Reports and Blog

16 made it to the meeting (pic001).

Paul Atkin (pic002) was working on a laser cut book end kit made of laser cut plywood (Pic003). He has also bought a Kato Chibi Railway set. Various ideas as to what to do with the powered coach and unpowered locomotive were shared.

Also working on projects were Adrian Hall, Mike Bartleet and Andy Smyth (pic004).

Adrian was working on a Campbell Scale Models Idaho Spring Mine kit for his HOn3 layout. Mike was working on some Peco NG7 kits, again laser cut plywood. Andy was building a pair of loco sheds –  laser cut kits from Peco for Boston Lodge in 4 mm scale (pic005).

Dick Johnson was planning a new layout. This used the Grainge & Hodder baseboards from his old layout, along with some scenic modules from his old layout. He had brought a baseboard along, with the ‘tin tabernacle’ scene for some inspiration and discussions. He also had one of the new Bachmann Ffestiniog passenger brake coaches in yellow & crimson livery, and a Peco ‘bowsider’ coach in the victorian livery (pic006).

Colin Capel brought along a selection of HO and HOe stock which ran on his new oval test track (Pic007). Unfortunately I wasn’t quick enough to make notes of what the stock was!

Ben Powell brought along a Kerr Stuart ‘Superior’ build from the Golden arrow kit but running on a Farish 08. Apparently it was a case of ‘3rd time’s the charm’ as on previous visits the running had been less than desired.  With perseverance Ben had traced the issue down to misalignment in the frames.  It was able to pull a rake of Chivers steel open wagons on Neil Davies’ test track (Pic008).

Ben had also brought along his scratch built Peckett 0-4-2ST ‘Dwarf’ and Narrow Planet 20ph Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-0 which, along with Neil’s Fourdees ‘Leeds No.1’ and LKM V10C diesel from Narrow Planet (Pic009) also got run.

Joseph Jacks showed us progress on ‘Dol-fach’, that now was some more scenery along with a station building and name board (Pic010).

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 17 made it to our March meeting(pic001) marking the 30th Anniversary of the groups foundation.

John Walker brought along his DCC Layout (pic002) and gave his sound equipped Double Fairlies (pic003) and Mainline Hunslet a run.

Dick Johnson made a welcome return to meetings after his recent illness. Dick also brought his layout Tren Bach. Bachmann Quarry Hunslets ‘Dorothea’ and ‘Holy War’ circulating with a selection of stock (including the Purple Moose special!). Dick also showed us a rather nice Welshpool & Llanfair coach he had purchased from 009 Sales (pic004).

Dave Rowley brought along a small test track. A Kato England ‘Exmoor Pony’ in southern livery (pic005) ran during the meeting. Dave also had a 3d printed Lister Autorail pushed along by a Kato powered wagon (pic006).

David Churchill had brought along his work tray and spent the meeting detailing up a 3D printed GANZ locomotive (pic007).

Andrew Bizley brought along his layout “St Michael’s Town”. Scenic work on the layout has progressed well – in fact it looks almost finished! (pic008).

Paul Walton brought along his ‘wedding cake’ layout The ‘Tehachet Butte F&C Railway’. It has been built onto the circular base for a wedding cake.  The the cake base set is also set on a stand to allow easy eye-level viewing. Paul has used MinitrainS stock but in an American setting, and a series of cameo scenes make the layout look much bigger than it is (pic009).

Ian Willetts brought along his ‘scenified test track’ (pic010) and ran a variety of stock. One was a Bachmann Hunslet Dorothea (pic011).  A Paul Windle ‘Leeds 2/3rds’ on an N-Drive chassis (pic012) also ran.  There was also a 3d printed Fowler Diesel on a Farish class 14 chassis (pic014).

Charlie Forbes brought along his articulated steam railcar set (pic015), now painted in a read and cream livery. Charlie also had a snowplough and steam tram loco (pic016).

Neil Davies brought along his test track and a selection of stock. These included a Kerr Stuart Sirdar (by Paul Windle), 3d printed goods van and a brake van. This had been ‘kit-bashed’ from an Inoxion models print (pic017). Neil had also bought along an Inoxion W&L coach and Bachman Percy chassis (pic18),. His Kato Portram was used by Julien Webb to demonstrate how to extract the power bogies (pic019). Julien also discussed how to modify them to run independently.

Steve Mann was working on some new cassettes made from aluminium angle (pic020). Testing them were a Fourdees Corris No. 4, Bachmann Baguley Drewry and Lilliput 4 wheel diesel.

