North Eastern Meccano Society
Virtual "Shildon" - May 2020 (Page 1)
The club should have held an exhibition at the Locomotion Museum at Shildon on May 24/25th 2020. Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus epidemic this (together with all other exhibitions and meetings) have been cancelled. We therefore decided to put on a 'virtual' exhibition to allow members to display the models they would normally have displayed. Due to the number of photos they are spread over two pages.
The models here are an interesting lot. Some are brand new, and having there first exposure here. Others are older models which have not been seen for many years and one member is displaying the models he exhibited at Shildon in 2010 - exactly ten years ago. We hope that you enjoy them.
A random selection of models from this 'Virtual Exhibition' appear at the top of this page, but they can all be seen in the two pages of photo galleries. In addition one of members has provided videos of his models working. These videos can be seen at the bottom of this page.
ENJOY
High resolution versions of the photos are also available to view or download if desired. In most browsers clicking on a thumbnail, will make that image stay on the webpage and you can then click on the link to get the high resolution version.

Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A model in recognition of the work done by the NHS built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A model in recognition of the work done by the NHS built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : An American Shay Locomotive built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : An American Shay Locomotive built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A Funicular Railway built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A Lombard Log Hauler built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A Mobile Home built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A Mobile Home built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : A Solo Midibus built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : An Open-top Bus built by Joe Etheridge (14/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE day Joe Etheridge had this display outside his home (09/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE day Joe Etheridge had this display outside his home (09/05/2020)
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Photo - Joe Etheridge
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE day Joe Etheridge had this display outside his home (09/05/2020)
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Photo - Alex Robson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : MAN–TGM 10.240 18 Tonne BB Rigid Truck Chassis – designed and built by Alex Robson,
Designed and built from engineering drawings. Includes working model diesel engine (see other photos / video), includes a modified version of Eric Taylor's Crawler Tractor Gearbox (see other photos / video). The chassis incorporates a heavy duty rear differential, leaf spring suspension and the 6" ashtray tyre wheels include wheel bearings. (23/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Alex Robson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : MAN–TGM 10.240 18 Tonne BB Rigid Truck Chassis – designed and built by Alex Robson,
Designed and built from engineering drawings. Includes working model diesel engine (see other photos / video), includes a modified version of Eric Taylor's Crawler Tractor Gearbox (see other photos / video). The chassis incorporates a heavy duty rear differential, leaf spring suspension and the 6" ashtray tyre wheels include wheel bearings. (23/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Alex Robson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : MAN–DG0834 LFL-50 Diesel Truck Engine – designed and built by Alex Robson,
Working valves (16 valves, 4 per cylinder), pistons, crankshaft, fan and auxiliary drive belts. Lifts out of Truck chassis for easy access / demonstration. (17/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Alex Robson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : MAN–DG0834 LFL-50 Diesel Truck Engine – designed and built by Alex Robson,
Working valves (16 valves, 4 per cylinder), pistons, crankshaft, fan and auxiliary drive belts. Lifts out of Truck chassis for easy access / demonstration. (17/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Alex Robson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Gearbox from Eric Taylor's Crawler Tractor – built and modified by Alex Robson,
Modified Gear selection mechanism and gate, added my own design clutch and added a motor making it a self contained powered unit. Separate from the main engine in the truck. (16/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Alex Robson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Gearbox from Eric Taylor's Crawler Tractor – built and modified by Alex Robson,
Modified Gear selection mechanism and gate, added my own design clutch and added a motor making it a self contained powered unit. Separate from the main engine in the truck. (16/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Barry Richardson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Model of a WW2 American "Willys Jeep" with a "Bantam" trailer built by Barry Richardson from a design by Bernard Perier built in Yellow/Zinc colour scheme (02/04/2020)
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Photo - Barry Richardson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Model of a Breakdown Lorry taken from an early 1970s No.9 manual. Built in the later colours of Dark Blue/Dark Yellow by Barry Richardson (02/04/2020)
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Photo - Barry Richardson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Small tractor (complete with driver!) built by Barry Richardson (22/05/2020)
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Photo - Barry Richardson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Couple of Meccano radio controlled cars ( Turbo and Sporty type) built by Barry Richardson (22/05/2020)
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Photo - Barry Richardson
