Although it's now too late to send more pictures, lots can still be accepted on the day (Sat 7th Feb) between 11am and 1pm.

Looking forward to seeing a good turn out of members at Liphook, and non-members welcome as well.

For details of the auction, refer to emails previously sent with the full rules, or you can find them here ... https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/news

Set 9 (blue/yellow/zinc) in wooden box with many extra parts

Vertical Steam Engine built by the late Mike Dennis

If anyone wishes to send more pictures of tempting lots, there's still time!  I shall share them, so long as you get them to me by lunchtime on Thursday (eg by replying to his email)

I've also made sure that both the models built by Terry Bullingham are visible this time (one was messed up in the previous email), and tried to improve some phrasing that wasn't clear first time around

So far there are only a few pre-arranged lots (seven pictured below), so we are relying on members to bring plenty of attractive Meccano items to sell in the auction.

Please note practicalities of this auction as follows

• Auction cashier (Robin Schoolar) can only accept lots between 11am and 1pm.
• Payment in cash preferred, cheques accepted.  Electronic payment will not be possible.  (There is a cash dispenser across the car park outside Sainsburys)
• To keep the auction manageable, there is limit of three lots per member for lots which are not notified in advance.
• We'd like to encourage members to provide photographs of lots to be sent out in advance, if you provide one photograph of each lot by lunchtime Thu 5th Feb, we will accept four lots from you.
• Note that lots where all proceeds go to RMG funds will not be counted towards the above limits.
• At RMG Auctioneer's discretion, the above limits may be relaxed, but this decision will only be made after 1pm
• RMG auctioneer will be encouraging brisk bidding.  Anyone who is slow deciding to bid, or who doesn't call out their bid loudly and clearly, is at risk of missing out.
• Sellers may set a reserve price, but the 10% fee for this must be paid in exact cash to the Auction Cashier when the lot is accepted for auction.  If lot doesn't sell, fee will be retained for RMG funds.  If lots sells, seller will be refunded the fee and receive the proceeds with the usual 10% commission deducted.  So a reserve of £50 would need £5 initial fee.  If this lot sells for £70, seller will have the £5 refunded plus receive £63 (ie 90% of proceeds), leaving the usual £7 commission for RMG funds. 
• Before any lots can be removed at end of auction, buyers must pay their dues to the Auction Cashier.  Cash preferred, but cheques can be accepted.
• Before sellers visit the Auction Cashier for their proceeds, they should wait until the majority of buyers have paid their dues.  (This reduces likelihood of a cash flow crisis) 

Timetable for the Day

10:30 Doors open for setting up tables, mains leads and table covers.  Extra hands welcome for set up.  Please do NOT bring in models or auction lots until all tables have been set up and covered.

11:00 Auction lots and models may be brought in

13:00 No further auction lots can be accepted (unless deadline is extended, entirely at discretion of RMG Auctioneer)

14:15 Business meeting followed immediately by Auction

Extra hands always appreciated with putting away and tidying 

17:00 Hall must be cleared, everyone should be on their way, and hall to be locked

Six Drawer Cabinet

Clock Kit 1

Marks & Spencer Classic Red & Green Set 0530

Medium Red/Green Set 7

Mission the Universe Space Xplorer Set

Auction of two models built by the late Terry Bullingham 

Sadly Terry Bullingham passed away a few months ago.  Terry and his superb models will be much missed, all the more so because Terry did not let the complete loss of his sight stop him from building models to the highest possible standards and accuracy.

His widow Maria has decided on RMG Auction as the best way to pass two of Terry's models to appreciative new owners.

Terry's Railway Steam Crane

Terry's 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive

For this Magazine, the approach to buying postage has changed slightly again, mainly to make things a bit quicker and simpler for myself.  Again it would be helpful and informative if members could kindly let me know when their magazine arrives (eg by replying to this email).

If you believe you are a paid up UK member, and your magazine still hasn't arrived by 6th December, please let me know (eg by replying to this email).  Please provide your postal address as an important cross check when I'm trying to put things right.

For paid up overseas members, I'd advise allowing another week, maybe even a little longer for those beyond Europe.

Anyone receiving the Autumn 2025 Magazine can take its arrival as confirmation that they are paid up for the fresh (2025-26) membership year, which means you are also due to receive Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 magazines before renewals will be upon us once more.

The half dozen who have not yet renewed will find that rather than receiving the magazine, their slim envelope will contain a friendly reminder, setting out the ways to renew membership, illustrating what they are missing.

Details of how to renew can also be found here:
https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/shop/sections/membership/products/runnymede-meccano-guild-annual-membership 

Of course, anyone receiving this message who is not already a member, would be most welcome to use the above link to join and receive magazines on a regular basis.

