Our Club Night for September was a conducted tour of one of the major employers in Lincolnshire. Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd. Situated in the centre of Lincoln they design, manufacture, install and service small gas turbines for the Oil & Gas and Power Generation industries, all over the world. When we say small we don’t actually mean small! The units can produce 15 MW of power and a complete package can weigh over 50 tons. The packaged unit ready for delivery looked like a small bungalow.
Jonathan Storer and fellow colleague Paul Gregory each took us round the, very modern facilities. Tony Johnson was looking forward to seeing heavy metal cutting machinery amid the smell of cutting oil. He was disappointed. The machining tools were mostly hidden behind cabinets with just their computer terminal to play with. As you may imagine, the tolerances worked to were very small and the working speeds and temperatures very large. The cooling air for the turbine blades was entering at over 200 c. Though bearing some similarities to aircraft jet engines these turbines are built to last, and weight is not a problem. It was interesting to note that some of the critical items to be welded were hand welded by very skilled real people, not robots. Our thanks go to Mr Nicholas R A Muntz Managing Director for allowing the visit.
On our next visit, which was to the Railway Museum in York, Tony found what he was looking for. In a corner of the workshop housing the Flying Scotsman we found big, conventional, metal cutting machinery and the smell of cutting oil. The engine looked a bit like a bad barn find. It was all in bits! Contrary to our normal days out we split up, men to the museum ladies to the city centre. Lunch and a boat trip were the items we heard about. We did all meet up later for dinner. Travelling from Newark to York by train was quick and easy. Thank you Peter Rowlands for organising the whole thing.
On Sunday 13th some of us went to round 13 of the Bert Hadley Championship. Held at Thorsby Park. The non-racing part of the event is organised by David and Ann Cope. This is a low-key affair but enjoyable for all that. Not many A7 racing cars, a result of our ever more cluttered calendar I expect.
I must mention another day out we had, it was to Stapleford Park. This is the home to a miniature steam railway. We were made very welcome by Steve and Debby Mills and Steve’s Mum. I think it was Steve who said, after the Sevens To The Sea event. “I didn’t think you could have so much fun with old folk!” Nice. It is amazing how much power these little engines provide. Pulling a train with about 50 people onboard. I also found a stall with all manner of interesting tools and equipment. Mostly ex government. He also turned up at Boston Steam, heaven.
An apology from last month I published the wrong address for our open day to view work on the Trial Car. Please see amended advertisement in this magazine. Next month is the first club night in the Stable Block at The George Hotel, Leadenham.
Edwin Davies
A line up outside the Siemens factory.
GROUP MEETINGS FOR 2009
Normal timing 7.30pm for 8.00pm at the George Hotel, Leadenham, unless specified differently.
October 14th Wind up night, an evening of music and song. Leadenham.
Musical director: Ian R Bancroft.
November 11th Quiz and chips. Leadenham.
December 9th Christmas dinner, theme, festive braces. Leadenham.
