THINKING OF YOU ALWAYS MUM Xx [25/02]

Always missing you promise not a day goes by now when I don't think of you. Love you loads, you brought us into this world and then had to leave us I have some comfort that you are reunited with Dad and hope that one day soon I will be with you both again. Wishing you a Happy Birthday Mum. Xxx

It saddens me that I don't have many more pictures of you to enjoy, but at least I have some lovely ones from your wedding day to Dad hung on the wall at home which helps me when I am low. I know you didn't like having your photo taken anyway, much like myself, just wished I had a few more x. 

MUM AND DAD WEDDING 1961

Love you so much, always in my heart, so sad that you had to leave us so early, you would have been a great Grandma to Graham's boys and so proud of Sue now enjoying life in Australia with James and Hannah. I will be visiting the Hanworth Crematorium Rose Gardens on the weekend. Xxx

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS 2018 OPEN DAYS -- SATURDAY 17th FEBRUARY

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

Welcome to 2018 and it's nearly time for the first open day of this year at Hillingdon Railway Modellers, these are popular regular events and the first will be held on Saturday 17th February 2018.

Although it feels like a while since the last one it's good that they are here again, the open day is a great chance for myself to give a few of my Dads O Gauge models a bit of a run out as I've no room for a layout at home and I don't want them to live in boxes forever. Will hopefully get there for the afternoon with a few items in my bag to try out and given them a run as it's always a popular day and doors open to the public at 10:00am. 

Club Events For 2018

Date	Description
17 February	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
7 April	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
9 June	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
25 August	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
27 October	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
15 December	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)

Address 

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 are always plenty of refreshments available, Tea, Coffee and cold drinks for the youngster, in addition the freshly made bacon rolls are highly recommended. (just don't scoff them all before I get there!!)

It should be stressed that these ARE NOT exhibitions, so please 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 previous open days 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 I only wish I had some of their talents and skills.

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.

I hope that these pictures give a good indication of the size of the O Gauge test track, you can give your models a really good work out here. This formation can also transform into an exhibition layout called Grindley Brook a scenic section replaces the long straight down the back.

This layout was shown at the Warley show at the NEC Birmingham in November last year and will no doubt be available for display during 2018 again. 

A few more pictures from some of the previous Open Days, though they mostly focus on the O Gauge track there are also Test Tracks available for OO and N Gauge too. There are many society members on hand who are both extremely friendly and knowledgeable too so if you have any problems with modelling or questions they will be more than happy to try and help i am sure. 

THE BUSY OO GAUGE TEST TRACK

LONDON UNDERGROUND STOCK MAKE A WELCOME APPEARANCE

N GAUGE TEST TRACK

BRIGHTON BELLE IN "N". SOON TO REAPPEAR ON MAINLINE TOO

HOW TO GET THERE:

If you are Travelling by Car

Check here for Parking Options.

Nearest Railway Stations :

West Drayton [0.34 miles]

FESTIVAL OF BRITISH RAILWAY MODELLING - DONCASTER EXHIBITION CENTRE

Saturday 10th February 2018 - Sunday 11th February 2018

LOCATION:
Doncaster Exhibition Centre,
Leger Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN2 6BB

OPENING TIMES:  
SAT 10am-5pm,   SUN 10am-4.30pm

ADMISSION:  
Adults £9.00  Concessions £9.00  Children £4.50   

The Festival of British Railway Modelling returns to the Doncaster Racecourse on 10th-11th February 2018 for its 22nd year with another premier event for hobby enthusiasts, novices and families to enjoy.

BUS SERVICE: 

A FREE shuttle bus service will be running approximately every 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday between Doncaster Railway station and the venue. The bus will leave Doncaster Interchange C6 (Turn right after Costa [Station Concourse] and W.H. Smiths, walk along the concourse to the end. Turn left over the Pelican Crossing into the Bus Station)  First bus from the Railway station will be 8.30am and the last bus from the venue will be 5.15pm each day.

Visitors can enjoy browsing over 30 handpicked layouts with a 'Best of British' theme and purchase must-have items in a variety of major scales, era and gauges from over 80 quality traders. There will be expert demonstrations, giving you an opportunity to enhance your modelling skills. Whether you're new to the hobby or looking to stock up on essentials, the Doncaster Show offers something for everyone.

List of Layouts Attending :

Broom Junction - EM
Empire Mills - EM
Hope-Under-Dinmore - EM
Liverpool Lime Street - EM (Below)
 

Barton Road - N
Brixham Bay - N (Image Left)
Caverswall Junction - N
Kineton - N
Ludlow - N
Shirebrook - N


Ashbrook Dale - OO
Canons Cross - OO
Devenport Road - OO
Georgemas Junction - OO
Greenside Vale - OO
Midhurst Road Junction - OO
Much Murkle - OO
New Bryford - OO
Norwood Road - OO
Rowntree Halt - OO
Thorne Yard - OO (Below)
Worlds End - OO

Bolton Priory - O
Kirtley Bridge - O
Lough Motive Power Depot O
Webb's Wharf (GWR) - O

Fullers Wharf - O- O-15 (Left)
Sidmouth - P4
The Bridge - T
Hallam Town - 2fs

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD, THINKING OF YOU ALWAYS X

Love and miss you Dad xx


Dad would have been celebrating his 84th birthday today, I so wish he was here, not a day goes by when I don't see his image or think about him in some way. My life changed forever in a way I couldn't not imagine when you were taken from us, I so wish you were here now to advise me, admonish me, and keep us safe.

I'll never forget what you did for me, Dad you should be happy and at peace knowing that Graham and Susan turned out so well and have brought up an amazing family, Sue especially as she copes with life in Australia with James and Hannah I regret not having the mental strength to follow their example and make you proud. I will raise a glass to your memory, and will never stop loving you and wishing you were here now. 


Love you loads, missing you always and forever xXx