MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Another year over
and a new one just begun...

Another Christmas, another sad time for many who have lost loved ones. I hope that you are all well and spending quality time with family and friends. 

It's been a busy year, one that personally I am glad to see the back of, and plans are in place for next year to keep busy, keep Dad's memory alive to some degree, visit some more locations including York and North Wales which I will be sure to update here. 

Have a good time over Christmas and all the best for the New Year and whatever 2016 has in store for us all may it be full of fun, happiness, friends and love. Love IS the answer.

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS OPEN DAY -- SAT 19th DECEMBER 2015

http://www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Looking forward to another open day at Hillingdon Railway Modellers being held on Saturday 19th December, so bring your best XMAS models, maybe some mince pies.

It's the last event of this year but I'm sure they'll be publishing dates for 2016 soon on their website (link in the header above). I will hopefully get there for the afternoon with a few smaller items in the bag to try out as it's always a busy day and doors open to the public at 10:00am.

Yiewsley Baptist Church
74 Colham Avenue
West Drayton
UB7 8HF

* the entrance is at the side of the church down a path and the doors at the end should be open, don't try and enter the main doors of the church. 

Owing to rental costs of the hall there is a cover charge of £4 but there will be two extensive O Gauge and OO Gauge Test Tracks available and have recently added a three track N Gauge circuit too (Pic Below) all up and running so if you have anything you wish to see get a good run do please come along.

N GAUGE TEST TRACK 

There will be refreshments available, the bacon rolls are highly recommended. There is an entrance fee of £4 to cover the cost of using the hall for the day.

It should be stressed that these ARE NOT exhibitions, so bring your own locos and rolling stock to run. At busy times we may have to introduce time slots so that everyone can get a chance to operate their stock. Here's a short clip of one of the earlier open days YouTube LINK

Below you can see a busy picture of their 8 road yard in O Gauge it's a very extensive track and will give your models a very good run. A few photo's taken from the last open day are below, if you read back to some of the earlier postings in this blog I have tried to show the variety of excellent models on show, these guys are truly experts in their craft.

HOW TO GET THERE:

If you are Travelling by Car

Check here for Parking Options.

Nearest Railway Stations :

West Drayton [0.34 miles]

EXHIBITION -=- BLYTH AND TYNE MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY (DEC 12-13)

Welcome to Rail Ex North East 2015 organised by the Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Society. 

The Exhibition will be held on the weekend of 12th & 13th December 2015.

10am to 5pm Saturday & 10am to 4pm Sunday

This will be their 47th show and continues to grow, this is the first exhibition to be held at the Quorum Business Park. 
The Exhibition will be officially opened by David Bavaird, Chairman of North Shields Chamber of Trade. There should be around 40 layouts, with a wide variety of scales, theme's and locations from around the world, a list of these can be found further down. 

In addition to the layouts and models there will also have 14 Demonstrations, covering most aspects of modelling and displays in Meccano. Also this year we have numerous layouts and demonstrations showing the latest technology in Model Railways – Digital Command Control (DCC). Please take your time to visit all parts of the Exhibition, and ask the exhibitors as many questions as you like. There's also a fine array of Local and National Trade support this year, supplying the railway modeller with just about everything they need, so please give them your support. 

Once again there shall be a modelling area for all children sponsored by Smart Models. All children will be able to construct a free card building and be able to take it home with them. We respectfully ask all parents to assist in the supervision of their children during this task.

     List of Layouts Attending :

Z – N Gauge. 

1) Marsh Chipping – BR(W) 1960's 

2) Just Four – BR Modern Image 

3) Magram – BR Modern Image 

4) Morpeth – BR 1970's 

5) Tanners Hill – BR 1990's 

6) the Letchsberg - Swiss Epoch V 

2mm 

1) Kirkham Abbey - BR(NE) 1964 

2) Waton - Br(Privatisation) 2010 

3mm – HO Gauge. 

1) Felsen – German 1950/60's 

2) Maloja – Swiss 2000 

3) Antwerpen Oostkaai – Belgian 1990's 

9mm – 4mm/ft (009) 

1) Avyn-A-Llyin – Welsh NG 1940's to 50's – 

Em Gauge 

1) Weslo Steels - BR(W) 1975 

OO Gauge 

1) Project Iraq – Iraq 2003 

2) Thistlemere – BR 1980's 

3) Beamish Town – Museum 

4) Rumbling Bridge – BR(SC) 1960's 

5) Midhurst Road Junction – Southern Railway 1930's 

6) Georgemas Junction – BR 1997 – 2004 

7) Hewisbridge – BR(SC) 1957 to 1963 

8) Penna Lane TMD – BR 1970's to Present Day 

9) Hornby Dublo 3-Rail – 1938 to 1964 

10) Billingham – BR(NE) 1960's 

12) Kepier Colliery - BR(NE)/ncb 1960's 

O Gauge. 