If you're unsure whether or not you are fully paid up for the fresh 2025-26 membership year, simply check with me by replying to this email.

Keep making the most of your Meccano

Regards    Robin Schoolar

(Treasurer and Membership Secretary, Runnymede Meccano Guild)

Plus a special thank-you to Maria Plicio for again co-ordinating refreshments.

Thanks to everyone who has already renewed membership, either in person at Liphook or by sending payment.

For the couple of dozen who have yet to renew, please note that the next three magazines will be sent ONLY to paid up members.

Anyone unsure whether you have renewed should check with me (eg by replying to this email).

Renewal by cheque costs £35(UK) / £45(Europe) / £50(Rest of World)
Cheques payable to "Runnymede Meccano Guild" should be sent to
    Robin Schoolar
    11 Cranleigh Road
    London SW19 3LX

To renew by card or by PayPal, visit RMG website here ... https://rmguild.org.uk/shop/sections/membership
(Note that website automatically adds an extra £1, to help with processing fees)

For renewal (avoiding the £1 mark-up) by electronic (BACS) transfer direct to RMG bank account - UK currency only - let me know (eg by replying to this email) and I'll provide account details

Finally if anyone promised editor Craig something for the next magazine, the sooner material reaches him, the more quickly the magazine can be produced 

While on the subject of volunteers, the AGM means RMG officers are due to be voted in.  Although an acting committee is currently in place, if anyone else would like to volunteer for one of the roles, it would be great to have some alternatives once we reach the vote, so anyone would be welcome to volunteer and be nominated on the day.

If anyone has ideas that may extend beyond what RMG currently does, please volunteer and the committee would welcome you aboard as an additional member.

The acting committee, who are willing to continue (if they have to) are ... 
Editor: Craig Longhurst
Publications Officer: Pete Wood
Treasurer: Robin Schoolar
Membership Secretary: Robin Schoolar

Nick Rodgers will continue as President, because that role remains his indefinitely, unless he (or fate) decides differently.

As usual the October meeting will also include the award of the Bill Roberts Memorial Trophy, decided from a vote by paid up members present on the day.  Collect your voting slip from Robin, who may also encourage you to be sure you have renewed your membership.  (£35 in cash or by cheque) 

As advised in earlier mass email, as bonus feature to complement Runnymede AGM at Liphook this Saturday, Murray Russell is co-ordinating a Grand Railway Extravaganza.

One of the island table blocks will be set aside for Murray's large oval of Gauge OO track (20x8 feet), where anyone can bring their own trains and run them, taking turns with Murray's own Transcontinental Streamliner.

There is still space to spare on this island block, an ideal opportunity for others to bring Gauge O, Gauge 1 or G-Scale track, plus trains to run on them.

If you have anything suitable, please try to let us know beforehand (eg by replying to this email), so we can plan how best to accommodate everybody.

Track of other gauges doesn't necessarily have to be a large oval ... whatever track you can offer, we'll find a way to use it advantageously. 

Meccano models and historical displays are as welcome as ever, but there may be slightly less table space for them.  However with a bit of give and take, we'll find space everyone bringing something to show.

However anyone whose display needs more than one table, should reply to this message giving details so we can do our best to fit you in.

For this Magazine, I've used a different approach to buying postage, which I hope will work at least as well as the old way.  However this time around, it would help me judge how well postal systems are working if members could kindly let me know when their magazine arrives (eg by replying to this email).

If you believe you are a paid up UK member, and your magazine still hasn't arrived by 29th September, please let me know (eg by replying to this email), preferably including your postal address in the message.  For overseas members, I'd advise allowing another week (ie until 6th October).

Anyone receiving the Summer 2025 Magazine can take its arrival as confirmation that they are paid up for the current (2024-25) membership year ... but it also means we hope they will want to renew for the coming year!

The Autumn 2025 magazine will be sent only to those who renew for the coming 2025-26 membership year.  Included with each Magazine that is now in the post, is a Renewal Reminder sheet detailing all the ways to pay.  If you are planning to attend the next Liphook meeting on October 4th, the simplest and friendliest way to renew is to pay in cash or by cheque at the meeting.

Note that rising costs and dwindling reserves made it necessary to increase cost of RMG Membership (eg for the UK from £30 to £35 per year).  Anyone who has set up a Standing Order (or other regular payment) must remember to adjust its amount.

Another way to renew (or join as a new member) is via the RMG website:  https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/shop/sections/membership/products/runnymede-meccano-guild-annual-membership

Website prices are £1 higher than other ways of renewing / joining, reflecting fees levied for handling Credit Card or PayPal payments.

