Schools
Welcome to our Schools Resource Pages
Our books are a mixture of Science, Engineering, History and Adventures.
We hope that you will find them useful and that your pupils will find them both fun and educational.
We have provided some resources for you to use with individual books – just click on the book below.
There are some more general resources for use in the classroom further down this page.
Meanwhile, if you would like to order some books, please use the discount code SCHOOLS10 for a 10% discount from our Bookshop
Also, Chris will be pleased to sign and dedicate books to pupils. Just enter their name(s) in the dedication box.
Engineering / Railway projects for the classroom
Bridge Building Competition
Build a Bridge from string, sticky tape and drinking straws
A class competition:
Who can build the strongest bridge?
Downloads
1. Teachers’ Notes – a pdf document to help prepare for the event
(Not for use in the classroom.)
2. Illustrated talk for use in the classroom
A pdf document which can be downloaded in advance.
Fun Video Clips
We have some great clips from YouTube on our Fun Videos page. Here are three which might be useful. (They do not lead on to other clips.)
Chris Vine explaining Pistons, Cranks and Connecting Rods on a small steam locomotive, Bongo.
1 minute.
A steam engine with a glass cylinder and valve cover so you can see how it works.
More info on the fun videos page.
2 minutes.
A series of clips about Peter’s Railway books, the locomotive Bongo (aka Fiery Fox) and the small steam railway across the farm.
20 minutes.
Some suggestions for Class Visits
Full-Size Steam Railways
There are some 200 Steam Railways and Transport Museums around the country. Nearly all of them will welcome a class visit, and many of them have a dedicated education officer who will be delighted to help plan your visit and get the most from it.
In particular, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway have a Peter’s Railway Young Engineers Centre with displays and interactive demonstrations.
Model Engineering Societies
We are building up a list of Model Engineering Societies who would welcome a class visit to their miniature railway. Quite apart from a ride on a miniature steam railway, the model engineers will tell you all about how steam engines work. Just like the books brought to life!
The Northampton Society of Model Engineers Ltd.
Contact Mr Geoff Watts, Secretary. Tel 07989 309905
secretary@nsme.co.uk
Website: nsme.co.uk
Post Code NN4 8AJ
The Crowborough Miniature Railway
Contact Mr Malcolm Place, Chairman. Tel 01892 669004
Email: malcolm.place47@googlemail.com
Website: Crowborough Miniature Railway
Post Code TN6 2TE
The Sunderland Model Engineering Society
Contact Peter Russell, Secretary, Tel 0191 371 1011
Email: peter.russell@steamrail.co.uk
Website: www.csmes.co.uk
Post Code SR6 9NB
The North Wales Model Engineering Society
Contact Mike Brown, Vice Chairman.
Email: mike.brown@nwmes.org.uk
Website: www.nwmes.org.uk
Post Code LL30 2PQ
Evergreens Miniature Railway – Nr Boston, Lincs
Contact Phil Wiseman
Email: PPS@heriteng.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.evergreens-miniature-railway.co.uk
Post Code PE22 8EF
Pimlico Light Railway – Brackley Northants
South Cheshire model Engineering Society
Contact Colin Mansell, Hon Secretary
Email: contact@southcheshiremes.com
Website: southcheshiremes.com
Post Code CW5 6NE
Teesside Small Gauge Railway
Contact Dennis Kitson,
Email: dennis@kitsond.plus.com
Website: www.tsgr.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/teessidesmallgaugerailway/
Post Code TS18 3RH
Ipswich Model Engineers Society
Contact Terry Woodward, Secretary
Phone 01473 729314 or 07877 193743
Email: terrywtel@aol.co.uk
Website: www.imes.org.uk
Post Code IP3 8LR
Rugby Model Engineering Society
Contact Howard Brewer, Secretary
Email: rmes.sec@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.rugbymes.co.uk
Post Code CV23 5QD
Wolverhampton Model Engineering Society
Contact Martin Bedson, Secretary
Email: norberta@talktalk.net
Website: www.wolverhampton-dmes.co.uk
Post Code DY3 4HB
Ickenham & District Model Engineering Society
Contact The Secretary, IDSME, 25 Copthall Rd East, Ickenham Middx UB10 8SD,
Website: www.idsme.co.uk
Post Code UB10 8SD
Lancaster and Morecambe Model Engineering Society
Contact David Wilson, Secretary
Email: secretary@lmmes.co.uk
Website: www.lmmes.co.uk
Post Code LA5 9RX
North Norfolk Model Engineering Club
Bristol Society of Model & Experimental Engineers
Contact Norman Rogers, Chairman
Contact: 01275 855 435
Website: www.bristolmodelengineers.co.uk
Railway is at Ashton Court
Post Code BS8 3PX
Hereford Society of Model Engineers
Contact Wally or Wanda Sykes,
Tel 01981 458 306
Website: www.hsme.co.uk
Railway is at Broomy Hill, Hereford
Post Code HR4 0LJ
Handforth Model Engineering Soc. Cheshire
Contact Ian Mackay, Secretary
Email Handforthtrains@gmail.com
(Tel 01625 524483 please use email if possible)
Website: www.handforthmes.org.uk
Facebook:- Handforth Model Engineering Society
Railway is at Post Code HR4 0LJ
West Wilts Society of Model Engineers
Contact Peter Brougham
Email: peter_fred@hotmail.co.uk
Website wwsme.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/West-Wiltshire-Society-of-Model-Engineers
Post Code BA13 4LX
North Wilts Society of Model Engineers Coate Water Park SN3 6AA
Contact Mrs Hilary Foley, Secretary
Email: hilary@nwmes.info
Tel 07941 835679
Website www.nwmes.info
Post Code SN3 6AA
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