1) St Marnock Engine & Ladeside Diesel Depot – BR(SC) 1960's 

2) Invergeachy – BR Scotrail 1995 to 2008 

3) Thorne Hill Colliery – BR(SC)/NCB 1950's 

4) Lochty Lane – BR 1970's 

5) Apethorn Junction - BR 1970's 

6) Seaton - Ner/LNER/br 

7) Craster - BR(NE) 1950/60's

HAMPTON COURT MODEL RAILWAY SOCIETY. TOLWORTH SHOW 2015

Sat 14th November 2015 - Sun 15th November 2015

Tolworth Recreation Centre, 
Fullers Way North, Tolworth, 
Surrey KT6 7LQ

OPENING TIMES: 
SAT 10am to 5.30pm, 
SUN 10am to 5pm

ADMISSION: 
Adults £6.00 Children £3.00 Family £15.00

The 25th Show of the Hampton Court Model Railway Society will again feature layouts displaying superb modelling and entertaining operation. 

There will also be comprehensive Trade support. One area is dedicated to American modelling. Children can drive the trains on one layout. Bus link from Surbiton station, see website for timetable after 1 October. 

SUNDAY Child admitted FREE with every paying Adult. 

Hampton Court Model Railway Society proudly presents their 25th Annual Show, Tolworth Showtrain on the 14th and 15th November 2015. We are pleased to announce that the special SUNDAY promotion of ONE CHILD being admitted FREE with every PAYING ADULT will continue.

As is customary there will be a layout which our younger visitors can operate. Large layouts are a feature of this Show, and there will be a large '0' gauge layout.

The layouts cover a very wide spectrum this year, with Norwegian, German and Austrian prototypes. from nearer home there is an Irish layout, which is one of a number that depict scenes from the thirties, or earlier, Calstock Halton Quay taking us back to Victorian times. 

The post steam era in this country is not forgotten either.
The American Hall will have a selection of layouts featuring the railways of that continent. 

The Trade features a very wide selection, with some new Traders this year.

List of Traders Attending: 

Steam Powered Video

L.S.W.R. Models
Roxey Mouldings
C and L Finescale
Model Railway Developments
Golden Arrow Productions
Southern Drawings
Weston Models
Boxfile Dioramas
Sunningwell Command Control Ltd
Kent Garden Railways
Steam Age
Country Park Models
Barry Jones
Tools 2000
Addlestone Model Centre
Videolines
Carriage & Wagon Models
Geoff Gamble Books
Winco
Wessex Wagons
Masterpiece from Falcon Figures
Wealistic Models

List of Layouts Attending:

Snake Bend Railroad - 2mm - 9mm - U.S.A.
Lemmington Park - 3.5mm - 16.5mm - U.S.A.
Pine Bluffs Freight Yard - 3.5mm - 16.5mm - U.S.A.
8 Dollar Canyon - 3.5mm - 16.5mm - U.S.A.
Kayreuth - 2mm - 9mm - Db
Brixcombe - 4mm - 18.2mm - GWR
Bodmin - 4mm - 18.33mm - GWR
Ynysafan - 4mm - 16.5mm - Rsbr
The Sub Wealden Gypsum Company, Hoath Hill - 3mm - 14.2mm - BR SR
Oldshaw - 4mm - 18 MM - BR Wr
Salz - 3.5mm - 16.5mm - Austrian
Calstocks's Halton Quay - 7mm - 16.5mm - East Cornwall Mineral Railway
Glenuig - 4mm - 18.2mm - BR Scr
Lambourn - 2mm - 9.2mm - GWR
Arigna Town - 7mm - 36.75mm - Irish
Sand Point - 4mm - 9mm - British
Old Elms Road - 4mm - 16.5mm - BR SR/wr
Ashington - 4mm - 16.5mm - BR SR
Normandy Junction - 7mm - 32mm - British
Kew Bridge - 4mm - 16.5mm - London Tramway
Clydach Railway - 4mm - 9mm - Narrow Gauge
Woodstowe - 4mm - 16.5mm - BR Wr
Edwards Junction and Thomas End - 4mm - 16.5mm - Sodor
Svanda - 3.5mm - 16.5mm - Norwegian
Sankley - 4mm - 18.2mm - BR SR
Addiston South - 4mm - 18 MM - BR SR


HOW TO GET THERE
Nearest Railway Stations:
Tolworth [0.74 miles]
Chessington North [0.8 miles]
Surbiton [1.23 miles]
Chessington South [1.38 miles]


MAP

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS OPEN DAY PICS

http://www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Had a wonderful day out at the Hillingdon Railway Modellers Open Day which was held on Saturday 31st October, extremely well supported as always and a nice variety of models on display around their extensive O Gauge Test Track. 