This email is sent to everyone who is subscribed for updates from the RMG website, regardless of whether they have paid their annual membership.  (I don't have a reliable way to restrict messages to those who have paid, while excluding those who haven't.)  So quite a lot of those seeing this email won't have paid and shouldn't be expecting a magazine.

If you're unsure whether or not you paid for 2024-25 (or you're thinking of joining), just check with me by replying to this email.

Keep enjoying your Meccano

Regards    Robin Schoolar

(Treasurer and Membership Secretary, Runnymede Meccano Guild)

Murray Russell has offered to set up a large oval of OO gauge track spanning ten tables and will be running his very long vintage Tri-ang Transcontinental Streamliner for the interest and amusement of the members.

Furthermore, Martin Clark will bring his tramway system (built by the late Michael Edwards) and set it up alongside the oval at its full length of 18 feet.  This will be the first time the three tramcars and their ingenious control system have been demonstrated at an RMG meeting.

Murray will also bring his other rolling stock, and invites anyone who wants, to have a go at driving it themselves.  Younger members in particular can try their hand at making up a goods train in the sidings.

If any other members also have a train set, they will be more than welcome to bring it along if they want to show it off and see it running on a really long circuit.

Also, we expect there will be space on the tables to set up more track, and invite members to bring theirs along too.  Especially if you happen to have O gauge, 1 Gauge or third rail track and models, which we will be delighted to see.  More especially if they are built in Meccano!

Technical Information

Murray's OO gauge oval will be 20 feet long by 8 feet wide, with a total circuit of 52 feet,  and includes a passing loop and sidings.  Track is Peco Streamline fine scale with insulated points.  Any modern locos should run on it, but older models with chunky wheels might have trouble due to the deeper flanges running over the sleepers and lifting the treads off the rails, so losing contact.  We will try it and see.

Power supply is 12v DC, and the controller can drive three locos coupled together. Only one train can run at a time, while another waits in the loop.  This makes changeovers more interesting.

If your loco is DCC, you will have to bring your own controller as well.  The same if you bring your own track.

Offers to bring additional railway items or queries should be emailed to Robin Schoolar (for example by simply replying to this email), and they'll be relayed to Murray so he can co-ordinate

If you don't currently pay for membership, this message is probably of minimal interest (unless anyone is tempted by our magnificent magazine and decide it's time to pay to join).

It's important to be aware that the current subscription year includes the Summer 2025 Magazine (which may be ready to post in a couple of months), so paid up members do NOT need to renew at this time - they are already entitled to receive their 2025 Summer Magazine once it has been printed.

Expect an announcement (via RMG website, like this one) once the Guild is ready to accept subscriptions for the 2025-26 membership year.

This is most likely to appear early September.

Paying subscriptions by cash of cheque at the AGM (on October 4th) remains most acceptable, as always. 

The Decision!

Members present agreed that there was enough information already provided to go directly to a show of hands.

Nobody voted at the meeting for reducing activities to two meetings and two magazines per year in order to keep subscriptions down.

All votes cast at the meeting were for a £35 UK subscription to sustain three meetings and three magazines per year.

For the record, we also received over a dozen preferences ahead of the meeting, and with a single exception these similarly favoured the subscription increase.

The committee appreciates this as a vote of general satisfaction with how RMG is being run.

Our sole dissenter, who admitted his age made it unlikely he could still undertake the lengthy journey to meetings, was decent enough to add that he would not be unhappy if the consensus favoured subscription increase.

The meeting also agreed to introduction of a Junior membership category, costing £25, which will be available where the named member is under 18, but must be paid in person at an RMG meeting.

Whether or not membership is Junior, everyone in the named member's family remains welcome to attend meetings.

There was agreement that RMG committee should try to introduce an "electronic" membership category, where members will be able to download each magazine instead of receiving a printed copy.

As its primary purpose is to avoid the ever increasing postage costs for sending magazines overseas, cost of "electronic" membership is likely to be the same as UK membership with a printed magazine.

Assuming we are able to introduce "electronic" membership, price of overseas membership for a printed magazine will rise by £10 to £45 Europe / £50 Rest of World.

We apologise for the size of this increase, but it is unavoidable due to the extraordinarily steep rise in postage costs beyond UK over recent years.

In event (we hope unlikely) that we cannot arrange "electronic" membership in time for the new membership year, we'll aim to keep price rise for overseas members to £5 (which would imply overseas members paying a little below their "fair" share).

Regardless of membership type, paying via the website will continue to have a mark-up of £1, reflecting roughly the slice of each payment taken by PayPal for processing.

