(i will try to track down some photos of these engines)

P Stevens
Bob Finlay
Mike Latter
Graham Leabourn
Bruce Fordyce
T Fletcher
F Dennison
Ross Nicholls
Alex(Lex)Barker
Rick Melhuish
R Wilkinson
J Craig
P McBride
E Evans
C Martin
J Frazer
R Swales
C Draper
Andrew Macky

1979

January's newsletter reports on the need to complete the "Maid of Kents" boiler rebuild, the briggs and stratton "diesel" which masquerades under the guise of an NZR shunter does its fair share of hauling passengers with help from Bob Finlays 5" "Virginia"
Aprils AGM saw a new committee elected, this being;
President and editor, Graham Leabourn
Secretary, Peter Stevens
Vice President, Ross Nicholls
it was also recommended and approved that the subscriptions remain at $2.00 per year.

in July the club agreed to undertake the construction of a working scale model of the massive "waterwide'' mobile irrigation systems that are being manufactured and marketed by club member "Mike Latters" napier based company, this will be 1/50 full size (about 10'-0' long.
This was completed shortly before the annual show at Tomoana and was set up on its 15x15 foot "paddock" inching its way forward at scale speed spraying water all over the place as it went,(must have been great to see)

Another task undertaken this year was the restoration of a 7 1/4" gauge model locomotive "Janella" for Mrs Sheryl Jennings of the Duart childrens museum, Havelock North.
little was known about the history of the loco axcept that it was aquired in Britain by Mr Dave Jennings for the childrens museum, it and a large collection of toys was placed in storage for several years and eventually shipped to NZ.during the time it was in storage some of the cases were opened and many of the toys were stolen, this was not discovered until the cases were opened in Havelock North a few months ago. the shock of finding that much of his treasure had been lost and the loco damaged,probably caused the heart attack that led to Mr Jennings death a day or so later..
all missing parts have been replaced, damaged parts repaired and the boiler pressure tested. reassembled and repainted in British GWR colours by several society members, it was completed in time to be returned to Mrs Jennings on Christmas eve.
this model is on display in the Duart childrens museum
( it will be interesting to see if it is still there )

1980

Subscriptions this year increased to $4.00 per year.
fares increased to 20cents for 2 rounds of the track.
Aprils AGM was nearly a disaster , after meeting closed and members were enjoying a cuppa and chin wag, smoke began billowing under the door,timber that had been stacked against a light fitting had caught fire. luckily it was caught early otherwise the whole clubroom could have been lost.
Sunday May 18th saw John Morton from New Plymouth visiting the track with his 2-8-0 "sir nigel gresley" 5" gauge engine.

New members 1980

Mr Owen Cleverton.
John Bailey
John Dunne
Allan McKenzie
M Harding
Alan Skittrup

1981

This year saw the club constructing a model of a factory to show the process of constructing gang nail trusses, as used by the building industry. This work was done for A.R Turner Ltd of Napier. it entails the construction of a model approx 1.200x.750 showing the layout of a truss factory and is complete with machines, transfer conveyers, truss assembly jigs etc, all to a scale 1/25 taking 6 men over 100 hours labour, this is being sent to Singapore to be viewed first off then will travel all over the place.
committee this year is:
President and Editor, Graham Leabourn
Secretary, Jack Craig
Vice President, Ross Nicholls

1982

New Members 1982

January sees HBMES raise $86.00 for the Rotary Clubs Beach Carnival Day.

April AGM, committee shuffle:
president, Ross Nicholls
Secretary, Jack Craig
Vice pres, Graham Leabourn

In August members of the society attended the NZ model engineer exhibition in New Plymouth taking Ross Nicholls 1" scale "minnie", Bob Finlays 2 1/2" gauge WAB, Graham Leabourns 1 1/2"scale Allchin and a collection of the society's stationary engines.

Ross Old
Tony Millar
Bob Jackson
Norm Bouttell

1983

New member 1983

January and the "maid of kent" is finally back on the track after many years awaiting repairs.
The Rotary Club Beach Carnival day saw 468 passengers on the track, all proceeds went to Rotary club, making HBMES the centre of attention in the local newspaper (photo to come)

6 members of the society undertook the task of building a 150'0" long portable track, while other members made the tie bolts, sleepers etc. this will be first used on 19th March at Karamu High gala.
Bruce Fordyce designs HBMES club badge.
New steaming bays built at track site

Mark Stack

1984

10th-11th march
HBMES has its first "mini convention"
with visitors from New Plymouth, these being Paul and Lysa De Rungs, Gerry Gerrard with his mounteneer, Stan Wolf with 4-8-4 Pamela and Dave Wishnowsky with 4-4-4 Brazilian loco and Shay.
Also visiting were Ron Walker from Palmerston North with his 3 1/2" gauge Duchess and Jim Clake from Wanganui with his Torquay Manor.
from hbmes were Bob Finlays "K", the "maid of kent" and Grahams 1 1/2"scale "allchin" traction engine and Bruce Fordyce's 3 1/2"gauge NZR "J" No1267 making it's debut on the track.
Aprils AGM saw subscriptions raised to $5.00
June.. Bob Finlay fires up his latest masterpiece "Gyrena" an 0-4-0 chain drive "sentinal" type shunter in 5"gauge..
late November there was a spate of trouble with the track shed being broken into and then the clubhouse at Clive, nothing was taken in either case, but at the clubhouse, windows were broken and fires were lit inside.