Geoff Harper ran his latest loco – a Short Run Batch 0-4-0st Peckett.  Geoff has spent some 7 years of work on and off (mainly due to issues with Geoff’s eyesight).  Now it’s at the stage of heading for the paint shops (pic021).

Joseph Jacks spent the meeting working on his Dol-fach project (pic022). Scenery on the layout is advancing well (pic023).  Even in its current state one can see the scenes, like the ‘gateway to adventure’ (pic 024) are developing well.

Alec Matthews brought along his layout “Port Ciaradh” (pic025) as a work in progress and did some test running with a selection of stock (pic026 & 027).

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17 made it to our February meeting(pic001).

Neil Davies brought along his test track. He ran a War Department Hunslet 4-6-0T.  This was a Langley white metal body on a Mintirix chassis he had purchased via Facebook. It pulled some 3d printed stock from Inoxion models (Pic002).

Ben Powell also made use of Neil’s test track for his Monarch 0-4-4-0T. It pulled his Admiralty combination car now in a red and cream livery (Pic003). Ben also ran a pair of Golden Arrow ‘Superior’ 0-6-2 tanks and Kerr Stuart Skylark “Ridcully”. Ben also had a Leek & Manifold transporter wagon. This was a 3d print from Stuart Taylor (Pic004) also got a run.

Alec Matthews had been busy designing and making 3d printed items. First was a Ruston diesel based on the Tal-y-llyn ‘Midlander’ (Pic005). Alec also made a freelance 0-6-0 tender loco – an “Alistair McEnzie Type 2 “Long Boiler”” of 1875 (Pic006).

John Davies made a welcome return to the group after recent health issues. He brought along a selection of 12mm gauge locos. These were a Clogher Valley No 3 ‘Blackwater’, County Donegal No 15 ‘Phoenix’, Pingueley bi cabine and Cf d’ Corse diesel. there were also coaches – Schull & Skibbereen 1st/3rd composite, all 3rd and enclosed 1st class saloon, and Cavan & Leitrim passenger brake van. And wagons – Cavan & Leitrim milk van and horse box, Lough Swilly box van and horse box Tralee & Dingle box van and butter van. (Pic007) For fun he had also built some “Chariots a foudre” wooden cask wagons to run on St Fayre Rhianne. (pic008 & 009).

Joseph Jacks had been busy testing some ideas. First of these was a short length of track ballasted then ‘weathered’ with grass (Pic010). He also had the original version of ‘Dol-fach’ (pic011) and a revised version (Pic012), all being displayed with a selection of Tal-y-llyn stock.

Mike Bartleet was hard at work making more On30 box cars from Mount Blue Models kits (pic014) alongside Adrian Hall (Pic015) who was working on a HO scale sawmill (pic016) for his HO/HOn3 modular layout, adding working lighting amongst other details.

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17 made it to our January meeting.

Joseph Jacks brought along ‘Dol-fach’, his mini layout based on Dolgoch. He is looking into mounting the layout in an Ikea ‘Eket’ storage cube.  This will make a self contained diorama with LED lighting (Pic001, lighting provided my Joseph’s phone).

Colin Capel brought along a selection of HOe stock.  This included some standard gauge wagons on transporters.  He did a few repair jobs during the meeting.

We had a number of test tracks available.  It was a little difficult to keep up with all the traffic but here goes!

Ian Willetts’ track saw a pair of Bachmann N scale Percy locos recently bought by Julien Webb.  Ian’s own W&L Upnor Castle diesel (a 3d printed body on Tomix chassis) got a run.  So did his Tyneside Models 3d printed Kerr Stuart Diana on an F&C chassis. He also had a Fourdees ‘Jubilee’ Peckett, (another F&C chassis). Finally  a ‘Dorothea’ Bachmann quarry Hunslet (Pic003). They were joined by Ben Powell’s pair of 009 Society Hudson toast rack coaches.  Ben also had some Bachmann Ffestiniog coaches he had been sent for review. These were a ‘Tin Car’ and Brake Third No. 2 in Yellow & Crimson livery (pic004).

Ben Powell had also brought along his larger radius multi-gauge test track.  His pair of Kerr Stuart 0-6-2 Tanks (Pic005), built from Golden Arrow kits, went through their paces.  Ben also showed with an Admiralty combination car in grey primer.  This had been built from a set of Worsley Works etches (Pic006). Kevin Wright also used Ben’s track to run his WW1 open Simplex. this had been made from a modified 3D print and ran on a Tsugawa chassis (pic007)

Neil Davies also brought along a test track and a selection of stock. First a tiny 3D printed loco (Pic008) based on a Kerr Stuart ‘Wren’ and running on a Tsugawa/Tramfaberike Koppel C chassis stole the show. It just about managed one of the Bachmann Review coaches (Pic009).  But it looked more at home with a rake of skips (Pic010). Neil had also been busy making carriages, bringing along a recent finished Fourdees Corris coach (Pic011).