There will still be no markup for payment by cash, cheque, or electronic transfer in UK currency direct to the Guild's bank account, as such payments incur no extra overheads.

The committee is most interested in queries or reactions from this decision (or in connection with anything else), which can be made by simply replying to this email.

I had forgotten (and may not be the only one) that the Runnymede Shield is to be awarded at our meeting this Saturday, based on voting by all members present for what they consider the best model.

Collect your voting slip when you sign the attendance sheet.

So all the more reason to bring your finest and most appealing model.

PS I'm also pleased to say that Ted Muggridge has positively confirmed he does plan to attend as a dealer

We hope as many members as possible will attend bringing Meccano Models or other displays.

Don't forget

• Please bring a written description (showing your name) to accompany your model(s)
• If you use a computer to write your description, please attach the file to a reply to this email, so we can ensure it reaches whoever is writing the model report to make their task a little easier.
• Wearing name badges helps everyone.  (Anyone who doesn't have a name badge should let Pete Wood know)
• All being well, tea, instant coffee and biscuits should be available this time.  Taking used crockery back to the kitchen is always appreciated ... offers of help with washing up or drying even more so!
• If you would prefer more substantial fare, either bring your own pack lunch or buy from Sainsburys, across the car park ... but don't be too slow visiting the latter, as by late morning their selection can become rather limited.
• In event space becomes tight, members occupying more than two tables may be asked to free up space so it is possible for others to show what they have brought.

Timetable for the day (provisional)

10:30 Doors open for setting up tables, mains leads, table covers.  Help with setup greatly appreciated.  Please do NOT bring in models until setup is complete.  Putting anything on tables which don't yet have covers is particularly inconvenient.

11:00 Green light to bring in and set up models.

15:00 Business Meeting.  Business Agenda just below.

17:00 Venue must be clear and tidy with everyone out of the door.

Business Agenda (provisional)

• Welcome
• Apologies for absence
• Vote to decide revised subscriptions which will take effect October 2025 (details provided separately)
• Inviting suggestions so we can start planning how RMG might mark its 40th anniversary in 2026
• Upcoming Events
  • Kempton is NOT in June this year (June date which appeared in RMG magazine was incorrect, consequence of mix-up by the Steam Museum)
  • Eversley Steam and Vintage Festival, Sat 21st June - Jonathan Clark
  • British Motor Museum, Gaydon Sat 19 + Sun 20 Jul - John Sharp
  • Bursledon Brickworks Museum, Sun 24 Aug - Peter Goddard + Bob Palmer
  • Henley Gathering, Sat Aug 30
  • St Albans Model Engineering Show, Sat 27 + Sun 28 Sep - John Sharp
  • opportunity to mention more events
• Possible 2026 dates for Marvels of Meccano at Kempton Steam Museum
• Any other business
• Thanks

M25 / A3 Junction

There seem to be no planned closures for 7th June.  Works are still continuing (well the area seems littered with cones and 50mph speed limit signs, even if nobody is actually working) so expect slight delays but no diversions.

Meccano Sales

We hope that Ted Muggridge should be in attendance and should be delighted to relieve you of spending money in exchange for his irresistible selection of parts.

Members are encouraged to bring their own items for sale, so long as this doesn't result in insufficient space for models to be displayed.

Venue

Liphook Millennium Centre,
2 Ontario Way,
Liphook,
Hampshire,
GU30 7LD

Parking

Parking in front of the venue (preferably in the layby) is allowed so long as you are unloading or loading.

However you must move your vehicle as soon as you have unloaded - the venue inform us that penalties have been imposed on vehicles left too long.

There is no charge for parking in Sainsbury's car park, with no time limit, and there should be plenty of space in the zone closest to our venue (which is furthest from supermarket entrance) 

All paid up members can be assured that they will receive the Summer 2025 magazine once it has been created and printed (in very roughly 2 months' time) regardless of whether they renew for the fresh year.

Why do subscriptions need to change?

Because the value of money has fallen (or if you prefer, prices have risen, especially postage).

We have been using money from RMG bank account to delay the subscription change as long as possible, but funds are now depleted and insufficient to continue this for 2025-26 membership year. 

Why is a vote being called at this time?

Because there are two proposals ...
... one increasing subscription to maintain 3 meetings and 3 magazines per year
... the other reducing subscription, but reducing RMG activities to 2 meetings and 2 magazines per year

Agreeing the revised subscription ahead of the AGM will give members the convenience of renewing before the AGM if they wish (but probably not until September)

What if I can't attend to vote in person?

Please let us know your preference by replying to this email, and it will be taken into account when votes are counted.

