MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

So this is Christmas, and what have you done?
Ok so I didn't do as much this year as I would have liked but hey it's over now and officially 2016 has been a big load of pooh. We need 2017 to get here fast now and then we can crack on with a new start.




While this blog started out as a small 'tribute' to my Dad and his modelling skills (and it still is) I have moved that on to supporting the local railway societies and some of the many heritage railway services around the UK. Have plans to visit several more of these in 2017 too, the likes of Swanage, York and the Welsh town of Blaenau Ffestiniog are on the agenda. 

Missing you so much Dad.

You always fulfilled my wishes, giving me whatever I wanted. Your presence in my life I had taken for granted. After your death my whole world has gone into a frightening void. When I had you, I had it all, now everything is destroyed. This is my repentance, my regret, I know you cannot hear me, but I still want to say, Dad I miss you and I'm sorry ... We had so much still to do together and despite the years that have passed I find it so hard to carry on without your love and influence. 

I think for many this year has not been that wonderful we sure lost a lot of friends and legends so it's time to remember and never forget. Let us also move forwards to the new year, life is only as good as you make it and you have to let yourself live too, although this is something I don't allow myself and it is now time to do more, stop making excuses and get out there. 

























Let's remember the wisdom of the late Rik Mayall as we venture towards 2017. 

• All men are equal therefore no one can be your true genuine superior.
• It is YOUR future, It is yours to create, your future is as bright as you make it. 
• Change is a constant of life, So you must never ever lose your wisdom. 
• If you want to live a full and complete human life you have to be Free. Freedom is paramount. 
• And finally ... LOVE IS THE ANSWER.

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS OPEN DAY -- SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER

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

Looking forward to our final open day of the year at Hillingdon Railway Modellers which is being held on Saturday 17th 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 2017 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 popular 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.

People will bring a wide variety of stock to run, nearly all are kit built though and the skills / detail is incredible.

Everyone will get their turn I promise.

This picture gives a good idea of the size of the O Gauge test track, you can give your models a really good work out here. This can also transform into an exhibition layout called Grindley Brook a scenic section replaces the long straight down the back. 

HOW TO GET THERE:

If you are Travelling by Car

Check here for Parking Options.

Nearest Railway Stations :

West Drayton [0.34 miles]

THE SHERBORNE CHRISTMAS CAROL RAILTOUR

The Sherborne Christmas Carol

Thursday 15th December 2016

This special train will be hauled by two former London Midland & Scottish Railway Black 5's steam locomotives. It starts from London Victoria Station and picks up more passengers along route at Staines, Woking and Basingstoke.

Departure from London Victoria Station is scheduled for around 08:45 behind our splendidly restored steam locomotives. We pass through Clapham Junction, crossing the Thames at Barnes Bridge, and continue to a stop at Staines to pick up more passengers. We then join the South Western Main Line (SWML) at Byfleet Junction, and then stop for further passengers at Woking and Basingstoke. 

Leaving the SWML at Worting Junction and take the West of England Main Line to Andover and Salisbury. At Wilton Junction the line becomes single track. We cross the edge of Salisbury Plain and pass through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Tisbury and Gillingham in Dorset. We cross Gillingham Viaduct and pass through Buckhorn Weston Tunnel before Templecombe, where once the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway passed beneath our line.

The main destination for our train is Sherborne, one of the most beautiful towns in England. The historic market town, where King Alfred was educated, will be decorated for Christmas. It has much to offer visitors with its abundance of medieval buildings, superb Abbey, picturesque Alms house, the ruins of a 12th-century fortified palace, and the 16th-century mansion known as Sherborne Castle. It has a delightful shopping centre with a large choice of handcrafted goods and elegant fashions and has become an important town in the region for Art and Antique Dealers. Whilst at Sherborne, why not join in the traditional Christmas Carol Service held in the splendid surroundings of its ancient Abbey.

Passengers have the choice of alighting at Sherborne or continuing with the train to Yeovil Junction where the steam locomotive will be turned and serviced at Yeovil Railway Centre. Here there is excellent viewing of these operations, which use one of the few remaining turntables in the country. There is also a variety of rolling stock and an exhibition of railway artifacts and pictures in the Engine Shed. A shop on the platform provides a large range of railway related goods and souvenirs.

Train Timings
Approximate timings shown;

THE READING O GAUGE TRADE SHOW -- 10th DECEMBER 2016

Guildford 0 Gauge Group
  - The Reading 0 Gauge Trade Show




Saturday 10th December 2016
At the Rivermead Leisure Complex,
Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire RG1 8EQ

OPENING TIMES:  10am - 4pm

ADMISSION:  Adults £4.00
      
This is a Trade show for members of the public who model in 0 gauge and anyone who is planning to start or have an interest in 0 gauge model railways. It is hoped to have at least 95 trade stands selling kits, ready to run, infrastructure, materials, etc, and there will also be a large test track.

HOW TO GET THERE:
If Travelling by car then use RG1 8EQ for your Sat-Nav
Also note that metered car parking will be in operation and you will therefore need 5 x £1 coins for a full day.

Car parking is entirely within the control of Rivermead Leisure Centre and not the group. You will need to enter your car registration number into a machine. 
NB - Rivermead Leisure Centre will not be making any refunds of parking charges.

Nearest Railway Stations :
Reading [0.61 miles]
Reading West [0.63 miles]
Tilehurst [2.17 miles]
Earley [3.31 miles]

Please check with National Rail Enquires for up to date details on your journey; Search National Rail Enquiries

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