As well as lots of active on the various test tracks we also had a number of members making models.

Matthew Tozer  was working on some 3D printed Vale of Rheidol wagons and printed 009 couplings for his Fox Valley railway (Pic012). Unfortunately I managed to miss photographing his an Ashover Baldwin and coaches by Bachmann.

Mike Bartleet spent the evening building a selection of the new 7mm scale laser cut plywood wagon kits from Peco (pic014).  Alongside,  Andy Smyth was working on some 4mm scale Peco kits for loco sheds based on those at Boston Lodge.

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17 made it to our December meeting (Pic001).

Geoff Harper was repairing his Backwoods Miniatures Barclay 0-4-0T.  He was fitting tiny keys made from brass wire to the wheels to stop them rotating on the axles (Pic002).

Joseph Jacks brought along his Mini Dolgoch layout (Pic003). Currently it is awaiting the arrival of some bogie stock to set the running clearances. He also had a Fourdees 3d printed diesel (Pic004).  Also 3d printed model of Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 ‘Fiji’ running on a Farish 08 chassis (Pic005).

Will King brought along some of his 009 stock that had a run on Steve Mann’s test track. They included his vertical & horizontal boiler deWintons, Bagnall 0-4-0IST (Pic006) and mcEwan Pratt 10 hp petrol loco (pic007).

To run on his own test track Steve Mann brought along a selection of 3D printed locos that were making their way through the workshops. These included an Upnor Castle on a Tomytec HM-01 chassis, a Simplex on a Tsugawa 16A chassis (Pic008) and a Fourdees ‘Prima’ on a Kato ‘England’ chassis (Pic009).

Steve’s test track also saw David Churchill’s HOn30 railcar.  This had been built by Garry Whiting from a Railways Recollections kit (Pic010).

Neil Davies brought along ‘Alfriston’, his Sussex based layout for some test running to establish clearances. Not doing things by half he had asked Julien Webb’s 2-8-0 ‘Victoria’ to do the honours (Pic011 & 012). She was assisted by Charlie Forbes’ scratch built 2-4-0+0-4-2 Garratt (pic014).  The garratt was based on the Ceylon H1 loco built on a pair of Dapol 14xx chassis. Neil also ran some of his own stock. Shown is a Kerr Stuart 60hp diesel (Pci015) . Also a Vale of Rheidol break coach conversion (combining the Dundas coach and brake van kits). Acompanying is a 4 wheel open coach made with the bits left over from the conversion (Pic016).

As well as the garratt Charlie Forbes had brought along his latest steam railcar (Pic017) based on Sentinel designs. It is powered by a Halling motor bogie Charlie had made the bodywork from Ratio Midland Railway coach sides.

Paul Atkin brought along his 00-6.5 layout made from a Rokuhan Z scale shorty micro layout kit. It’s now looking like Paul has finished it (Pic018).

Continuing the micro layout theme was Mike Wall’s “Saturday Nite at the Duckpond”.  Built into a box file and featuring a couple of photographers (Pic019).

Andy Foster brought along Hartland (pic 020), but any running was stymied by a pints failure outside the signal box.

Alec Matthews brought along his current harbourside layout project that as yet has no name (pic021). He also brought along some stock. Shown is a Paul Windle 0-6-2 ST and 2 Eggerbahn ‘Fiery Elias’ coaches. These have been refurbished with 3d printed parts including a brake conversion (Pic023).

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16 made it to our November meeting.

Dick Johnson brought along “Tren Bach”. Dick had made an addition to the wildlife in the form of a dragon on the hillside. I’m not sure the local shepherd will be too happy though! (pic001)

Several members took the chance to run stock on Dick’s layout. First was Andy Foster’s articulated railcar (pic002) a purchase from 009 Sales.  Ben Powell’s latest Kerr Stuart 0-6-2T (pic003) also ran. Built from the Golden Arrow kit for the Bowater’s /Sittingbourne & Kemsley ‘Superior’. Ben had modified to fit an outside frame Farish 08 chassis. Later it ran with a train of stock built from Chivers kits for his Gasworks project (pic004).

Joseph Jacks showed progress on the Tan-y-Bwlch FR station building he brought along last meeting. It was in a basic colour scheme, but Jospeh was debating what colour to paint the woodwork. His Mini Dolgoch Layout has also had a makeover with a new baseboard and brass Japanese diesel (pic005).