What are the proposed subscriptions?

The table below shows proposed subscriptions with separate columns based on keeping RMG activities as they are or reducing them.

Rows are for different geographical areas, reflecting how postage rates differ.

For comparison, table has extra columns indicating expected outlay per member, which include most major costs, but actual costs may be higher, as I haven't included minor items, such as light refreshments at meetings, mailing envelopes, postage on correspondence sent by committee members, price rises for next year, etc  

How are Indicative Outlay columns calculated?

They are based on current paid up membership of 101 UK members (of whom four are honorary because of the unpaid work they do for RMG) and 21 overseas members.

Major fixed costs are as follows ...
£90 Insurance (we cannot hire our venue without insurance)
£50 Website costs (exact figure not to hand - possibly underestimated)
£184.32 Venue hire per meeting

The magazine currently costs £784 to print 130 copies, ie roughly £6 per magazine.

Royal Mail's current charges for magazine and envelope (weighing just under 250 gram) are ...

• £2.00 UK
• £5.80 Europe
• £7.70 Canada / S.America / Africa / Asia
• £9.00 Australia / New Zealand
• £8.00 USA

Why have Indicative Outlay figures been calculated on basis that overseas members pay towards meeting costs?

Although overseas members are rarely able to attend, they should bear in mind that RMG meetings are the source of almost all magazine content.  To put it bluntly, without meetings, the magazine would very thin indeed!

If overseas members were exempted from meeting costs, the same reduction might be expected for UK members who don't come to Liphook, which would place a greater burden on those who do attend (paying their own travel costs to do so).

The committee is strongly against forcing members who attend to carry all costs attributable to RMG meetings.  On the contrary we want to encourage members to attend meetings.

To put this in perspective (making the assumption - hopefully overly pessimistic - that 100 members renew for the fresh year) three RMG meetings per year cost members less than £7.

Might an "Electronic" membership category be introduced, where members can avoid postage cost by downloading the magazine rather than receiving printed magazines?

Although RMG committee hopes this will be possible in time for the fresh year, we can't promise until our investigations are complete.  We would favour setting the subscription for "Electronic" membership the same as for UK membership, because if downloads were cheaper, our print run would be smaller, losing economies of scale, increasing unit price of printed magazines.

Congratulations to anyone who has read this far.

The committee welcomes thoughts, comments and suggestions on this topic from all members, either during the discussion at Liphook this Saturday ahead of the vote, or by replying to this email.

We hope many of you are planning to attend the next RMG meeting in Liphook this Saturday (7th June), and bringing Meccano models and / or displays.

Please could you consider volunteering to write the model report for this meeting.  If we have a number of people willing to be asked to write model reports ...

• Not asking the same person to do it every time should make it feel less of a burden
• Ideally we'd like to reduce the load still further by having enough volunteers to split the room between a different pair of members each meeting
• Having a different reporter each time, means the writing style will vary which makes for a better read 

For the February meeting, Murray Russell volunteered his services and his excellent write up in the most recent RMG magazine attracted much favourable comment.  We wouldn't have asked Murray twice in a row, but in any case, Murray has sent apologies that he can't be at Liphook this time due to a family visit.

Don't feel that by volunteering you'll be required to emulate Murray's style.  It's exactly the opposite, as a big part of the idea is to have variation of reporting style.  If you don't feel up to including photos, simply writing words will be fine.  Various photographers share their images with Craig after each meeting, so he can combine them with the words.

Don't worry about imperfect spelling or grammar, it's enthusiasm that counts, and the proofreading phase provides opportunity for phrasing etc to be polished.

No previous experience needed, so if you might consider trying your hand, simply reply to this email.

Looking forward to hearing from some of you!

Robin Schoolar (RMG Membership Secretary)

Members who have paid for 2024-25 membership year should receive their copy soon (inevitably sooner for those in UK than elsewhere)

Messages such as this one are sent to everyone who has subscribed on the RMG website, regardless of they have actually paid to be a member.  So if you're NOT yet a paid up member, the only way to obtain the latest magazine is to pay for membership here ...

• Runnymede Meccano Guild Annual Membership

and for that you will be posted the Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025 magazines, plus the Summer 2025 issue, once it is printed in a few months' time.

We're not promising to send a message like this every time a newly printed magazine is mailed out.  The main reason for doing it this time around is to provide an easy check for members to see whether they are receiving these website messages, as described in the article on page 55 of this magazine.

