Category: Group Blog

Not a huge turn out for our March, as a few days of snow and sub-zero (centigrade) temperatures put people off from attending. Despite this 9 of us braved the cold weather.

Ben Powell had been steadily working on his latest pair of Bagnall Meyers. The first has an open cab back and was awaiting a coat of primer before export for overseas service. The other is for Ben’s industrial layout and was awaiting it’s valve gear.

Peter Hardy brought along his Southwold 2-4-0T, now largely finished and named ‘Helen’. This ran on Peter’s test track hauling Peter’s lates wagon in the form of a mobile crane made from an N-brass crane mounted on a scratch built bogie flat wagon.

David Wilcox brought along his latest layout that he had started building on the Monday using a spare shelf. “Dolserau” is a station of the freelance Gregennen Railway in Merionethshire, and David ran a selection of stock on the evening.

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21 attended our first Saturday meeting of 2023.

Julien Webb brought his test plank / layout ‘Xavier’s Creek”, but no stock. Thankfully some review samples sent to Ben Powell from Bachmann – RNAD brake van and flat – helped. Ben also brought a pair of Peco freelance vans fitted with new NEM compatible chopper couplings from Tramfabreik (also review samples).

Ben had also brought along his Proxonn mini milling machine. Several in the group had expressed an interest in how Ben was using it to assist with his scratch building. This was demonstrated in Ben’s finished Bagnall Meyer ‘Monarch’ and another pair of similar locos as works in progress.

Ian Willetts brought along a small layout. Whilst new to Ian it had originally been built by the late Pete Smith. Ian was seeking some advice about the venerable H&M point motors that Pete had fitted but not fully wired up.

Steve Mann brought along a new layout / test track (built with the help of Geoff Harper). Various things were spotted on it during the meeting. Steve’s Kato ‘Princess’ hauling a pair of bogie liquid chlorine bogie tanker wagons. These were converted from Triang TT items by fitting Peco 009 bogies. Also running was Steve’s new FR Linda with tender (Bachmann), a Chivers freelance Bagnall and Fourdees Models ‘Baroness’.

There was also some model making going on at the meeting. Geoff Harper working on a white metal Sierra Leone 2-6-2T kit. Paul Atkin working on a railbus built from two Maudslay bus bodies joined at the cab ends.

Adrian Hall brought along his 2 ‘Bear Creek’ HOn3 modules that incorporated the loco servicing facilities.

Alec Matthews brought along his embryonic layout. This has a track plan loosely based on Towyn but with a Colonel Stevens light railway feel. Alec ran a selection of his own 3D printed stock along with his converted Bachmann Baldwin. Ben’s Monarch made a guest appearance.

Blair Hobson’s brought along his latest HOe layout “Mittenberg” for a shake down run before it goes to NG North next month. It ran very well at the meeting (when Blair remembered to switch the cab control correctly!) and members spent some time looking for all the hidden figures on the layout.

Will King managed to make it home from North Wales and brought along a selection of SM-32 Simplexes. These ranged from a WD 40hp protected model to WD Bow-frames 20hp to a 12hp version that was in essence a powered skip chassis! He’d also brought along a white metal bodies 009 L&B 2-6-2 and Backwoods Barclay 0-4-0.

New member Dave Marriott set up a Kato test track and ran his Bachmann Baldwin in Snailbeach condition. Miles Bevan borrowed it and ran a pair of Fourdees “Avontuur” Manning Wardle 2-6-4T locos that looked very handsome hauling the Bachmann steel bogie coaches.

Pete Hardy brought along his test track. Whilst I missed most of what ran on it I did manage to catch Peter’s latest loco project in the form of a mostly built Golden Arrow kit for the Southwold 2-4-0T Sharp Stewart on a much modified Farish 2-6-2 chassis.

John Brookes brought along his ‘layout in a box’, a small 009 project also called “Foremill”. This ran a selection of John’s stock, including some rather nice conversions of Triang TT wagon bodies.

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18 made it to the January meeting.

David Wilcox brought along a Ruston 20DL model for SM45 (Pic001,2 &3). This battery powered loco used a remote control system by LocoRemote that uses wifi signals from a smart phone. The system could also be used to run a layout, and has the facility to have sound functions added.

Adrian Hall brought along his HOn3 clip together track. A Colorado & Southern 2-8-0 (Pic004) and 2 truck shay (Pic005), both with sound, were put through their paces. Also a Mack railcar that whilst not sound equipped ran very nicely and looked a treat (Pic006).

