Thursday 29 January 2009

Naggers monthly meet

Our first meeting since November with the Christmas break ruining our run. However, most of the Naggers turned up, and those that didn't, sent excuses. Some of these were highly suspicious!
As ever, Mr Steffan Lewis produced a wealth of goodies that he's going to be putting on display, once Maindee East is back up and running.
Bernie Baker brought a brace of diesels with him. A Warship (Lima conversion) and a GWR railcar, both of which performed admirably. The Warship had been given the 'unloved' treatment, and Bernie has really captured this look.

Dave Hagger, brought a brace of Bachmann Mk1's that had been converted using a method shown to him by Chris Pendleton. They ran smoothly and steadily and took about 25 mins each to do.

At the beginning of the year (07/01), some of the Naggers ventured across the 'bridge' to Newbury to play with Mr Mick Wakefields layout 'Grantham' - what an absolute thrill. We were treated to seeing Chris Pendleton's Deltic strut its' stuff , and trust me this engine can really strut! Breath taking power and smooth operation, exellent stuff! Micks' layout is a scale mile around, so Chris put an A4 on, with 9 behind and wound it up, last timed for the mile at 156 mph! P4, don't you just love it!! Thanks to Rod Hall for arranging the visit and thanks to Mick for his hospitality. A big thank you to Chris for taking on all comers with the barage of questions that were thrown at him. For a better view of this visit see:
http://www.freewebs.com/nagnag/

Tuesday 13 January 2009

The Orginal and Best and Still Hard At It

Sunday 11th January saw another of the regular monthly meeting for the Crewe Area Group. This month it was my turn to act as host so most of the Crewe area crew turned up as for a pleasant afternoon chin-wag over tea/coffee and chocy biscuits, ably purveyed by my lovely wife. As a previous Blog gave an excellent back view of the group I felt it appropriate that on this occasion you should get the benefit of a front view.

Talking of lovely, the days main entertainment was provided by Don Roland's explanation of the production of his model of the Forth Hotel which is pictured here. It seems he has been doing a bit of sub contracting for the East of Scotland 4mm Group's Burntisland layout. This building stood on the quay at Burntisland, having been the Manse before the railway arrived (or at least the middle bit was), then a railway hotel before the fourth bridge and finally railway offices. In expanding their layout it seems Burntisland will be quite a bit larger than its original 18.83 challenge incarnation because this build has a significant footprint in its own right. Quite what a member of the Knutsford East team is doing producing a model for them north of the border is a question that is perhaps best left un-answered, just remember you saw it here first guys. Don enlivened our afternoon with tails of exactly how be built this excellent model with no more than a ground plan, a few ceiling heights and a few photos.

We also welcomed a new group member, Adrian Prescott. Actualy he has attend some of our meeting before but on this occasion he chose to commit himself by paying his sub. He also brought along a model of an LB&SCR loco in an entertaining mud coloured livery. Regional prejudices aside, it looks a very nice job. It is pictured her with another new CLC coach from Dick Petter. Here in lies a tale. The three CLC coaches which run on Knutsford that I produced, like this one, from Bill Bedford kits, made up six inches over width. This one has been corrected, leading to suggestions that I might like to saw my three in half longways. Hum, well see.

My thanks to John Sherratt for the photos.

Saturday 10 January 2009

Fylde Area Group

Happy New Year!

On Thursday the 11th of December, 10 members were treated to Tony Miller's talk and presentation on 'LNER Goods Traffic'.

We were shown the justifications for goods traffic and detailed background to the traffic flows, especially private owner coal traffic (including anthracite which could run anywhere). This led to details of the LNER wagons built specially for coal traffic, from Diagram 9 through to diagram 188 and the original NE hoppers from 12 to 20 tons (and eventually 40 ton hoppers). Followed by steel traffic around Scunthorpe and Frodingham and some of the specially constructed (war time heavy metal) wagons. Tony then covered details of various yards around the system including the rebuilding of Grimsby fish dock. He then focused on the rebuilt yards just before the 2nd WW at March Whitemoor, then on to Wath and Mottram.

A most informative and enjoyable evening was had by all present - Thank You Tony.

The next meeting is Thursday 15th January, please contact Mike Norris (details on blue sheet), should you require more information.

Saturday 3 January 2009

More Brinkley Boards

Further progress as at 13.00hrs today. Chris and Morgan admiring their handiwork.

The main line has been laid on the new regraded incline... will any loco, apart from my Peak, lift Morgan's coaches... will Graham's locos now storm the bank... ?

Featured in the foreground are the three new loco inspection pits positioned in front of the site of the three road shed - detailing including water cranes etc to be added later.The nearest rectangular hole is the site of the shed and will hold the shed track base which will be fabricated out of plasticard in a similar style to the pit roads.
The two new boards add 2.5ft to the layout, give additional space in the shed yard and enable the gradient on the incline to be changed from around 1 in 38 to 1 in 60.



The new Midland coal stage will be positioned between the tracks at the far end of the board... where the chisel and hammer are positioned, whilst to the left in the photos is the extended headshunt for the goods yard.
Cheers, Robin