14 June 2023 Rail Accident Investigation
Mark Hamilton, an Inspector at the Rail Accident Investgation Branch (RAIB), explained the purpose of the body. It exists in a similar way to the Air Accident and Marine Accident investigation branches to independently investigate incidents on the railway. This includes tramways and heritage railways. The objective is to identify the cause and what safetly lessons can be learned, It does not identfiy who is to blame or prosecute anyone at fault.
This was a very interesting, interactive session which captivated the audience. We may organise a more in-depth meeting later to look at how an investigation is done, from the first notification to the RAIB to production of a report.
For some background information on the RAIB, click here.
This was a very interesting, interactive session which captivated the audience. We may organise a more in-depth meeting later to look at how an investigation is done, from the first notification to the RAIB to production of a report.
For some background information on the RAIB, click here.
24-May-2023 STEP - Nuclear Fusion at West Burton
Steve Killingbeck, Head of Tranche 2 Engineering Planning spoke about this exciting project.
The UK Government has confirmed the West Burton power station site in North Nottinghamshire will be home to the ground-breaking STEP prototype fusion energy plant.
The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) plant will be designed and constructed to demonstrate the ability to put net electricity on the grid. It will also pave the way to enable future commercial fusion energy plants to be commissioned and constructed.
Fusion energy has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come. It is based on the same processes that power the sun and stars.
The Government-backed STEP programme will create thousands of highly skilled jobs during construction and operations, and attract other high-tech industries to the region, furthering the development of science and technology capabilities nationally.
Click here for more information.
Steve Killingbeck, Head of Tranche 2 Engineering Planning spoke about this exciting project.
The UK Government has confirmed the West Burton power station site in North Nottinghamshire will be home to the ground-breaking STEP prototype fusion energy plant.
The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) plant will be designed and constructed to demonstrate the ability to put net electricity on the grid. It will also pave the way to enable future commercial fusion energy plants to be commissioned and constructed.
Fusion energy has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come. It is based on the same processes that power the sun and stars.
The Government-backed STEP programme will create thousands of highly skilled jobs during construction and operations, and attract other high-tech industries to the region, furthering the development of science and technology capabilities nationally.
Click here for more information.
|
10-May-2023 Nigel Macknight : The X15 Rocketplane
Featuring a wonderful collection of images assembled for a book Nigel is producing on the subject, this talk was an insight into the fabulous X-15 research plane that flew as high as 354,200 feet and at speeds as fast as 4,520mph (Mach 6.7). A total of 199 test flights were undertaken over a ten-year period ending in 1968, in a joint programme involving the US Air Force, NASA, the US Navy and North American Aviation. One of the twelve test pilots who flew this astounding machine was Neil Armstrong. The X-15 was air-dropped from a ‘mother ship’ Boeing B-52 at 45,000 feet. F-104 Starfighters were used as chase and training aircraft for the X-15 programme. The X-15 followed other trail-blazing aircraft such as the Bell X-1, in which Chuck Yeager became the first person to exceed the speed of sound. Nigel was acquainted with four of the X-15’s pilots and brought their personal recollections into a very interesting presentation |
|
3-May-2023 Air & Space Institute
Ross Tarnowski, Head of Learning and Skills for Engineering & Technology at the Lincoln College Group, gave the background to the ASI concept. He provided an update on the build progress and what facilities are being provided, and explained future aspirations of how it will work and what opportunities there will be.
For further detals click here: https://asi-newark.co.uk/
For further detals click here: https://asi-newark.co.uk/
29-Mar-2023 Visit to ITP Aero, Whetstone
18 members and guests were treated to a viewing of one of the original Whittle jet engines, which is displayed at the offices of ITP Aero Engines Ltd.
We also had presentations on the history of the company, engine & component testing, control systems and thermal analysis of spacecraft.
The team at ITP Aero gave generously of their time and had prepared a set of detailed presentations. A very interesting visit.
YouTube video about Sir Frank Whittle
18 members and guests were treated to a viewing of one of the original Whittle jet engines, which is displayed at the offices of ITP Aero Engines Ltd.
We also had presentations on the history of the company, engine & component testing, control systems and thermal analysis of spacecraft.
The team at ITP Aero gave generously of their time and had prepared a set of detailed presentations. A very interesting visit.
YouTube video about Sir Frank Whittle
23-Mar-2023 Sherwood Observatory
27 members and guests visited Sherwood Observatory and heard about the development of the observatory and their ambitious plan to build a science discovery centre and planetarium.