David Churchill brought along a new book on the Hendre Ddu Tramway. Published by Lightmoor Press it had a lot of interest, especially the pages on the White 1 1/2 ton truck converted for rail use.

Julien Webb brought along his latest project. This is a Bagnall 0-4-0T built from the N-Drive “Central” kit. Julien had modified the cab on and then added some details (Pic007). Awaiting name plates the loco is to be called Siân.

Dick Johnson had brought along his ‘Tren Bach’ layout, which amongst other things ran his new Bachmann Britomart and Ali Shan diesel loco (Pic008).

New to the group Alec Matthews brought along some examples of his 3D printing. One was his Bachmann double fairlie conversion Unicorn (Pic009). Another was a freelance design based on the Snailbeach Bagnall “Dennis” but with elements of Andrew Barclay to run on a Farish 08 chassis (Pic0101). He also had with a very nicely finished Chivers Gowrie on a Minitrix chassis (Pic011)

Many of Alec’s locos and stock got a run on Joseph Jacks’ Snailbeach layout. This has progressed well since he fitted the point motors at the last meeting. Now it has a loco shed and stone transfer dock (Pic012). Also on display was Joseph’s conversion of one of the MinitranS F&C coaches (Pic013).

Matthew Tozer had been working on more of his stock. Running on Peter Hardy’s test track with his tiny Bagnall 0-4-0ST ‘Bold’, a 3D print on a Tsugawa ‘Koppel-A’ chassis (Pic 014).

Also running on Peter’s test track was Ian Willits’ open cabbed Hunslet ‘Nesta’ complete with a 4mm scale Ian Willits on the footplate courtesy of a Modelu 3D print (pic015).

Also making an appearance was John Davies’ inglenook shunting puzzle “Porthgain”. John also showed a selection HOm, OOn3 and 5.5mm scale stock (pic016).

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13 braved the frosty weather to attend our December meeting at Four Oaks.

Adrian Hall brought along a Blackstone K27, Westside K36 and Fujiyama K37.  All HOn3 and fitted with DCC sound and were heard running during the meeting. Also running was a little box cab loco that Adrian had purchased from Ralph Parker’s estate at the November meeting. Adrian was also doing some modelling with stripping the paint off a brass HOn3 caboose using Deluxe products ‘Strip Magic’.

Dick Johnson had decided to leave ‘Tren Bach’ at home in the warm this month. He did bring along his latest purchases from the Warley show though. These included a Bachmann Britomart, 2 different Peco Christmas vans and an Ali-Shan forest railway diesel locomotive.

Bob Taylor had been busy building a new layout. “Blodyn Bocs” is a small circular layout built into a flower box. The centrepieces are some 3d printed buildings and slate fence made from bits of plasticard. Running on the night was a 3d printed tram loco body on a Kato chassis.

Peter Hardy brought along his test track that saw a variety of stock on the night. This included a Bachmann Brittomart and Peter’s Narrow Planet O&K. The latter was hauling the 4 wagons Peter had built on the 009 demonstration stand at the recent Warley show.  These are an exercise in recycling and reusing, being made from bits left over from the Wills woodyard kit, scratch built plastic chassis and some spare wheel sets.

Also on Peter’s test track was Paul Atkin’s latest loco. This was made from a pair of Coopercraft Matador lorry cabs mounted back to back on a Kato bogie chassis. Paul had also brought along a Christmas train. This was a Smallbrook Studios 0-16.5 0-4-0 Peckett “North Star, no. 2412” with festive driver and some Smallbrook wagons.

Steve Mann had also bought a Bachmann Brittomart at Warley. This got some running-in on an oval of Kato Uni-track with a rake of Bachmann and Peco slate wagons. Britomart also had a go with a rake of Fourdees 4 wheel coaches, the loco’s blue livery nicely complimenting the brown and cream of the coaches, as did the Bachmann ‘Rusty” that Steve had also bought at the show.

Matthew Tozer was busy painting a selection of 3d printed open wagons that had been purchased via eBay. His use of paint and colour washes very effectively captured the worn and faded wood of some ‘internal user’ wagons for his box-file diorama “Brewery Stores”.