Our first couple of pictures attempt to show the size of this test track, 4 main lines with an 8 line "fiddle yard" area. The layout can be easily adapted to an exhibition standard design of similar area, known as Grindley Brook when appearing in that guise as it did at this years Railex show.

To hopefully give a better view and perspective of the size of this running layout I have been able to upload a couple of short videos taken on Saturday. These are available via You Tube here>> Video1 / Video2

There is also a small (Yes of course it's small silly) N Gauge running track available and the OO Gauge was busy too. 




Since my afternoon was spent enjoying the O Gauge display I didn't have that many photo's of these this time around. 







Some wonderful models on display, here's a few that I managed to capture for posterity, note these ones aren't mine but I'll bore you with those later...

Ok here's a few of mine, only able to take a couple of loco's down to the church on the weekend as travelling by buses, the first here I believe is a Great Central Railway Class B2 (ex Class 1) also known as a Sam Fay ... though I don't know fully the background to 'why' it's just something I read on some Railway Modeller forums. Anyway will have a lot more on this one in a separate posting soon, will be researching the history too.
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1294/entry-16473-city-of-lincoln-part-i/

Must also add that the refreshments on offer are awesome too, a bacon roll should never be turned down, and just another good reason to come back again for their final Open Day of this year which will be held on Sat 19th December. 

Will conclude this update with a final few pictures of a pair of my favourite models, Jersey and Caen. They may be small in stature but they do run well albeit slowly, and trotted around the test track in their own good time. 

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS OPEN DAY -- SAT 31st OCTOBER

http://www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Looking forward to another open day at Hillingdon Railway Modellers being held on Saturday 31st October, so bring your best Halloween models. 

Will have a few smaller items in the bag to try out as it's always a busy day and doors open to the public at 10:00am. 


Yiewsley Baptist Church
74 Colham Avenue
West Drayton
UB7 8HF


* the entrance is at the side of the church down a path and the doors at the end should be open, don't try and enter the main doors of the church. 

Owing to rental costs of the hall there is a cover charge of £4 but there will be two extensive O Gauge and OO Gauge Test Tracks available and have recently added a three track N Gauge (Pic Below) up and running so if you have anything you wish to see get a good run do please come along.

N GAUGE TEST TRACK 

There will be refreshments available, the bacon rolls are highly recommended. There is an entrance fee of £4 to cover the cost of using the hall for the day. 

It should be stressed that these ARE NOT exhibitions, so bring your own locos and rolling stock to run. At busy times we may have to introduce time slots so that everyone can get a chance to operate their stock. Here's a short clip of one of the earlier open days YouTube LINK

Below you can see a busy picture of their 8 road yard in O Gauge it's a very extensive track and will give your models a very good run. 
 

HOW TO GET THERE:
If you are Travelling by Car

Check here for Parking Options.

Nearest Railway Stations :

West Drayton [0.34 miles]

WEEKEND AWAY TO SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY PART TWO

www.svr.co.uk

The second part of our trip on the Severn Valley Railway finds us arriving into Bridgnorth and taking in the wonderful views of the town and the peaceful banks of the river itself, time for a spot of lunch and then a relaxing journey back to Kidderminster. 

It's a 16+ mile trip following the river for most of the way and well worth a visit, even if you not a fan of heritage steam railways, the scenery and beauty of this region is worth it. 

Leaving Bridgnorth SVR station you find yourself high above town with good views of the River Severn itself, a walk around the footbridge and down the incline sets us up nicely for a Sunday afternoon lunch down by the river. 

After a relaxing walk by the river and spot of lunch we need to think about heading back to the station for the return journey, however I don't fancy the steep walk back up so am thankful that the good people of Bridgnorth in 1892 saw fit to build this.

<<<

Bridgnorth Cliff Railway 

The Bridgnorth Cliff Railway is a funicular railway linking the Low Town of Bridgnorth, adjacent to the River Severn, with the High Town, adjacent to the ruins of Bridgnorth Castle.

