The Fairford Classic Car Club

Here we are, at the end of another year of wet, dry, wet, wet and well, yuck weather! To be fair we did have some good, sunny days and with our usual luck, many of them seem to coincide with FCCC outings. In my other life i.e. work, I normally have the opportunity to get to sunny and hot places but this year it was Switzerland in a blizzard, India in the monsoon and then a wet, cold China (-80C in Beijing). However, the trip to Shanghai last month did give me the opportunity to travel on one mode of transport that I have wanted to experience for some time – the Maglev train (Magnetic Levitation).

My interest in the Maglev technology i.e. electromagnetic levitation, started through a relation’s friendship with Professor Eric Braithwaite of Imperial College, London who developed the first full sized working model of linear acceleration motors in the late 1940’s. Although the Maglev was a German invention, the first commercial maglev system was operated between Birmingham International Airport and train station from 1984 to 1995. However, as usual, the UK did not support it with further funds and Prof Braithwaite never got the recognition he deserved. Ironically Jill and I were in a hotel in Xian, China (that of Terracotta Warrior fame) last year, when we overheard a very northern Englishman talking about Maglev and Prof Braithwaite. My subsequent introduction lead to a very entertaining next few days – but that’s another story.

Although I have been to Shanghai a number of times, I never had the opportunity to travel on the Maglev so this time, it had to be! As is often the case, the actual is not nearly as impressive as the build up and for £5 you just queue at the airport and when the officious Chinese official says go, you jump on and 18miles and 7min 20 sec later you arrive at Shanghai’s (Pudong) train station. Yes, it does accelerate to 220mph in 2mins and the speedometer in the carriage quickly reaches 461 kph (268mph) in relative silence, but until it banks around a curve or you look at the cars you are overtaking on the nearby motorway, you do not get an impression of the speed. Mind you, sitting at the front and watching another Maglev approaching must be pretty frightening, as the closing speed is 700 kph (406 mph), whilst if it left the rails …..!

Back to reality! As some of you will know ‘Sunny’ the Sunbeam blew its head gasket recently ( I hope it is only the gasket!). The head has now been pressure tested and skimmed, the valves/guides recut etc and the radiator cleaned and brackets re-welded. My reason for mentioning this is that through this problem I have dealt with three firms who have given the level of service, value and interest, we all look for i.e. Robert Walker Eng in Witney (as recommended by Mike Cox), Serck’s in Oxford and Sunbeam Talbot spares in Barnsley. The later phoned me with prices etc on Sunday and when asked about payment the reply, in a strong northern accent was ‘Eh lad, I’ll send parts and invoice and you send cheque – saves money rather than pay by credit card”. Trust – it’s not gone totally out of fashion yet – thank goodness.

Wishing you all safe and enjoyable classic motoring in the New Year .

Jill and Malcolm Cutler – December 2009