David Churchill had taken delivery of the late Gert Jensen’s collection of Darjeeling & Himalayan Railway stock. These are currently on loan to the DHRS and David is doing a little light restoration. It was delightful to see Gert’s B class 0-4-0ST, Walford diesel and Motor Rail railcar again at a meeting.

Also undertaking some model making was Joseph Jacks, who was fitting and wiring up the point motors on his Snailbeach layout. These seemed to be working by the end of the evening, but the running of trains would have to wait until the point motor pins had been cut to length to match the 6mm kappabord Joseph had used in his ultra lightweight construction. However, with his Kerr Stuart Skylark and GVT loco posed outside the engine shed the layout seems to be shaping up well.

Thanks to Peter Hardy and David Churchill on Tea & Coffee Duty, and to Paul Atkin who helped Peter with the washing up. Thanks also to Dick Johnson, John Davies, Paul Atkin and Steve Mann for the festive catering contributions – I don’t think much was left to be taken home.

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(Written by John Davies & Ben Powell)

Around 25 of us met at Four Oaks Methodist Church on the afternoon of Saturday, November 19th, 2022 to enjoy a pleasant get together, running trains, talking and drinking tea or coffee.

Sadly, in view of our late friend, Ralph Parker’s death, Julien had the task of selling his estate on behalf of his daughter, Cassie. From what I could see he was busy throughout the afternoon and I hope did well for her. Personally speaking I’d enjoyed Ralph’s company during the time we’d known him, and will miss him a lot.

Our layouts were an interesting mix reflecting the varied interests of our members.

Blair Hobson brought the Grand Duchy of Mittenberg. This HOe layout is set somewhere in the lower Alpine region of Europe, precise location unknown. Rolling stock included Roco, Minitrains and Lilliput equipment.

Dick Johnson again brought Tran Bach – the Little Train. It is always pleasant to see, and look for anything new in the stock department.

Matthew Tozer had a demonstration stand, working on various wagons he’s building.

Paul Atkin was running Brende Lane End. This is an intriguing combination of an Inglenook shunting puzzle within a small circle of track. The sidings being worked with a turntable or sector plate ‘behind the scenes’.

Ben Powell had brought along Ridge Lane for a pre-Warley test session. Stock featured a number of visiting locomotives from Ian Willets and David Churchill. David has been modifying a pair of Fourdees Thames class body kits into an Indian Duplex example, both bodies being based on Bachmann Peter Sam chassis.

Geoff Harper had a demonstration table. He was endeavouring to solder an SRB Gamecock Peckett together, despite distractions from the group. We are unsure how much he managed to achieve amongst the distractions!

John Davies brought unfinished Glyn Valley layout. A test of a cut of Ceiriog Quarry wagons was partly successful. They would run, but a little refining of the Peco couplings is required!

Andrew Bizley had his unnamed continuous run layout. He’d built this as occupational therapy recently – a need which most of us can identify with, I’m sure, and a worthwhile little project it is, too.

John Walker was running a test circle, and Peter Hardys test track featured his own scratch built ‘Linda’ and the new Bachmann ‘Blanche’, which received many positive comments from the members.

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16 turned out for our October meeting.

Ben Powell had been busy at the workbench. The current ‘work in progress’ is a Bagnall Meyer. This uses a Golden Arrow ‘Monarch’ body and a pair of modified N-Drive chassis. This was joined by Ben’s finished loco, a third scratch built Hadfield 0-4-2ST Peckett called “Dwarf”.

“Dwarf” had a run on Peter Hardy’s test track along with some of Peter’s latest builds. First was a railcar built using a Dundas Eisteddfod coach on a Kato 4-wheel chassis. Then a Roco HOe 0-6-0T reworked to make something more UK in appearance. Finally a second Roco body mounted on a Fleischmann 0-4-0 chassis.

Ian Willetts brought along his latest models. These were a Kerr Stuart Haig on a roco 0-6-0 chassis and a KS 60 hp diesel on a Trix 2-6-2 chassis running as an 0-6-0. Also visiting the test track was Ian’s 0-6-0 rod drive diesel made from a Roco HOe body and a Farish 04 chassis.

Paul Atkin brought along his O-14 Lister Autorail, built from the KB Scale kit and sitting on a little diorama. On Peter’s test track he ran a pair of bogie coaches made from Ratio sides, painted in a crimson lake livery. Paul also brought along a pair of Ashover coaches built from the Meridian kits and a Bachmann Baldwin in Ashover livery.