It is one of the steepest railways in the country, and at least one source (the information panel outside the top station) claims it is both the steepest and shortest, capable of carrying 18 passengers at a time up/down a height of 111 feet. 

The journey may only take a little over a minute, but sure saves a steep walk up the lanes to arrive back to the summit. 

A VIEW FROM THE TOP

A short walk back to the SVR and time to have a look around the station area, if there's one down side to this heritage site it's that there's not a lot of access to see other loco's and stock on show, some of it is parked up in the station but out of reach to the casual visitor. 

For instance why they have this here I do not know, get it on display or undercover, why it's surrounded by a pile of bricks?

The "Catch me who can" was built by Richard Trevithick locally some 200 years ago and this is clearly an attempt at a replica but it's just left out in the yard so at least put it on display and not leave exposed to the elements? 

 Similarly this apparently is the SVR attempt to build a "new" locomotive, a Class 3MT 2-6-2 Tank none of the originals survived so this is a unique opportunity, not on the scale of the Tornado project, but has some similarities. 

Found more information on this project at this site - http://www.82045.org.uk/

The Diesel shed at Kidderminster, the yard here at Bridgnorth. I know they have the "Engine Shed" at Highley but we don't all have the desire to decamp there on the way out/back. 

There's surely scope to run shuttles to Bewdley and back or brake van rides in Kiddie, with the spare platforms and spare head-shunt capacity, anyway there's probably a reason for it and I guess it's to do with Health n f***ing Safety as usual. 

Well overall I've had a great weekend, it's sure worth a visit and definitely stay a day or two to enjoy the Severn Valley in all it's glory.

JOURNEYS END ONCE MORE

WEEKEND AWAY TO SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY OCT 3-5 2015 PART ONE

www.svr.co.uk

This year is the Severn Valley Railway's 50th Anniversary as a Heritage Railway site, and since a lot will have changed since I last paid a visit some 30+ years ago as a teenager with my father I think a return trip is long overdue. 

For a start I recall we staying in a B&B in Bewdley which was the end of the line at the time (back in the 1980s), now I am able to stay in Kidderminster itself and enjoy the new features that the "new" terminus will have. Its also handy that I will be travelling up from London and only need to make the one change at Moor Street. 

READY TO DEPART FROM MARYLEBONE

Our journey starts on Saturday morning with a ride up on the Chiltern Line from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street, from there we'll catch the local service up to Kidderminster itself. I could have taken a quicker route on the ECML but the Chiltern service is much more pleasant and I'm in no rush so will sit back and enjoy the scenery.

ONE OF SEVERAL CLASS 50's ON SITE

Saturday was day three of their diesel gala so plenty of Class 50s, shunters, a Deltic and more. Thankfully Sunday is back to a steam service for us, that's what I come to see.

YES A WESTERN, Albeit a small one...

 

The Diesel engine shed at Kidderminster had several shunter's on display. 

Sadly couldn't get any closer than this as I was on board a train at the time. 

SUNDAY

Today spending the day out on the SVR taking the first train out from Kidderminster at 10:30. The £19 ticket for a day rover pass is excellent value and includes entry to the Engine House visitor centre based at Highley. 

Our outward journey to Bridgnorth was headed (in reverse) by West Country Class No. 34027 "TAW VALLEY". 

Looked in fantastic condition and a tribute to the hard work of the many volunteers that keep this, and so many other, heritage lines going strong. 

'Taw Valley' left on time at 10:30am in superb October sunshine along with her eight blood and custard coaches in tow, gently passing the main line and away towards the first stop at Bewdley. 

As I mentioned the last time I was here would have been over 30 years ago as a teenager with my father.

The line only ran as far as Bewdley - Bridgnorth then and we stayed in a hotel beneath the viaduct here as far as I recall. 

Plenty of waiting passengers for this the first trip of the day, and the service soon filled up ready for the off towards Arley. I've uploaded a short video to YouTube for the trip from towards Highley though does have all the turbulence and noise to be expected as I was in the first carriage behind the loco. Click HERE for the link. 

As we approach Highley we pass by their "Engine Shed" heritage museum, a popular stopping off point for many and about half the train decamped here to have a browse. 

For me I had plans to tour round Bridgnorth and relax by the river so I remained on board as we pushed on towards Hampton Loade and our final outward destination. 

In Part Two of this blog we'll cover the rest of the afternoon and the return journey. Should also include a few pics from my meandering wander around Bridgnorth itself, the Cliff Railway and it's views from the summit.


Hopefully plenty more photo's too.