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26 October 2008
Today started out warm & sunny as we headed up the A19 to Ryhope to see the marvelous pumping engine in steam. What a superb piece of Victorian engineering
and a joy to see it working. The team of dedicated volunteers have
certainly done a great job. Unfortunately my camera doesn't do a very
good job indoors so the pictures are unusable.
I did get a few outdoor pictures.
A great MGC belonging to Malcolm Beevis of Marske
26th
This Super MG TC belongs to Ian Tunnicliffe, who didn't have far to travel, being from Sunderland.
These magnificent machines were just in the gateway and were wonderful to see as we walked in.
This little baby was for sale, and I was very tempted but didn't dare ask the price.
There
must have been well over 100 cars of all ages there, as well as craft
stalls, model displays, and the very necessary food & drink.
It
was well worth the visit, even though we were only there for a couple
of hours we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will keep an eye open for
the next steaming. Hopefully we'll be able to go in the TA next time.
Crikey, doesn't time fly by. It doesn't seem like a month since I last updated this page.
I
sorted the ignition problems on the TA and as it was a pleasant day
today I decided to take a drive out and maybe get some video shots.
Typical
of my luck, I'd just got everything ready to go and the fuel pump
packed up. I'm now looking for a new pump, preferably the solid state
version of the SU pump that's already fitted. The prices I've found up
to now are the stuff heart attacks are made of.
16
July 2008 - Nick, I've tried to answer your question about the gearbox
but the email addess you used won't accept my emails. Please can you let
me have an alternate address to reply. Thanks
13 July 2008
Not
a lot of news at the moment. My TA is immobile with ignition problems
and I haven't had time to do anything with it, and with no events
planned, it's been put on the back burner for now.
Sorting
and clearing rubbish has been the main prority and in the process I've
discovered a few more things which will be on the site as soon as I get
chance. Things that I have identified are a TC steering column, a set of
XPAG cam followers, and a couple of T Type outer door handles.
Summer?
is here so if your car is on the road, enjoy it. If it's laid up you
have plenty of light nights to skin your knuckles on it.
28 June 2008
The Fire Engine Rally
This
annual event started a long time ago as the Teesside Airport Fire
Engine Rally (hopefully somebody will tell me exactly when as my memory
isn't too good these days) and since then it has grown from something
mainly for Fire Service enthusiasts, to a super couple of days for all
the family.
As well
as fire engines of all types and ages, there are displays of cars of all
ages, craft displays, model displays, arena activities, and rides of
all types for the children. I'm sure I've missed something but I only
had a couple of hours to spare and couldn't get round it all.
Unlike
last year when it poured with rain and washed the event out, today was
bright and sunny when we arrived about half past one, but breezy and a
little chilly when the sun went in.
Everybody we saw seemed to be enjoying themselves, with plenty for all tastes and food for all tastes as well.
I only saw a few MGs.
This
lovely and rare1967 MG1100 Mk1, owned by Alan Channing of Spennymoor
has it's certified copy of its factory record showing that it was built
5-6 January 1967.
A very nice MGBGT, looking as good as they always did.
T230,
an MGBGT, ex Sussex Constabulary, now extensively restored and
equipped. It's looking good but I can't help thinking that the
'aerodynamic brick' on the roof must hamper the performance a little.
The MG TC on the right is another ex police car, now owned by Bill Tonks of Wingate.
I didn't feel the slightest bit guilty lighting up a cigar next to this.
An
impressive line up. Given the cost of fuel theses days and the few
miles per gallon these vehicles do, I was very pleased to see so many
'in attendance'. I don't know if the numbers are up or down on previous
years, but this year is a good turn out.
A few more than three steps to heaven.
Inside
the marquee I found some wonderful examples of model engineering by
Keith Hay. It's good to see craftsmanship still survives.
Meanwhile,
back in the arena, a display by the Young Firefighters. Young
Firefighters is an initiative run by some fire stations, who take
youngsters between the ages of 13 and 18 and give them training one
night a week. They train to use all the equipment, from branches to
cutting gear, in just the same way that firefighters do. I think it's a
briiliant idea and it will hopefully raise awareness with the youth of
today of the real value of the Fire Service. If it stops some from
setting fires and stoning the crews who attend, then it can only be a
good thing.