David Churchill brought along his latest purchases. These were a pair of Bachmann ‘Peter Sam’ locos and Fourdees printed kits for the Kerr Stuart Thames. The plan for these is to build one of the Kundala Valley Railway (India) ‘back to back’ loco pairs.

David Wilcox brought along a scratch built bogie wagon running on scratch built bogies and pulled by a Knightwing diesel loco bash running on a Kato chassis. The loco was equipped with a flashing LED roof beacon powered by an on board coin cell so it could be illuminated independently of the track current.

Prize for the most interactive display went to Jospeh Jacks, who brought along a small baseboard and proceeded to lay tracks. This was something Joseph had not done before, so he welcomed the assistance and advice of group members. By the end of the evening most of the circuit of track and a few sidings were laid. With  a couple of flying leads from his controller managed to get his Kerr Stuart Skylark running.

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Nine made the first of our regular Friday meetings at Four Oaks Methodist Church Hall.

Dick Johnson brought along his ‘Tren Bach’ layout.  This now has catering facilities in the form of a card kit for a burger shack. On the rails ran a variety of Dick’s own stock, including a 1964 vintage Liliput ‘G. Thommen’ 0-6-0T.

David Churchill ran a Bundaberg Fowler 6-wheel diesel. This was built from an A1 models kit. Originally designed for the Kato tram chassis David had modified to fit a Fleischmann diesel chassis.

Colin Capel brought along a Roco 2095 Bo-Bo diesel in PBL VS72 red livery along with a rollwagen and standard gauge load.

Steve Mann showed his most recent purchases. These were a Bachmann Peter Sam along with a Fourdees body kit to convert it to Talyllyn Kerr Stuart Tattoo “Edward Thomas” as running in the 1980s with extended cab and traditional chimney.

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By way of compensation for not being able to run our biennial members day and asw ehad a booking, we had a Saturday afternoon meeting at Four Oaks Methodist Church Hall (FOMC) on August 20th.

Members brought along whatever they had been working on. The extra space available at FOMC allowing for some layouts to be set up and tested. this was either after prolonged storage due (no shows due to Covid) or to test how well those lock down layouts worked outside the home.

We also had the opportunity to browse some of the 009 Society’s sales stock having invited Lee Bryant to attend.

Ben Powell’s new industrial layout made an appearance. This also allowed Ben to show his ever growing collection of locos. Fresh from the workshops were another 0-4-2ST Peckett and a model of the Bagnall 0-4-2T “Isaac” built from the Chivers Gelert kit. Ben also brought his multi-gauge test track. Many people made use of to test purchases form the Society sale stand.

Peter Hardy brought along ‘Norton Heath’ which ran a variety of stock during the meeting in addition to Peter’s own.

Dick Johnson’s ‘Tren Bach’ also made it to the meeting and showed some more scenic details that Dick had added,

Steve Mann’s ‘Goodmannton’ came out of hibernation and seemed to be behaving itself.

Trevor Street brought along 2 layouts – his Turkish delight box layout and a new layout called “Woodford”.

Matthew Tozer debuted his box file layout “Brewery Stores”. In addition to his own stock saw a couple of visitors. David Churchill’s Neilson 0-4-0ST (built by John Bruce from an N-drive kit) and David’s freelance Fourdee’s kits running on a Kato England chassis.

John Davies bough along his 009 circular test track that tested some Glyn Valley stock purchased from the 009 Sales stand. John also showed his new 12mm gauge shunting puzzle “Porthgain” and a selection of his 12mm gauge stock.

Tim Williams brought along ‘Chwarel Tegid’ with its new corner section and a selection of recently printed stock.

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15 turned out to give us a full house at our June meeting.

Joseph Jacks brought along a Bowman 32mm gauge live steam loco of 1920s vintage. This was a non-runner that was looking for replacement piston rings (the originals were apparently asbestos rope!). He also had a Snailbeach Skylark loco for 009 (most of a Chivers white metal kit on a 3D printed footplate, buffers and cab roof) running on an N-Drive outside frame chassis. This hauled some home 3D printed Snailbeach hoppers that had received a wash of colour.

John Davis had been busy building, with his Clogher Valley loco completed and a County Donegal ‘Phoenix’ tractor he had finished earlier that day. He also brought along his latest eBay purchases, scratch built late 1950s/ early 1960s vintage models of Tralee & Dingle locos No. 3 2-6-0T and 2-6-2T No. 5.