Colin Capel brought along a Liliput 2091 diesel loco.  He also had a selection of HO stock including a couple of transporter wagons. It looked like some work was going on with these (pic006) but I missed the chance to find out what.

Andrew Bizley brought along a selection of stock and some Kato Unitrack. He had been weathering the trackwith a view to using it for a rabbit warren layout (pic007).  Surprisingly the WD Baldwin went around the circa 5″ radius curves!

Dave Rowley brought along some of his latest 009 builds. I didn’t get the chance to get any details but I did manage to take a photograph (pic008)!

Tim Williams brought along his latest project. This was a working 4mm scale Lartigue Monorail. Track consists of 3d printed A frames with the rail stripped from some Peco 009. Locos are also 3d printed, with power provided by on board batteries and controlled by an RC system (pic009). Stock was also 3D printed. There are still some teething problems to overcome.  These include reliable pointwork turntables, a lack of traction with the loco’s and making them look more like the prototypes.  As a ‘proof of concept’ it’s looking promising though.

Matthew Tozer had brought along some tools (pic010).  He spent the evening building a Dundas kit for a pair of Hudson bolster wagons. These had progressed well by the end of the meting (pic011).

Mike Bartlett was working on a few projects (Pic012). These included a number of On30 box cars and flat wagons from laser-cut wood kits. However I didn’t managed to get the full details.

Adrian Hall was also using the meeting to do something practical. He spent the eving painting a HOn30 Cache Reek Climax loco (pic013).

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15 made it to our September meeting.

Joseph Jacks brought along his Mini Dolgoch Layout which has progressed sice we last saw it (Pic001). He had also built one of the new Peco laser-cut kits for Tan-y-Bwlch Ffestiniog Railway station (Pic002).

Paul Atkin was adding some scenery to his Rokuhan layout (Pic003).

Colin Capel brought along a poorly Liliput U class loco. With the collective knowledge of the group and a strip down the loco revealed that the running was due to a broken pick up support (Pic004), a common issue with this version of the loco.

Dick Johnson brought along Tren Bach. It ran a variety of stock during the evening but our photographer managed to catch Holy War (Bachmann model from Dick’s stock box) on a train of open coaches alongside Mike WAll’s VW based railcar (Pic005).

Mike Bartlett was working on a few projects (Pic006). A T&S ‘Colonial wagon’ in 7mm scale was getting some finishing touches. Mike was also putting a number of Kit Wood Hills 14 foot On30 reefer vans together.

Alec Matthews had started a small layout based on the Fiddletown & Copperopolis concept in HOn30 (Pic007) with a working title of ‘The Papoose’. Stock do far consists of a Minitrains 0-4-0 loco and 3d printed stock from Chris Schmuck (Pic008), with buildings assembled from home printed card kits.

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16 made it to our September meeting.

Alison and Stan Summers were at their first meeting. Stan brought along one of the new Bachmann NG7 quarry Hunslets.   Alison built a single plank wagon from the 009 Society kit. (Pic001).

Paul Atkin (pic002) was working on a small layout. This was a Z gauge ‘shorty’ from Rokuhan in Japan and had come with a small bogie chassis. Paul has added some larger scale scenery to make a HOf / 00 6.5 layout (pic003).  He’d  added a 3d printed diesel body on the z gauge chassis (Pic004).

At the other end of the size spectrum was Charlie Forbes’ latest purchas. A big red 16 wheel diesel from Garry Whiting’s collection.  This had been built from (several) Dapol Baguley Drewry kits (see Pic003). He also ran a selection of stock on Steve Mann’s Goodmannton (Pic005).

Andrew and mum Isobel brought along a new layout (Pic006), named “St Michael’s Town” in honour of  Mike Bizley.  Andrew took the layout on as a work in progress. He and Isobel have done much to it.  

Neil Davies brought along a section of Alfriston (Pic007) and spent the meeting wiring up it’s control panel.

Alec Matthews had been busy with the CAD package & 3d printer. First up was a Manning Wardle A class 0-4-0ST as a static model with full details (including valve gear). Though standard gauge the loco is tiny and could easily pass as narrow gauge. Alec was working plans for a 3′ 6″ gauge Newfoundland Railway layout in HO scale (HOn42?) using 12mm gauge track. The bogie carriage was very impressive, dwarfing both a Grandt Line ‘Box Cab’  (also 12mm gauge) and the Manning Wardle (Pic008). Alec also brought along a recent eBay purchase.   A very nicely built County Donegal Class 5 loco built from a Backwoods Miniatures kit. (Pic009).