I really
wish that I'd had time to see more, but what I saw was as good as ever
and a credit to the organisers and those who attended with the displays
of all types.
15 June 2008
The 38th Beamish Safety & Reliability Run
Our
day started not too badly, with a bit of a late start from home meaning
that we just had time to sign on and get a couple of pictures before
our start time of 09.11.
Once
we got away it was a superb run down to Bainbridge for the lunch break.
The TA was on song and climbed the hills with no trouble at all. We did
try to take some video on the way to Bainbridge but somebody forgot to
check the batteries in the camera. I can't say who in case I incriminate
myself. We were in the company of some superb machinery ranging from a
BSA Bantam to a Rolls Royce. The weather was a bit of a mixed bag with
cold rain one minute and bright sunshine and warmth the next. The hood
never goes up on my TA so no prizes for guessing what made us happiest.
Once
at Bainbridge I changed the batteries in the camera and managed a few
shots whilst eating lunch and chatting to other entrants. There are also
a lot of visitors who come to see the cars and ask loads of questions.
All in all an entertaining break.
Having
left Bainbridge in bright sunshine, which stayed with us all afternoon,
we tackled the first of the observed afternoon climbs, Askrigg Bank.
The next was Silver Hill, which was done with ease.
Following Silver
hill we had quite a distance before the next observed hill and it was on
this leg of the journey that disaster struck. Most of the day we had
been in amongst other cars but for some reason we were the only car on
the road for a while. We were barrelling along merrily at our own pace
when a misfire developed. There was about five miles to go to the next
checkpoint so I decided to keep going and investigate there.
Unfortunately that was not to be as the misfire became no fire and we
ground to a halt. I had just started to investigate the problem when the
first good samaritan stopped to help. With all that was going on I
can't remember how many stopped to help but it must have been close to a
dozen people who offered advice and parts. You know who you are so if
you are reading this Thank You. Your willingness to help a total stranger and the support you offered does you credit and maintains my faith in human nature.
The problem turned out to be a failed rotor arm and many were offered but none was the right one.
Whilst
I was on the phone to the RAC, the end of course marshall happened
along, closely followed by the event sponsor, who happened to have the
correct rotor arm. With the engine now running again, the RAC was
cancelled and we were on our way. Sadly we were now so late that all the
following checkpoints would have closed, and even if we went directly
to the finish there would have been nobody there.
We accepted our fate as non finishers and made our way home. Despite the problems, it was a marvellous day and a big Thank You goes
to George Jolley and his team of volunteers for all the work and
planning that goes into such a great event, and all the work that
actually goes into the day.
Our final Thank You goes
to Ken of North East Motorcycles, Ivanhoe Terrace, Chester-le-Street,
Durham, DH3 3JB, The sponsor of the event and the man who came up with
the gold in the form of a rotor arm which fitted.
All
in all a superb day in every way and I look forward to next year. I'll
be carrying a spare rotor arm next year so if we do hit trouble you can
guarantee it will be something different.
12 June 2008
My
work on the brakes paid off and the TA passed its test with flying
colours. Up to now this year, I've only driven it round the block to
test the brakes and it was good to let the old girl stretch her legs on a
longer run. Great to feel the wind in my hair too. We are all set for
The Beamish now and just have to hope for some good weather.
8 June 2008
It's been a super weekend weatherwise, which is just as well as I had to
get the brakes sorted on the TA. Towards the end of last summer they
were terrible. The fronts needed bleeding every time I went out in it.
I've had the front cylinders re-sleeved with stainlees steel inserts,
fitted new rubbers, linings and flexy hoses and hopefully all will now
be well.
Next weekend
is a big event, The Beamish Reliability Trial, a 150 mile drive over
the moors with some of the steepest climbs and descents in the area.
Good brakes could be an advantage. Hopefully I'll have some pictures and
maybe some video of the TA in action.
The
car is as ready as it will ever be, I just have to have the MOT done
next week. Fingers crossed that I haven't missed anything as there won't
be much time to get it sorted.