Whitwell and Reepham Model Engineering Club
TOP FIELD LIGHT RAILWAY
Charity No.1194692
Trustees Report for year ending 31[st] December 2023.
First of all we would like to thank all those who have attended and helped onsite and off-site throughout the year, without the volunteers we wouldn’t have been able to achieve half of what we’ve achieved this year. So a big thank you! 2023 was another good year for us at Top Field Light Railway both financially and generally. Financially we have had some very successful portable railway events including the North Walsham Childrens Event, Strumpshaw Steam Rally, SEND Fest and Stonham Barns Big Bus Rally. We have aided our portable events by purchasing a twin-axle trailer for the club. This was purchased in the summer and first saw frontline service when we visited Stonham Barns. TFLR own running days on-site have also helped to boost the funds, however we will need to focus on improving the footfall to make them more sustainable. The Vintage Fayre was especially disappointing, due to poor weather and therefore a poor turnout. The Miniature Mayhem Gala was our most successful onsite event which featured 5 working steam locomotives plus internal combustion and battery electric locomotives in support. The decision to attach the portable track to the end of the permanently laid railway was a firm favourite with members and passengers, allowing us to have up to three trains operating. The annual Model Railway Show in October allowed us to trial Driver-for-a-Fiver experiences for the first time, which helped bolster the funds at the end of the season.
The decision was taken to relay the entire section of line from the point to the unloading bay to end of the operational line. When removing the track it was discovered that the entire track bed needed re-digging and new foundations laid. A start was immediately made after the last running day in October. So far the track-bed has been refurbished along with the relaying of ballasted track which has reached Mustn’t Grumble Halt. The next section from Mustn’t Grumble to Roman Road station is currently work in progress. Plastic sleepers have been used throughout, replacing the rotten wooden sleepers which should give us hopefully 50 years of service. The main line rail has been re-laid in flat-bottom throughout, replacing the bar stock. We would like to thank the “Track Gang” led by Stuart Hughes assisted by Ellis and David for their hard work and commitment to the project.
Locomotives:
Tihany: Has been the mainstay of steam traction for most Club activities during 2023, accumulating at least 10 steaming’s. Tihany is now undergoing winter maintenance. Dan Hansell reports that the connecting rods have been taken home for machining. All the replacement pipework has been acquired is now being prepared ready to replace all the pipework that was damaged during last winter.
Iceni: Thanks to Paul for bringing Iceni along during April when Tihany wasn’t available and again when she appeared at the Miniature Mayhem Gala.
Erin: Appeared and helped us with a very successful Strumpshaw Steam Rally. I wish to thank David for bringing her along and helping us to set up and break down.
Edward Watkins: Appeared and helped us with a very successful Strumpshaw Steam Rally. I wish to thank the two Ollies for bringing her along.
Little Nell, Black Knight &; The Jung: All made appearances during the Miniature Mayhem Gala. we wish to thank Neal, Nigel and their other ESLR members.
Scamp 71 / Hughes Locomotive / PMR No.2: All these locomotives helped a great deal during the season and have allowed us to bring in much needed revenue to the club. We would like to thank all the owners for providing their locomotives.
TFLR Branded Clothing:
Club clothing has been introduced and we would like to thank Jamie for its preparation and ordering. If members would like to order any of the club clothing, please speak to Jamie.
Strumpshaw Steam Rally:
Strumpshaw again was another brilliant steam event, the best financially so far. We had five locomotives available at
one point which included Tihany, Erin, Edward Watkins, Scamp 71 and the Neptune. We had the two train “Jazz Service” in operation again, which helped the flow of people. We wish to thank all the members who helped to deliver equipment, set up, operate the railway and then break down and transport back to base at the end of the event.
Future:
As we now enter the 2024 season we are now looking at the following items:
Paying off the last instalment on Tihany’s Loan.
Completing the rebuilding of the railway up to and including Roman Road Station.
Attending Portable Events both new and annual occasions. North Walsham Children’s Event, Costessey Fayre, Strumpshaw, Stonham Barns.
Improving our footfall on the main site with more advertising, new events and some new ideas. We to get people onto our site without having to rely on the main station site. Increasing our active membership.
Implement the Rule Book and some re-training once the railways reconstruction is complete.
W&RMEC Trustees Financial Report for the year 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2023.