Members also learned of the observatory's role in the launch of the James Webb telescope - they were part of the education outreach programme. Along with a tour of the planetarium site we and had a chance to view Betelgeuse through the observatory's 0.6m telescope.
For more details go to https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/
27 members and guests visited Sherwood Observatory and heard about the development of the observatory and their ambitious plan to build a science discovery centre and planetarium.
Members also learned of the observatory's role in the launch of the James Webb telescope - they were part of the education outreach programme. Along with a tour of the planetarium site we and had a chance to view Betelgeuse through the observatory's 0.6m telescope.
For more details go to https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/
|
|
8-Mar-2023 Aerial Photo Reconnaissance
Steve Farley gave us brief history of Tactical Reconnaissance, the skills and techniques of imagery analysis with examples old and more recent. There was also a small collection of various stereoscopes for members and guests to try out. This was our first event for a year, and our first "in person" talk since December 2019. It was a great pleasure to welcome members and guests to Newark Library for the event. We are looking forward to many more events and attendees. |
30-Mar-2022 On-Line Lecture: Midland Main Line Electrification
Elen Jones of Network Rail talked about the complex project to electrify the Midland Main Line between London and Corby. The project was completed in May 2021 and was one of the biggest improvements to the MML since it was built in 1870. They also developed design standards for future 125mph operating upgrades for the UK.
One of the projects Elen mentioned was the trial of electric freight locomotives. The challenge with these is the loading and unloading of the freight wagons in the presence of overhead line equipment (OLE). The short video below shows how it works.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1509184032357113859
Elen Jones of Network Rail talked about the complex project to electrify the Midland Main Line between London and Corby. The project was completed in May 2021 and was one of the biggest improvements to the MML since it was built in 1870. They also developed design standards for future 125mph operating upgrades for the UK.
One of the projects Elen mentioned was the trial of electric freight locomotives. The challenge with these is the loading and unloading of the freight wagons in the presence of overhead line equipment (OLE). The short video below shows how it works.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1509184032357113859
|
26-OCT-2021 Visit to Lowdham Signal Box
This was our first visit after the COVID-19 restrictions. 9 members and guests attended and were shown the workings of the signal box. After closure following the 2016 resignalling of the Nottingham-Newark line, in October 2020 the box was moved from next to the level crossing on the Nottingham-bound side of the line, less than 100m, to be next to the Station House behind the Newark-bound platform. It has since been extensively renovated prior to opening to the public in August 2021. Click here for more information |
06-OCT-2021 On-line Lecture
The TfL Barking Riverside Extension
Raffaela Urbani, Project Manager
The Barking Riverside extension adds 4.5km to the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line and take it from Barking to a new station at Barking Riverside. The main works are in progress. Train services are expected to start in autumn 2022.
Raffaela talked about the significant challenges of piling near the HS1 tunnel, finding unmapped sewage pipes and COVID-19.
For more information go to the TfL Project web page by clicking here
Some further details about the large steel girders used in the construction of the viaduct.
The TfL Barking Riverside Extension
Raffaela Urbani, Project Manager
The Barking Riverside extension adds 4.5km to the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line and take it from Barking to a new station at Barking Riverside. The main works are in progress. Train services are expected to start in autumn 2022.
Raffaela talked about the significant challenges of piling near the HS1 tunnel, finding unmapped sewage pipes and COVID-19.
For more information go to the TfL Project web page by clicking here
Some further details about the large steel girders used in the construction of the viaduct.
|
|
The main component of the scheme is a 25m steel rising cill sector gate which was installed and built on a working river, with waterways both upstream and downstream used regularly. Other factors taken into account, along with the ease of navigation for vessels, was the design of the defence, build components, minimising risk, and utilising offsite construction. The project incorporates United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, using them as a basis for monitoring and evaluating success. This approach was a first for the Environment Agency and has maximised the project’s benefits across multiple indicators, having made positive impacts on all 17 goals. |
12-May-2021 On Line Presentation
Boston Barrier Tidal Flood Defence Scheme Adam Robinson, Environment Agency The Boston Barrier scheme will better protect over 14,000 properties and 500 businesses against tidal flooding in Boston, Lincolnshire once fully complete. The scheme is an Environment Agency led project delivered by contractors BAM Nuttall Mott MacDonald Joint Venture (BMMJV). The scheme is part of the Boston Combined Strategy, and is deemed a National Priority Project within the Environment Agency’s Six Year Programme. The £100 million project is fully funded by the Government’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid and once complete will better protect against a tidal flood event of 1 in 300 for its 100-year lifespan - one of the highest levels of tidal flood protection in the UK outside of London. |
28-Apr-2021 7:30pm Traffic Modelling for Non-Modellers
Are you confused, sceptical or afraid of ‘modelling’? Pete Knightbridge at Atkins helped us understand why we need Transport modelling, what it is used for and how it’s done.
