A Meccano Bridge

By Pete Wood • Published on Monday 23 March 2015, 12:02pm

This article was sent to me by Gerry Kingston…

A Meccano bridge

By Rebecca Black • 3 March 2015

It's an old childhood favourite — and it's set to span the River Lagan this summer.

An ambitious project to create a temporary bridge constructed entirely from Meccano is the brainchild of the engineering department at Queen's University, Belfast.

Schoolchildren will be drafted in to help the students and academics as part of the university's outreach programme.

Members of Belfast City Council's Parks and Leisure Committee heard last month that Queen's has requested permission to hold an event at Clement Wilson Park (South Belfast) linked to the construction of the bridge.

The committee heard the lightweight crossing is be around 24 metres and is proposed to span a section of the river in Clement Wilson Park in the south of the city. The university has designed and tested a model of the bridge and told the committee that it is "satisfied that it can be done".

Construction is set to take place off site, and sections of the bridge will be transported to the park where they will be erected on site.

Special pieces of Meccano have had to be ordered by the university for the project.

Construction is expected to start shortly at Queen's for sections of the bridge before the bridge-building event takes place in June. Queen's require permission from the Rivers Agency for the bridge and from Belfast City Council as owners of Clement Wilson Park to hold the construction event.

Last night the council voted in favour and endorsed a recommendation from the Parks and Leisure committee granting permission for Queen's to erect the temporary bridge.

It's not the first time a bridge made from Meccano has been constructed.

There was one completed in Liverpool in 2009. Top Gear presenter James May fronted the project as part of his Toy Stories television programme.

RMG Magazine Back Issues (Second Edition)

By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 13 March 2015, 6:19pm

Good News!

The next batch of RMG Magazine Back Issues (Second Edition) is now available for pre-order!

Issues 11 to 20 will be going to print shortly, and you can now place your orders in the shop's Magazine Section.

As before, they are on SPECIAL OFFER if you purchase the full set of 10 issues, and if you missed the chance the first time, a further discount is offered if you order Batch 1 and Batch 2 together (Issues 1 to 20)!

If you simply want to fill in any gaps in your collection, each issue can be ordered individually.

There will be a limited supply of issues once printed, so guarantee your order by visiting the shop now!

A Labour of Love

By Pat Briggs • Published on Thursday 26 February 2015, 11:27am

A review of Andreas Konkoly’s Supermodel booklets         

Nick Rodgers is well known as the popular President of the Runnymede Meccano Guild and also for producing the well regarded member’s magazine almost single handedly.

What perhaps is not general knowledge is that since 1989 he has been engaged on a mission, the objective being to collate the diverse model plans of Andreas Konkoly of Hungary who died in 2003.

Andreas first became known to me in the 60’s when he offered details and photos of his designs in exchange for Meccano parts, then difficult to source in Budapest. I recall that he drove a hard bargain, usually with a result in his favour!

Nick has finally completed his researches and a full compilation so is now able to commence publication of selected items with full constructional details. I have been privileged in having been asked to review the introductory two volumes which I believe to be the first ever private endeavour manuals colourfully presented on quality paper as opposed to Konkoly’s plans. They are destined to benefit both the beginner to the hobby and the long term Meccanoman.

Number 1 commences with an interesting introduction based on a short Konkoly biography. Here we learn that he did not own a Meccano set until aged 40, (No. 5 outfit). Nevertheless during the years thereafter, he constructed in excess of 200 models ranging from mechanisms to some 20 outside the scope of a No. 10 set.  In addition he collected Meccano literature, particularly that from China and Russia. Nick explains the somewhat complicated listing that had been adopted for the original plans from which the instruction text has been rewritten. This to save any misunderstandings that might arise from the original quaint English of Andreas (although it was always a good deal better than my Magyar!)

Meccanographs and a Rolling Ball Machine feature in Volume 1 being ahead of the curve of these specialist interests with developed examples appearing at most exhibitions today.

Volume 2 highlights models also original in concept and of particular interest is the Goliath Electric Motor. This languished for several years as a problem being constructed for 110V DC or AC. However, Nick persuaded Pete Wood to redesign it and hence run on 14V DC. Additionally, the Norton Motorcycle (built around a No. 1 Clockwork Motor) with sidecar has been a favourite of mine.