John Walker brought along is 009 layout and DCC controller (pic010). This allowed him to run one of his Double Fairlies along with mainline hunslet Blanche.  Both locos have DCC sound, and pulled a selection of stock.

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18 attended the May meeting (Pic001).

Colin Capel brought along a 2091 and 2095 class H0e Diesel locos  along with a couple of bogie coaches and some transporter wagons with standard gauge loads. (Pic002), which due to the curves on the available layouts were restricted to Colin’s length of straight track.

Neil Davies brought along his Kato Unitrack set up (Pic003). On it he ran his Fourdees ‘Little Isaac’ with a Ffestiniog style brake van and some Fourdees wagons (pic004). Neil also showed his now finished Fourdees ‘Secunda’ with his repaired Paul Windle ‘Sirdar’ (pic 005).

Also making use of Neil’s test track was Mike Wall. Mike’s latest purchase was a RNAD Diesel loco in lined maroon livery (Pic006).

Bob Taylor had brought along his ‘test track in a box’. This allowed his Bachmann Blanche in Penrhyn livery a chance to stretch her legs/wheels (pic007).

Dick Johnson brought along ‘Tren Bach’ once more. There seemed to be quite a bit of action on the layout.  I must admit  however that I managed to miss it all and only took a quick snap as Dick was packing up to go home (sorry Dick!) (Pic008).

Mike Bartleet brought along his recently purchased Bachmann NG7 Quarry Hunslet ‘Una’ (Pic009).  Mike also continued working on his On30 oil depot.

Matthew Tozer was another using the meeting to ‘get something done’.  Matthew finished painting up some more 009 Fox Valley railway stock (3d prints from T&S Models). He also had an 0-16.5 china clay wagon for the Harburn China Clay Company (pic 010).

Joseph Jacks showed his current project – a mini Dolgoch layout (Pic011).  This has been inspired by Sven van der Hart’s diorama layouts.  It will give a home for Joseph’s collection of Talyllyn locos and stock.

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17 attended the May meeting (Pic001).

Dick Johnson brought along ‘Tren Bach’. This saw a variety of trains including Dick’s own ‘royal train’. It was double headed in the traditional manner by Bachmann Hunslet ‘Alice’ and an Ali-Shan bogie diesel (Pic002). Andy Foster got the opportunity to run a West Clare Railway bogie diesel (pic003). It had been purchased from 009 Sales, ex Garry Whiting’s collection. Mike Wall made a welcome return to a group meeting. His Minitrains 0-4-0ST Baldwin – the modern version rather than the 1960’s one – running on ‘Dick’s ‘Tren Bach’ (Pic004).

Neil Davies brought along his new test track and gave some of his stock a run. First was a Fourdees ‘Secunda’ on a Kato ‘England’ chassis (pic005). Following was a Sentinel bogie steam railcar from 009 Sales. This was a Model Engine Works print on a Kato chassis from Garry Whiting’s collection (Pic006). There was also a 3 car set that escaped the photographer’s lens.

Ian Willetts made use of Neil’s test track, running a Fourdees 0-6-0ST Peckett (an eBay purchase). Ian also brought his Barclay 0-4-0T (Westcliff Works print on Bachmann Percy chassis). A bogie tank wagon modified from an old Triang chlorine tanker finished of his selection(Pic007).

Another ‘user’ of Neil’s test track was Joseph Jacks. He’d brought along a Fourdees Tattoo in the process of being modified to fit an N drive chassis (Pic008). This joined a Westcliff Works Barclay with N-drive power. With a Narrow Planet RNAD bogie crew van and Ian Willetts’ stock a train was made up (Pic009). Joseph had also brought two home 3D printed models of “Scamp’. This is a 7 1/4 ” gauge scale to 1:15 and running on a Kato 11-109 chassis (Pic010).

Ben Powell’s own modelling has been on hold during his recent house move, but he had purchased a standard gauge Dapol Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST in Marston, Thompson & Evershed livery (Pic011) with an inordinate amount of detail, especially in the cab.

Paul Atkin brought along his cutting mat (Pic012). During the evening he worked on some 009 Society cattle van kits. Also, a 4 wheel coach was made up of parts from an Airfix brake van. This ran on a lengthened 009 Society RNAD chassis.

Also breaking out their cutting mats (Pic014) were Mike Bartleet (right) and Adrian Hall (Left). Mike was working on an On30 oil depot while Adrian tackled the bunk houses from a Sierra West logging camp.

David Wilcox brought along his layout Dolserau and Tony Land. Whilst I missed the main action I did manage to get a snap of the layout (pic015).

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