Income for 2023.
| Income for 2023. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total of 54 Membership subscription fees paid during 2023. | Sub-TOTAL | £ 889.50 | |
| **£5 Day membership income at TFLR Model Show“Driver for a Fiver.” ** | Sub-TOTAL | £ 65.00 | |
| Individual Donation specifically for Walker Midgely insurance premium. | £1,462.18 | ||
| Donation from Portable Railway Club specifically for Lifting Table Fund. | £ 100.00 | ||
| Donations made by public during June at portable track event. | £ 97.00 | ||
| Donations made by the public during August at portable track event. | £ 134.50 | ||
| Small donations received during the year for Top Field Light Railway. | £ 55.50 | ||
| Donations during 2023. | Sub-TOTAL | £ 1,849.18 | |
| Income from TFLR portable track event with 442 passengers. | £ 600.00 | ||
| Income from TFLR portable track event with 1,019 passengers. | £2,038.00 | ||
| Income from TFLR portable track event with 190 passengers. | £ 650.00 | ||
| Income from TFLR portable track event with 291 passengers. | £ 500.00 | ||
| Income from TFLR portable track event with 87 passengers. | £ 174.00 | ||
| Sale of TFLR Enamelled Lapel Pin Badges: 4 x £6.00. | £ 24.00 | ||
| Portable Track Events during 2023. | Sub-TOTAL | £ 3,986.00 | |
| Sunday 2ndApril passengers: 11 Adults & 10 children (+ 2 & 2 for prize). | £ 50.50 | ||
| Sunday 16thApril passengers: 3 Adults & 2 children. | £ 10.50 | ||
| Sunday 7thMay passengers: 4 Adults & 6 children. | £ 19.00 | ||
| Sunday 4thJune passengers: 22 Adults & 8 children; plus 1 Adult Rover. | £ 72.00 | ||
| Sunday 2ndJuly Mini Mayhem Gala passengers: 57 Adults & 25 children. | £ 180.00 | ||
| Sunday 6thAugust ‘Summer Fayre’ passengers: 31 Adults & 17 children. | £ 103.00 | ||
| Sunday 3rdSeptember passengers: 14 Adults & 04 children. | £ 41.00 | ||
| Sunday 1stOctober passengers: 8 Adults & 8 children. | £ 32.00 | ||
| Top Field Light Railway multi-ride tickets. | £ 45.00 | ||
| Sale of second-hand Railway Books/Jigsaws and Model construction kits.£ 75.00 | |||
| Sale of TFLR Enamelled Lapel Pin Badges: 7 x £6.00. | £ 42.00 | ||
| Income from passenger tickets & sales at Top Field Light Railway. | Sub-TOTAL | £ 670.00 | |
| Total | Income 2023 | £ 7,459.68 |
| Expenditure for 2023. Walker Midgely Insurance premium 1stMarch 2023. £ 1,462.18 Members Loan repayment for purchase of Tihany (steam locomotive). £ 3,000.00 TFLR Website, plus printing and advertising costs. £ 256.60 Tihany parts for water gauge, protector & glass (Ex RA Barker). £ 323.98 Secondhand twin axle trailer with cover (Ex Graham Arrowsmith). £ 500.00 Clarkes battery charger (Ex Machine Mart). £ 59.98 Recalibration of hydraulic pressure gauge (Ex Metnor). £ 36.00 Consumable items for events and locomotives etc. £ 207.65 Relaying P-Way, recycled plastic sleepers, screws, weed control fabric. £ 593.59 Miscellaneous fees and hire charges. £ 33.00 Trustees Travel Expenses to portable track event. £ 50.00 Annual Ground Rent £20/month to Hercules Management Services Ltd. £ 240.00 Cost of TFLR lapel badges 11 x £3.11. £ 34.21 SumUp transaction fees for 2023 on income of £ 728.00. £ 11.09 PayPal transaction fees for 2023 on income of £ 121.00. £ 3.28 Total Expenditure 2023 £ 31st December 2023 Surplus of income minus expenditure £ Total cash assets at 31-12-2022 brought forward £ Total to carry forward to 2024 £ |
Expenditure for 2023. Walker Midgely Insurance premium 1stMarch 2023. £ 1,462.18 Members Loan repayment for purchase of Tihany (steam locomotive). £ 3,000.00 TFLR Website, plus printing and advertising costs. £ 256.60 Tihany parts for water gauge, protector & glass (Ex RA Barker). £ 323.98 Secondhand twin axle trailer with cover (Ex Graham Arrowsmith). £ 500.00 Clarkes battery charger (Ex Machine Mart). £ 59.98 Recalibration of hydraulic pressure gauge (Ex Metnor). £ 36.00 Consumable items for events and locomotives etc. £ 207.65 Relaying P-Way, recycled plastic sleepers, screws, weed control fabric. £ 593.59 Miscellaneous fees and hire charges. £ 33.00 Trustees Travel Expenses to portable track event. £ 50.00 Annual Ground Rent £20/month to Hercules Management Services Ltd. £ 240.00 Cost of TFLR lapel badges 11 x £3.11. £ 34.21 SumUp transaction fees for 2023 on income of £ 728.00. £ 11.09 PayPal transaction fees for 2023 on income of £ 121.00. £ 3.28 Total Expenditure 2023 £ 31st December 2023 Surplus of income minus expenditure £ Total cash assets at 31-12-2022 brought forward £ Total to carry forward to 2024 £ |
6,811.56 |
|---|---|---|
| 648.12 611.27 |
||
| £ | 1,259.39 |
Whitwell & Reepham Model Engineering Club accounts prepared by: John Mason (Trustee/Treasurer).
Signed by Chairman of Trustees Robert Ewles: Robert Ewles W&RMEClub AGM 21[st] January 2024.