Nick is to be congratulated on a job well done and for ensuring that the name Andreas Konkoly will have its rightful place in Meccano history. No shrinking violet, Andreas would have been delighted in this knowledge.

Although the number of pages in each volume varies, it has been decided to have a fixed price of £10.00/volume plus P&P. That works out at £2.00/model which is considerably less than Andreas was charging for his instructions 25 years ago. They are available through the RMG website (runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk) or by post from the Secretary Pete Wood, 19 Woodside Close, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey, GU21 2DD, UK. Volumes 1 and 2 are available now and Volumes 3 and 4 will be available in March. It is anticipated that at least two volumes will be published every 6–8 weeks over the forthcoming year.

RMG February Meeting

By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 23 January 2015, 6:59pm

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

RMG Meeting on 7^th February — Venue Change!

Due to an unfortunate administrative error, the Lyne Village Hall is not available to us for the next meeting. Alternative arrangements have been made and details of the new venue can be found below. This is a temporary arrangement, and we should be back in our normal surroundings for the June meeting.

These details will be issued with the meeting reminders, but please spread the word to everyone you know who might be likely to attend, in case I miss anyone out, or they don’t receive notice for any other reason.

The venue address is:

Salesian School, Highfield Rd, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8BX

The timings are slightly earlier than normal, and we will need to be prompt with packing up at the end of the day, out of courtesy to the resident caretaker.

Please see the events page for full details.

Maps and directions are included below:

• https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/assets/salesian-school-map-1.png
• https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/assets/salesian-school-map-2.png
• https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/assets/salesian-school-map-3.png
• https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/assets/salesian-school-entrance.jpg

Diary Dates Correction

By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 5 December 2014, 7:57am

Hi folks!

One keen-eyed member has spotted our "deliberate mistake" on the latest issue No. 86 Diary Dates for 2015.

The dates shown for the West London Meccano Club events are in fact last year's dates, and should be as follows:

2015

Apologies for the confusion.

Happy Spannering & Happy Xmas!

The Hainault Hangout

By Tim Surtell • Published on Saturday 27 September 2014, 1:23pm

This is your chance to be part of London's premier* Meccano Hangout!

What is this all about?

For the past few decades NELMC members have spent the year attending four meetings and an annual exhibition. You would be forgiven for getting them mixed up as our exhibition was more like an open meeting.

Now is the time to try something different. This December our exhibition is taking on a whole new persona. We are going to run the day as an open day for all interested modellers, club members or not.

This year we are going to drag the dusty old exhibition out of the corner it has been hiding in, and give it a 21st century work out. We have secured a lot more space at our usual venue by renting the entire building! By introducing new competitions, supplying raffle prizes that are really worth winning, and presenting the event in a casual and friendly environment, the new Hainault Hangout will be one event you will not want to miss.

A flat admission fee of £3.00 will be payable by all exhibitors, members and visitors, with the exception of accompanied children who will still be admitted FREE of charge. For this small charge exhibitors will receive an Exhibitor’s Pack containing FREE tea and coffee vouchers, plus one FREE draw ticket for a special exhibitors-only Prize Draw!

Refreshments will be available and our friendly dealer, Mr Dave Taylor, along with his long suffering and amazingly tolerant wife, Marylyn, will be in attendance should you wish to stock up on even more nice shiny Meccano!

Convinced? Here is what you need to know…

• The Hainault Hangout will take place on Saturday 6th December 2014 from 10:00am – 5:00pm at Hainault Baptist Church in Franklyn Gardens, Hainault, Essex IG6 2UT. For a map, please click here.
• The venue will be open for setting up from 8:00pm on Friday and from 7:00am on Saturday.
• A limited number of free parking spaces are available adjacent to the venue, or for £2.00 at Hainault Underground Station nearby. Reserved parking spaces can be booked for disabled exhibitors (Blue Badge holders). Disabled toilets are available.

While you may just turn up on the day with your models, if possible you should click here and complete the form to book your space.

If you have any questions, please contact the organiser, Tim Surtell, by e-mailing him at tim.surtell@nelmc.org.uk.

We look forward to seeing you!