Don't forget

• Please do bring models and historical displays
• We still need two or three volunteers to share writing Model Report between them.  If no volunteers are forthcoming, expect a very minimalist model report in the next magazine.  All that's needed is writing - Magazine Editor (or one of his minions) can deal with adding pictures
• If you have a description of your model which can be emailed, please send it in reply to this message, and I'll ensure it is forwarded to whoever is writing model report
• Please make sure your name is displayed alongside your models.  Even better, ensure your name is on a written description by your display.
• Wearing name badges helps everyone.  (Anyone who doesn't have a name badge should talk to Pete Wood)
• RMG hope that tea coffee and biscuits will be available - thanks to a volunteer (at least this time) to look after them
• In event space becomes tight, members occupying more than two tables may be asked to free up space so it is possible for others to show what they have brought.

Timetable for the day (provisional)

10:30 Doors open for setting up tables, mains leads, table covers.  Help with setup greatly appreciated.  Please do NOT bring in models or auction lots until setup is complete.  Putting anything on tables which don't yet have covers is particularly inconvenient.

11:00 Green light to bring in and set up models.  Lots can now be accepted for auction.

13:00 No further auction lots can be accepted after this time.

13:30 Start of Business Meeting.  Business Agenda below.

........ Once business is complete, 5 minute break, after which auction will commence.

17:00 Venue must be clear with everyone out of the door.

Business Agenda (provisional)

• Welcome
• Apologies for absence
• Committee changes and vacancies
• Introducing new committee members (subject to meeting approval)
• Inviting suggestions so we can start planning how RMG might mark its 40th anniversary in 2026
• Upcoming Events
  • Midhurst Sunday 9th February - Pete Wood
  • Kempton Sat 12 + Sun 13th April - Robin Schoolar
  • Hollycombe Sun 4th + Mon 5th May - Andy Ripley
  • opportunity to mention more events
• Any other business

Venue

Liphook Millennium Centre,
2 Ontario Way,
Liphook,
Hampshire,
GU30 7LD

Parking

Park in front of the venue (preferably in the layby) is allowed so long as you are unloading or loading.

However it is important to move your vehicle as soon as you have unloaded - the venue inform us that penalties have been imposed on vehicles left too long.

There is no charge for parking in Sainsbury's car park, with no time limit, and there should be plenty of space in the zone closest to our venue (which is furthest from supermarket entrance) 

His brother Phillip has decided that the RMG auction will maximise the chance of Michael's Meccano finding new owners who will appreciate it.

Undoubted highlight will be lot 26, which is the whole of Michael's Exhibition Model of a Tramway with three Trams.

Given this is the model for which Michael was probably best known, Phillip is hoping that whoever buys it may be able to keep it intact, at least for a while, and if possible operate it at a Meccano meeting/exhibition or two.

The setup includes three trams running on 22 feet of 3.5" gauge track, complete with overhead gantries, and there is a control system which can be used to operate the system automatically, or it can be switched to an automatic mode where one tram periodically runs as a shuttle service 

For an idea of what lot 26 comprises, see this Gallery.

The system comes complete with this copiously illustrated 17 page manual, written by Phillip, detailing how to set up, operate and fault find the system.

Information and pictures of all Michael's lots can be found at the end of this news item.

There will be no reserve prices on any of Michael's Meccano.  All his lots must be sold given Phillip lives in California, so there is nowhere for unsold lots to be returned to.

Please note practicalities of this auction as follows

• Auction cashier (Robin Schoolar) can only accept lots between 11am and 1pm.
• Payment in cash preferred, cheques accepted.  Electronic payment will not be possible.
• To keep the auction manageable, we must limit members to two lots each (limit does not apply to lots where all proceeds are to RMG funds!)
• There will also be a limit on total number of lots on the auction
• If there is demand, a further auction may be scheduled for subsequent RMG meeting at Liphook on Sat 7th June
• With a large number of lots to deal with, RMG auctioneer will be encouraging brisk bidding.  Anyone who is slow deciding to bid, or who doesn't call out their bid loudly and clearly, is at risk of missing out.
• Sellers may set a reserve price, but the 10% fee for this must be paid to the auction cashier when the lot is accepted for auction.  If lot doesn't sell, fee will be retained for RMG funds.  If lots sells, seller will be refunded the fee and receive the usual 10% commission.  So a reserve of £50 would need £5 initial fee.  If a lot sells for £70, seller will have £5 refunded plus receive £63 (ie 90% of proceeds).  RMG nets £7, ie 10%. 

