Miscellany, November 2002

In the piece about racing driver Dick Nash, his ‘Weybridge Beeches’ garden railway was mentioned. The electric loco was made by Nash from drawings of the LMS mainline diesel-electric loco No.10000, to 7.25in gauge. When its batteries, used also in his veteran Columbia electric car expired, a 50cc JAP engine was used, with 3-speed gearbox and chain final drive. The railway is being reconstructed on a new site. News not out of place in a car magazine, for did not Count Zborowsld, J E P Howey and other racing drivers have such outdoor railways, and Segrave, Bira and Chula fine indoor layouts?

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From New Zealand comes news of the restoration of a 1913 Nazzaro, whose owner has been to Turin and “combed the world” for parts, and who would like to hear from anyone else who has one of these rare cars.

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The early MG Society, which is interested especially in the 14/40s and MG Sixes, has a good magazine. The current issue includes a study by Andrew Radford on how MG survived the 1929 depression. The editor is Geoff Radford, the secretary David Hutchison, 61 Maguire Drive, Frimley, Surrey CU16 5RY.

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With its useful mix of history, technical information, maintenance tips and fine photos, the Riley Register magazine, edited by David Styles, is among the best. The latest issue reports, in colour, on the 2002 Coventry Rally, and, for variety, has three pages on sailing in an 1892 barge — no engine, not even from a Riley. The Register’s membership secretary is J A Clarke, 56 Cheltenham Road, Bishops Cleeve, Glos., GL52 4LY.