New Member 1984

Bill Harman

1985

Track charges are raised to 40 cents per ride.
Graham Leabourn has been transferred to Hamilton for a few months so the task of "acting editor" has been taken on by Peter Stevens.
9th & 10th March we held an "open Weekend" with visitors from other society's and their loco's attending, these being, Jim Clarke from Wanganui, John Moron with his "Nigel Gresley", also on the track from HBMES was the "maid of kent", Grahams traction engine, Bob Finlays 2 1/2" K and Bruce Fordyce's 3 1/2" JA.
Napier City Council donated $800 for a new roof for the station at Westshore track.
Ross Nicholls, Graham Leabourn, Bruce Fordyce, John Dunne and Stephen Nicholls attend the opening of the Wanganui Model and Experimental Engineering Society track on 30th March.
April AGM see's a new committee
President Bob Finlay
Secretary Mark Stack
Editor Peter Stevens

1986

Bob Finlay resigned as President in February,
Snap election sees elected comittee;
President Graham Leabourn
Vice pres Ross Nicholls
Secretary Mark Stack
Editor Peter Stevens

HBMES takes part for the first time in the Teddy Bears Picnic raising $105.00 for the NZ Arthritis foundation with 3 1/2 hours running on the portable track.
Normal Sunday running days are making about $15.00 per day, although Graham had a pretty exciting day earning $23.20 (58 rides)

1987

Members of HBMES attend Palmerston North open weekend, these being Ross Nicholls with Juliet, Bill Harmon with Cyrena and Bruce Fordyce with JA1267. The "Maid of Kent" was running there for 2 hours before she packed a hissy fit and now needs another overhaul.
April AGM elected committee:
President: Graham Leabourn
Vice Pres : Alex Barker
Secretary : Mark Stack
Editor : Peter Stevens
Boiler committee: Graham Leabourn, Ross Nicholls
Subscriptions $5.00 per year.

4th October, HBMES runs portable track at Anderson Park raising over $100.00 for the Arthritis Foundation, during which Graham has a ride in the Jet ranger helicopter (which he insists looped and broke the sound barrier) it was in fact only a few "mild turns" and a sedate return to the ground.

New Member 1987

Paul Carpenter

1988

17th January was the Annual Westshore Beach Day and a very busy day raising over $100.00 on the track.
The portable track was used 21st February at the Port Open Day raising a reasonable amount in support of the Polio Plus Campaign.
5th & 6th March, members of HBMES attended Palmerston North Open Weekend.
7th May, Graham Leabourn attended the opening of Hamilton Society of Model Engineers track.

again we took part in the Annual Teddy Bears Picnic raising $90.00 for the Arthritis Foundation..

New Members 1988

Jan Raudon
Ron Barrett

1989

Maid of Kent is running most weekends, but does have a few issues with the blower and water gauge glass,
Portable track is used at "Safeways" 3rd birthday gala and Tamatea promotion day and the usual Teddy Bears Picnic.
We have been gifted the partially completed chassis for a 3 1/2 " gauge Juliet, built by Laurie Cook.
We welcome Jason Scott and his 3 1/2" NZR DX loco

New Member 1989

Jason Scott

1990

International Steam Expo at Manakau was attended by Bruce Fordyce with J1267, Bill and John Harmon with Speedy and Dave Osborne with his Evening star.

April AGM Elected Committee.
President; Norm Bouttell
Vice Pres ; Lex Barker
Secretary ; Jason Scott
Editor ; Peter Stevens.

Vandals strike again, destroying both back and front doors of clubhouse. the only thing confirmed missing is a picture of NZR J1267.
the Maid is Kent is once agin being stripped down for boiler repairs,

New Member 1990

Bruce Robertson

1991- 1992

New Members 1992

Graham Leabourn is once again venturing overseas for a spell. Off to Russia to a meat processing plant.
Jason Scott begins building a 5"gauge model of an NZR DSB 0-6-9 shunter for the club.
Subscriptions are raised to $10.00 per year.
Once again HBMES assists in the Teddy bears picnic on the portable track and hauled 433 passengers
The Maid of Kent returns (again)
Bad weather sees very little track running in 1992

Mike Betts
Warwick Vaughan

1993

HBMES purchases a new portable track.
The sea is starting to "bite" further into the beach at Westshore tracksite.
Council are starting to talk about possibly moving the Westshore track.
1 of the founding members Bob Finlay is elected for honourary life membership.
July: Peter Stevens (editor) passes away and Warwick Vaughan steps up to take on his editorial duties.

1994

April, "Westshore track may be on the move"
the sea has now claimed the road between the beach and the track, Council are talking about filling the area.
August
Newspaper reports that approval has been given to a shift to Anderson Park (they forgot to advise the club)
Plans are being made to have a "final run" at Westshore.
September
A letter has finally arrived from the council with official permission to build our new track at Anderson Park.
(Notice of closure)
the Westshore railway will be closed to all traffic at the end of October 1994.
24th September "The last official run '
Running were Graham Leabourn with "juliet", the club loco "Westshore", Jason Scott with DA and of course the Maid of Kent.

The Westshore track is lifted in November and put into storage,
the old coach (clubrooms) are stripped out ready to be moved to its new home.

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