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Four pillar beam engine (red and green) built by Barry Richardson (28/02/2019)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Exhibited in 2010 at Shildon - Fred Thompson's model of a Beam Engine (30/05/2010)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Exhibited in 2010 at Shildon - Fred Thompson's model of a Ferris Wheel (30/05/2010)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Exhibited in 2010 at Shildon - Fred Thompson's model of a Ball Roller built from the Fairground Set (30/05/2010)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Exhibited in 2010 at Shildon - Fred Thompson's models of the Rocket and Sans Pareil Locomotives (30/05/2010)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Exhibited in 2010 at Shildon - Fred Thompson's model of a Showman's Engine (30/05/2010)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Exhibited in 2010 at Shildon - A model of the Runcorn-Widnes Transporter Bridge owned by Fred Thompson but built by the late Les Gines (30/05/2010)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of the North Eastern Railway 1902 Petrol/Electric Railcar which has recently been painstakingly restored at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway where it presently resides. The original Railcar was ahead of its time as it used a petrol engine and generator set to power traction motors driving the axles. (26/10/2018)
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Photo - John Witchard
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of the North Eastern Railway 1902 Petrol/Electric Railcar which has recently been painstakingly restored at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway where it presently resides. The original Railcar was ahead of its time as it used a petrol engine and generator set to power traction motors driving the axles. (26/10/2018)
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Photo - Unknown Artist
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : An artist's impression of the original North Eastern Railway 1902 Petrol/Electric Railcar (2020)
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Photo - John Herdman
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of Northern General Transport S.O.S QL single deck bus built in 1928. My model is based on the vehicle restored by Beamish Museum in County Durham where it presently resides. The model is operated by 12volt motors providing forward, reverse and steering controlled by the Meccano Infrared system. (01/10/2019)
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Photo - John Herdman
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of Northern General Transport S.O.S QL single deck bus built in 1928. My model is based on the vehicle restored by Beamish Museum in County Durham where it presently resides. The model is operated by 12volt motors providing forward, reverse and steering controlled by the Meccano Infrared system. (01/10/2019)
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Photo - John Herdman
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of Roland Emmett-type locomotive and tender. I built this model specifically for the intended exhibition at Locomotion this May because they were exhibiting the Roland Emmett sculpture "Cloud Cuckoo Valley" - of which my model depicts a small part of the sculpture - and which would have still been on display at the time of our own exhibition. (02/05/2020)
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Photo - John Herdman
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of Roland Emmett-type locomotive, tender and carriage. I built this model specifically for the intended exhibition at Locomotion this May because they were exhibiting the Roland Emmett sculpture "Cloud Cuckoo Valley" - of which my model depicts a small part of the sculpture - and which would have still been on display at the time of our own exhibition. The model is powered by a 6volt Meccano motor which is operated in both directions by a lever in the cab. (02/05/2020)
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Photo - John Herdman
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : John Herdman's model of an armoured Simplex Petrol Locomotive and two trucks as used in the First World War to supply armaments to the British Troops in the trenches. The Locomotive is modelled on a one which presently operates on narrow gauge track at Beamish Museum and the low sided truck and hopper truck are typical of those used at the time. This model is powered by a 6volt geared motor which was introduced with the recent Evolution Helicopter set and has its own integral forward reverse switch. This switch is mounted in the cab and can be operated from that position. (02/05/2020)
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Photo - Melvyn Spodick
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Melvyn Spodick continues to build models with his No 9 Meccano that is now 59 years old and still complete with every part down to the last nut and bolt.
My latest model is a bulldozer taken from the 1957 no 8 manual. I have added a couple of wheels to the front blade to enable the model to run more smoothly along the floor. This was achieved by attaching a trunnion to the lower front blade and bolting a double bent strip to the trunnion. The wheel is a 1 inch pulley fitted with a tyre and mounted on a 1 inch rod held in place in the double bent strip by collars. (04/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Melvyn Spodick
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Melvyn Spodick continues to build models with his No 9 Meccano that is now 59 years old and still complete with every part down to the last nut and bolt.
My latest model is a bulldozer taken from the 1957 no 8 manual. I have added a couple of wheels to the front blade to enable the model to run more smoothly along the floor. This was achieved by attaching a trunnion to the lower front blade and bolting a double bent strip to the trunnion. The wheel is a 1 inch pulley fitted with a tyre and mounted on a 1 inch rod held in place in the double bent strip by collars. (04/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Melvyn Spodick
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Melvyn Spodick continues to build models with his No 9 Meccano that is now 59 years old and still complete with every part down to the last nut and bolt.
My latest model is a bulldozer taken from the 1957 no 8 manual. I have added a couple of wheels to the front blade to enable the model to run more smoothly along the floor. This was achieved by attaching a trunnion to the lower front blade and bolting a double bent strip to the trunnion. The wheel is a 1 inch pulley fitted with a tyre and mounted on a 1 inch rod held in place in the double bent strip by collars. (13/05/2020)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Melvyn Spodick
'Virtual Shildon' Exhibition May 2020 : Melvyn Spodick proudly displays his Meccano Guild badge which he still has from when a youndster (14/05/2020)
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Gearbox by Alex Robson
Truck Engine by Alex Robson
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