* Well, it will be if you are there!

Exhibition DVDs

By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 5 September 2014, 8:26am

Check out the latest addition to our range of shop products!

A series of DVDs depicting hundreds of models from recent exhibitions and events around the country.

Filmed and edited in professional style by Tim Surtell, these DVDs offer you a chance to see the models in action — if you missed the event, now is your chance to "go back in time", and if you were there, you can relive the experience!

Look out for more titles of forthcoming events in due course…

RMG Newsletter Back-Issues (Second Edition)

By Pete Wood • Published on Tuesday 13 May 2014, 12:34pm

In recent weeks, we have been selling the last remaining limited stock of original RMG Magazines. There are still a few of the later issues available for sale, and these can be found in our shop.

However, I am very pleased to announce that we have been working towards making all back-issues available once again, this time as a "Second Edition".

You now have the opportunity to enjoy the earlier Newsletters, and work towards completing your historical collection. Currently, the first 10 issues are ready to go to print, and subsequent issues will become available in due course…

Issues 1 to 10 (batch one) are now available for pre-order in the shop.

 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER

Buy all 10 at a discount price, for a limited period only!

This offer expires on 15th June 2014; however you can order individual copies at any time, for the normal price. For more details, take a look at the Magazine section of our shop.

Don't delay, reserve "batch one" today!

Website Shop and Back-Issues

By Pete Wood • Published on Saturday 26 April 2014, 9:34pm

A huge Thank You!!

The response to the recent news item announcing the availability of original and second hand back-issues was astonishing. Over half of the initial stock was reserved within two days! I was very pleased to be able to cater for most peoples requests, but inevitably we reached a point where I had to tell a few unfortunate souls, that they were too late. So, humble apologies to those few, but I hope to be able to honour those requests at some stage in the future.

For now though, the remaining stock is limited to a few of the more recent issue numbers, and I still have a good stock of these if anyone is still looking to extend their collections.

The next piece of good news is that we have now instated the website shop to facilitate further orders. Take a look at the navigation bar, and you will find the Shop there next to the Gallery.

The option to pay for your subscriptions was already in place elsewhere, but it also now appears in the shop. There, you will also find a list of all available magazine back-issues complete with the contents of each issue, and the option to order directly (subject to availability).

The current limited range will allow us to test the process before we eventually extend to a full compliment, and the ability to complete your collection of back-issues!

More on this to follow…

RMG Newsletter Back Issues

By Pete Wood • Published on Tuesday 22 April 2014, 7:32pm

Good News!

I am very pleased to announce that I am now able to offer an extremely limited supply of original "NEW" (untouched) back issues on a strictly "first come first served" basis, while stocks last. These are left over stock, held in storage since their original issue date, and are in pristine condition.

Additionally, there is a small number of second hand issues available, which came from the late Bob Martin's collection. Their condition is mostly "very good" to "as new", although a few are classed as "fair" due to having slightly marked or damaged covers, or having been annotated with notes in pencil. The prices are reduced for these reasons, although they are still by no means shabby. These Newsletters have been well looked after!

A list of which issues are currently available is laid out below. Issues highlighted in red are down to 3 or 4 copies, those also with an asterisk* are down to the last copy, so please get your requests in as soon as possible, before they disappear!

Please E-mail me at pete.wood@rmguild.org.uk with your requests to confirm availability. I will reserve copies for you in the order the requests reach me (subject to availability), and update this news item as the stock levels are reduced.

I will then confirm your order and quote a price for the magazines and postage - (or hold them in reserve for you, for collection at the next meeting if you prefer).

Please make cheques payable to Runnymede Meccano Guild.

IMPORTANT - don't send any payments until I have confirmed your order!

"NEW" Back Issues

The earlier issues (up to 73) are A4 stapled format, and are priced at an amazing £3 per issue.
The later issues (74 onward) are folded full wrap issues and are priced at a bargain £6 per issue.
Remember that these are original copies and are highly sought after collectors items!

Don't delay - buy one today!

"SECOND HAND" Back Issues

Condition and Price
Fair - £1
Good - £2
As New - £5

Here is a list of available issues:

You can now purchase these issues in the new Website Shop!

(Subject to Availability)