Pete Hardy had finished the Narrow Planet 40hp Orenstein & Koppel loco seen last month, now finished in a smart blue livery. It went through its paces on Pete’s test track hauling a train of Pete’s scratch built stock. This including a rather nice tank wagon made from a short length of 15mm copper pipe that had been squashed into an oval cross section.

Also on Pete’s test track…

Ben Powell had purchased one of the new Fourdees 3D printed kits for a freelance 0-4-0 Peckett. Ben had started painting the parts prior to building and fitting a Minitrains F&C chassis he had managed to obtain.

Matthew Tozer brought along a selection of his stock. This including the latest additions in the form of a mini Bagnall 0-4-0ST running on a Tsugawa Koppel-A chassis hauling a rake of barrel wagons, all 3D prints purchased from eBay.

Paul Atkin brought along a very nicely finished “Wasp” railcar. Built from a Worsley Works ‘scratch aid’ kit Paul had fully detailed it outside and fitted an interior to hide the Kato chassis it was running on. The detail work being based on a set of photos taken of the prototype at Welshpool by David Churchill.

Tim Williams brought along the new section of Chwarel Tegid with quarry Hunslet ‘Alice’ (Brian Madge kit) with a model of the Dinorwic ‘yellow coach’ that’s now at Bala. Tim had also printed another of the yellow coaches (the smaller one now at Launceston). Unfortunately the print had warped so the axle boxes had splayed out and weren’t retaining the axles. What had worked were some Penrhyn ‘Midland carriage & wagons works’ slate wagons. These were running on Tim’s ‘Circle Line’ with some 3D printed Rubbish wagons (as featured in the new 009 Handbook) behind Tim’s ‘Winifred’ (another Brian Madge kit).

Dick Johnson brought along ‘Tren Bach’ that has seen some scenic work with more figures in place. Running on the night was Bachmann Double Fairlie “Merddin Emrys” and a train of Peco FR bug boxes, including one of the Platinum Jubilee special editions.

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14 turned out for our May meeting.  These included 2 new members Ian Willetts and Andrew Brush.

Will King brought along a pair of 16mm scale Simplex.  Apart from some copper wire Will had entirely made them on his own 3D printer.

Dick Johnson brought along ‘Tren Bach’ that saw a variety of stock running:

• Ben Powell’s latest kit builds – a pair of the new steel peat bogie wagons from Chivers Finelines.
• David Churchill’s latest purchase (a built N-Drive ‘Nellie’ ex-John Bruce) hauling a rake of Ben’s Innisfail coaches.
• Ben Powell’s Sena Estates 0-6-0ST Peckett.
• A Bachman Rheneus and some Peco FR Bug boxes from Dick’s own collection.

Peter Hardy brought along his test track, that like Dick’s layout saw a lot of traffic:

• Paul Atkin’s Atlas tram loco (with kato chassis) and matching bogie coach.
• A new Narrow Planet 40HP Orenstein & Koppel loco on a Bachmann Percy chassis from Pete Hardy.
• A pair of Eggerbahn Railcars belonging to John Walker (recently overhauled by Julien Webb).
• A Narrow Planet Barclay conversion of the Minitrains Bohler from Ian Willetts hauling a rake of Chivers bogie opens by Ben Powell
• BenPowell’s Thomas Green 0-6-2ST, built from the RT Models kit.
• A WD Simplex (Meridian body on Tomitech chassis), A1 models diesel and Kerr Stuart 90hp locomotive (Alen Holt print) all by Ian Willetts.
• A Joueff Decauville 0-4-0 fitted with a new cab (ex Minitrains Bohler), also by Ian Willetts.

Not running on either layout, as the wheels were too far apart(!) was Julien Webb’s Londonderry & Lough Swilly (ex Clogher Valley) van.  Built some time ago from a Unit Models kit Julien had just replaced the chassis with a new 12 mm gauge Branchlines chassis.

Steve Mann brought along a circuit of Kato track and ran a selection of new stock.  A Dundas FR open that was almost finished.  Some Innisfail bogie coaches in a fetching red & brown livery. A selection of Dundas 4 wheel coaches in green. And his Vale of Rheidol brake van conversion (painted to match the bogie coaches). Also making an appearance was Steve’s 3D printed Talyllyn diesel ‘Alf’, hitching a ride in one of Ben’s Chivers bogie wagons.

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