Michael Edwards' Meccano Lots

Lot 1: Christmas Decoration - motorised

Lot 2: Small Bus - Driven by PDU

Lot 3: Stationary Steam Engine driven by 20V motor

Lot 4: Aero Constructor 2S - repainted

Lot 5: Robot powered by Stokys sideplate motor

Lot 6: Meccanograph from 1960s set 8

Lot 7: Bunch of three fun models - good for shows

Lot 8: Two boxes of electric and clockwork motors

Lot 9: Tub 1 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

No picture available ... will be on view at Liphook

Lot 10: Tub 2 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

Lot 11: Tub 3 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

Lot 12: Tub 4 of parts, with motor gears and over 1kg nuts and bolts

Lot 13: Number 2 Car Constructor, repainted, with repro parts too

Lot 14: Meccano Hornby Speedboat, small, repainted

Lot 15: Meccano Hornby Speedboat, large, repainted

Lot 16: Meccano Hornby Speedboat, medium, repainted

Lot 17: Group of "play" models, two motorised, including 7 set exploding ship

Lot 18: Models & parts from the Special Edition set in red&green

Lot 19: Box of mainly pre 1934 parts

Lot 20: HCS books including Vol 6, four CQ and Meccano Constructors Guide

Lot 21: Framed Meccano images

Lot 22: Nickel 3 and 3a (doubt complete), repro 3 lid, poor manuals; plus box of dark red/green 

Lot 22 continued: Nickel 3 and 3a (doubt complete), repro 3 lid, poor manuals; plus box of dark red/green

Lot 23: Restrung set 3, repro lid

Lot 24: Restrung set 4 (1937)

Lot 25: Fake Meccano Spitfire and unusual old Electrical set

Lot 26: Michael Edwards' Tramway System

See here for pictures

See here for copiously illustrated 17 page manual, written by Phillip Edwards, detailing how to set up, operate and fault find the system

Lot 27: Steam Powered Lorry

Lot 28: Tub 5 of parts

No picture available ... should be on view at Liphook

At the upcoming Midhurst and Kempton exhibitions I will be showing a variety of models built from the 00+ set (as used in the 2008 Spanner Christmas Challenge and based on the 1928 Outfit 00), to demonstrate the versatility of just a handful of Meccano parts.

To enable visitors to take some Meccano magic away with them I plan to have sets on sale, with 100% proceeds going to club funds. I have designed and 3D printed small parts trays that use a 5.5" flanged plate as lid - so our new recruits to Meccanoland can keep their treasured Meccano parts together.

It would be a huge help if you are able to donate any of the Meccano parts listed, in any quantities. Bolts to be Allen head. Also need Allen keys rather than screwdrivers. Parts need to be in good condition (either original finish or resprayed), no rust(!) please.

I will be at the meeting in Liphook on 1st Feb and happy to accept parts donations there. If you have parts available but are not able to attend the meeting then please get in touch - we may be able to arrange collection.

Very many thanks,

Craig

Regards Robin Schoolar (Provisional Membership Secretary)


Despite Craig filling some vacancies, a number remain unfilled
PLEASE THINK HARD WHETHER YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE VACANCIES BELOW

URGENT VACANCY: Refreshments and Kitchen Co-ordinator
Following John Rogers' decision to stand down as editor, his wife Lisa is no longer available to look after Refreshments and Kitchen.
Given that refreshments at RMG meetings are tea coffee and biscuits, this is not a particularly onerous duty, but is greatly appreciated by members.
Burden could be reduced by sharing the load during meetings amongst a few people taking turns through the day. 
Main "duties" are (a) topping up biscuit plates (b) refreshing the teapot (c) processing dirty items through the (simple and rapid) dishwasher that is available in the Liphook kitchen (d) (optional) maximising gossip circulating amongst members.
Please would anyone potentially interested in this role respond BEFORE February meeting, because supplies (whose cost is reimbursed from Guild funds) are generally bought ahead of the meeting, which would become a waste with nobody to serve them out on the day.

Clearly it follows that if nobody offers to take on this role, anyone attending Liphook on 1st February should assume there will be no refreshments whatsoever.

URGENT VACANCY: Model Reporters
Arguably John Rogers was too good to the Guild, by often writing the model report in addition to producing the magazine.
Producing the magazine is already a big enough task for RMG's new editor, Craig.
So RMG really does need some of those who come to meetings to take on writing the Model Report.
The essential requirement is to write the words.  Craig can then do (or delegate) the page layout, combining words with pictures (which may well be supplied by more than one person)
This is a role where there would be real advantage in being able to call on a pool of volunteers.
That way each person needs to report on only a half or a third of the models during a meeting.
If task of Model Reporting can be rotated to others at subsequent meeting, this not only spreads the load still further but also increases the variation in writing style.
Note that at February meeting, all RMG committee members will be preoccupied with the auction (more auction details will be sent to members soon), so they will not have capacity to write model report.
 