Are you confused, sceptical or afraid of ‘modelling’? Pete Knightbridge at Atkins helped us understand why we need Transport modelling, what it is used for and how it’s done.
|
14-Apr-2021 On-Line Presentation
From Megawatt Valley to Kilowatt Valley The River Trent and Green Energy! For many years, the Trent Valley was referred to as Megawatt Valley due to the large number of coal- fired power stations lining its banks. However, with the virtual elimination of coal as a source of energy, the title is fading into history! Perhaps a new title should be coined, Kilowatt Valley, as the Trent becomes one of the main, if not the largest source of green hydro electricity generation at the Canal and River Trust’s navigation weirs. Ian White presented the development of hydroelectric power generating plants at three sites along the River Trent, and at the possibility of increasing the number of sites further. He focussed on the design, construction and commissioning of the latest site to be built adjacent to Newark Nether Weir, which is located under the A46 viaduct adjacent to the Nottingham- Lincoln railway line. |
|
Click here to go to the A46 scheme web page
|
January 2021 On-Line presentation
Newark A46 By-Pass Upgrade Options Alan Dunnett from Highways England explained the options being proposed for the dualling of the current single carriageway bypass around Newark. |
|
July 2020 - On-line presentation: Fusion Energy: What will ITER do?
Dr Francis Ridgeon talked about how to produce energy from nuclear fusion and how the ITER reactor being built in southern France will be the first to be a net exporter of energy from fusion. This was an in-depth presentation which included references to Einstein's famous equation and quantum tunnelling! For more details go to https://www.iter.org/ |
|
|
May 2020 - On-Line Presentation - Demolition of the Huntingdon A14 Viaduct
In a first for the society, Colin George of Highways England gave an on-line presentation about the project to demolish the former A14 viaduct which passes over the East Coast Main Line at Huntingdon. Since the openeing of the new A14 route to the south of Huntingdon this aging viaduct has become redundant. 23 members and guests enjoyed the presentation from the comfort of their own homes. |
|
February 2020 - Visit to Flowserve Newark
15 members were shown round the Flowserve service and repair centre. Water pumps of various sizes and designs were seen being serviced ready for use in pumping water from aquifers and for North Sea oli rigs..
15 members were shown round the Flowserve service and repair centre. Water pumps of various sizes and designs were seen being serviced ready for use in pumping water from aquifers and for North Sea oli rigs..
December 2019 - Safety & Accidents on the Railway
|
|
November 2019 - Dynex Semioconductor
12 members visited Dynex Semiconductor in Lincoln. We were met by one of the design engineers and given a presentation on the history of the company and its products. They manufacture semiconductors for controlling very high voltage and current in transport and power distribution applications. We also toured the factory where we saw the clean rooms where the silicon wafers are processed into the products.
12 members visited Dynex Semiconductor in Lincoln. We were met by one of the design engineers and given a presentation on the history of the company and its products. They manufacture semiconductors for controlling very high voltage and current in transport and power distribution applications. We also toured the factory where we saw the clean rooms where the silicon wafers are processed into the products.
|
September 2019 - Lincoln Eastern By-Pass Visit
12 members visited the Lincoln Eastern By-Pass construction site as guests of Galliford Try. We were given a presentation about the history and progress of the site and then taken on a tour of the length of the site in 4-wheel drive vehicles. |
|
|
|
August 2019 - Marshall's Coaches Visit
Over 20 members made a return visit to see how a modern fleet of buses and coaches is kept in top condition. Past president John Marshall proudly showed off the progress his team are making on restoration of a W.Gash & Son Daimler double decker bus. |
2019 AGM & Lecture
Our 2019 AGM was preceded by a talk on the Newark Growth Point housing development by Urban & Civic. A history of the site and its development criteria were presented. A lively discussion followed as many members live close to the development.
At the AGM members were updated on the finances and membership of the society,. An appeal was made to people to join the committee and help to ensure the future development of the society. We still have vacancies for anyone who wants to help!
Our 2019 AGM was preceded by a talk on the Newark Growth Point housing development by Urban & Civic. A history of the site and its development criteria were presented. A lively discussion followed as many members live close to the development.
At the AGM members were updated on the finances and membership of the society,. An appeal was made to people to join the committee and help to ensure the future development of the society. We still have vacancies for anyone who wants to help!