Would you like to get involved and display your Steam related Meccano models at this event on 22nd June 2024?

If you are interested, please do get in touch with Jonathan Clark for more information

(contact details are on the poster below).

Map and location is also shown below.

In anticipation of the forthcoming auction, we have details of some of the lots already, which I am sharing with you now to give you the opportunity to peruse and consider. If you are interested in any of these, then you may wish to come prepared?

The photos shown below may not represent individual lots as they will be offered on the day. Some may well be combined for convenience, but this should give you some idea of what to expect.

We are also expecting a No. 9 set in Red/Green and a No. 7 set in Zinc/Yellow. I currently don't have photos of these as yet, but any images that are sent to me in coming days will be added to the gallery as soon as possible.

On that note, if you do have lots of your own that you wish to showcase, please send me your photos as soon as you can.

May I request that any members who wish to continue their membership but have not yet renewed, please could you do so at your earliest convenience.

If you have decided for any reason not to renew could you please let us know as soon as possible?

We had an excellent AGM meeting held at Liphook on 30th September. Our Editor John Rogers is finalising the next issue of the RMG magazine which includes a full report on the meeting and several detailed contributions from members who attended. Also included is a detailed review of the recent Henley Gathering and several articles from members with news about their latest projects.

Many thanks indeed.

Runnymede Meccano Guild

As you will know, since February 2020 and due to something called Covid 19, we missed out on three meetings at Chertsey prior to July this year when we had the “Liphook Gathering”. For everyone who paid their subs in 2020, the committee feels it is only fair to offer a subs holiday for 2021/22 in recognition of the fact that we didn’t need to cover any hall rentals for a full year. Therefore, we are not asking for any payments this October from members whose subs were paid up for 2020/21.

The cut-off date for the offer will be the posting date for RMG Magazine issue 106 which is imminent and all being well should be early next week (check date of this message).

Anyone who may wish to continue to pay subs voluntarily is free to do so, and these will be received as such with enormous gratitude. Either way, all current members as described above will continue to receive magazines throughout the coming year to include June 2022 (issue 109).

We will review the situation regarding further subs due for October 2022 a bit nearer the time.

Many thanks indeed.

Saturday 31 July 2021, 12:00pm – 5:00pm

As already posted in the events page, (further details can be found here) may I draw your attention to the following -

As a substitute for our cancelled June meeting we are hosting a Gathering at Liphook Millennium Centre on Saturday 31 July 2021 from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm.

All Meccano enthusiasts are welcome (it is not restricted to RMG members), especially if they bring a model.

We expect the event to be popular, so recommend contacting Robin Schoolar at rschoolar@gmail.com in advance to reserve table space. However we’ll do our best to find space for anyone who simply turns up with a model on the day.

Meccano Traders are also welcome but please make contact before-hand to discuss space requirements.

There is no meeting charge, but bear in mind we don’t yet know whether we can offer catering, so best come prepared to feed yourselves. Keep an eye out on this page in case we have updates on this.

The venue is a few minutes drive from the A3 and has ample free parking (GU30 7LD). It is also just a few minutes walk from Liphook Railway Station.

Please see the content from the Henley flyer below for further details of this years Gathering, and if you are interested in attending, you will need to contact the HSME secretary Ian Henwood to register your interest (e-mail link below).

(Apologies for the lack of images/maps; I couldn't get them to load up).

The Henley Gathering 2020

We are hopeful to be holding the 49th Henley Gathering at the Christ Church Centre, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AG on Saturday September 5th 2020.

In these difficult times arrangements will have to be a little different from normal. We will need to keep a record of everyone attending for contact tracing purposes. We will also need to plan for 2 metre social distancing throughout the Centre so display tables will be arranged as individual tables 2 metres apart.

Notwithstanding all this however we would be delighted for Meccano Club members to come along and bring a model.

If you are able to come please let Ian Henwood know so that we can start the contact list and details of what tables you want if you have a model.

ianhenwood12@hotmail.co.uk

You can find your way using the simplified map above. Doors open at 09:00am.

Some car parking is available at the centre: please respect the disabled bays. If designated parking spaces are full, please deliver your model, and move your vehicle to a long stay park.

A £5.00 admission fee will be charged to help defray exhibition costs.

If you can bring your own extension leads/adaptors and table coverings that would be useful.

The Henley Society of Meccano Engineers
www.hsme.org.uk

I'm pleased to announce that the shop is now open for business once again, so please feel free to browse and order as required.

I will still be limiting my visits to the post office to a maximum of one per week for the time being, so as a result there may be a slight delay in orders being posted out. Please bear with me until things "get back to normal".

Kind regards,

Pete

Stay safe.