BRISTOL O GAUGE GROUP 2020 EXHIBITION UWE [BOGG 2020] SUNDAY 26th JANUARY

Bristol O Gauge Group -- 2020 Exhibition
Sunday 26th January 2020

LOCATION (Map at foot of page)
University of the West of England (UWE)
Filton Road, Bristol,   BS34 8QZ

OPENING TIMES:    10.00am -- 4.00pm
ADMISSION:    Adults £9.00
[£7.00 for Gauge 0 Guild members on production of a valid membership card.]

All Wives / Partners & children under 14 are admitted Free.
      
The exhibition is held annually on the last Sunday in January. It is a mix of 70+ traders, up to 10 layouts & demonstrators giving advise on the required skills to fulfil your modelling requirements.

Once again this event supports the Children's Hospice South West charity, in 2019 the show and it's wonderful visitors were able to donate £1,200.00 to this cause so if you can please give generously again this year.

The following layouts have accepted our invitation to attend the 2020 exhibition.
Test Tracks from:-
West Wilts O Gauge Group
Weymouth MRC
Layouts confirmed:- 
Thiswaye from Plymouth O Gauge Group. 

Bridgwater [1904] from Trevor Gibson
The layout is set in the Edwardian period of 1904; with all the stock being kit or scratch built items representative of the glorious Prussian blue days of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. The buildings and structures are accurate models of the prototypes, built from drawings and photographs and are scratch built from laser cut mdf and plastic. Operations are to a sequence representing, in compressed form, a typical days working on the branch during the golden age of the S&DJR.
Stodmarsh from Kevin Cartwright
Tony's Forest from Robin Edwards

Laramie Engine Terminal from Peter Kirmond.
Laramie Engine Terminal is an O Scale model railway layout depicting a part of the Union Pacific Engine Terminal at Laramie Wyoming as it was in the late 1950s.

In the hot summers of 1957 & 58, the Union Pacific’s Big Boys (amongst the largest steam locomotives ever built) were brought out of store for their final moment of glory pulling massive trains from the Californian fruit harvest east over Sherman Hill between Laramie and Cheyenne in Wyoming. This layout aims to capture what it was like fuelling, watering and turning these monster beasts for this 50 mile each way shuttle. The layout is built by Peter Kirmond (with a little occasional help from friends).
Potters Quay Foundry from Chris Bolton
Franklin from Bob Harper
Stodden Hundred Light Railway 
1930's presented by Andrew Jones of Luton MRC. The Stodden Hundred Light Railway is a depiction of a rural railway on the borders of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, in the mid 1930s, just before everything changed with World War 2. Serving the market town of Kimbolton and the villages of Pertenhall and Swineshead, this is a branch off the main line which runs from the iron ore pits around Kettering to Great Barford near Sandy, where connections are made with the LNER and the LMS.  Being an economically stretched railway, the SHLR had to make do with cast off locomotives and passenger coaches from the more major railways or industrial users.

GETTING HERE:

Nearest Railway Stations:
   Filton Abbey Wood [0.63 miles] 
   Bristol Parkway [0.92 miles] 
   Patchway [2.01 miles] 

Maps;
Please use the NORTH ENTRANCE, using the Coldharbour Lane entrance will take you into the main University complex which is ONE BIG 1 way system, and you will end back where you entered.  Note that Car Parking on Sunday is Free. 

THE ROBERT BURNS UK RAILTOUR -- SATURDAY 25th JANUARY 2020

THE ROBERT BURNS RAILTOUR
Saturday 25 January 2020
The anniversary of the birth of the renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns on 25 January 1759 is celebrated worldwide as Burns Night. Despite his short life of just 37 years, his evocative verses and heart rending songs like Auld Lang Syne earned him recognition as the greatest Scot of all time in a television survey in 2009. With Burns Night falling on a Saturday, it seems only right to dedicate an excursion train to the memory of the great man. So here is a ‘Winter Wonderland’ excursion designed to lift you out of the winter blues. Take a trip over the Pennine Hills where arguably the scenery is at its most dramatic in winter, complete with some snow on the hills (not guaranteed, but very probable!). At time of writing it's unclear if this is a Steam hauled trip or just a Diesel service, suspect the latter given the route past Stockport if we get more information will update.

Destination York

Starting at Euston and calling at Watford, Milton Keynes and Northampton, our journey takes us via Stockport. Here we veer right, taking a route that was once an important passenger-carrying link towards Guide Bridge. Changes in the pattern of train services mean that this today is a freight line, with local stations enjoying (?) just a nominal service of one or two trains a week, retained to avoid the time-consuming and expensive closure procedure.

At Stalybridge the gradients begin as we experience views across the wild terrain for which the Pennine Hills are famous. Climbing past Diggle we reach the summit at Standedge and enter the West Riding of Yorkshire. The views continue through Slaithwaite to Huddersfield. We gaze out across the wasteland that was once the extensive Healey Mills marshalling yards before passing Wakefield Kirkgate and Castleford, reaching the great city of York at lunchtime.

YORK SEEN FROM THE AIR

York is a destination that makes perfect sense at any time of year. Obviously the National Railway Museum (free of charge) is right next to the station, while on the opposite side the city walls, the Minster, the little shopping streets of the Shambles and plenty besides are just a few minutes’ walk away.  A portrait of our immortal bard hangs outside the Burns Hotel, a welcoming little pub at 23 Market Street. You have around three and a half hours in York before rejoining the train for the homeward journey.

Our chefs have a passion for food with a Scottish twist. Dining guests will be served a full Scottish breakfast on the outward journey, with a similar theme running through the four course dinner. There will be haggis on offer (freshly caught of course) but this will be purely an option as we know that this is very much a matter of taste.  Personally love it!

All timings are provisional and intended only as a guide.

Station	Depart	Arrive
London Euston	08.20	21.35
Watford Junction	08.40	21.10
Milton Keynes Central	09.10	20.35
Northampton	09.35	20.05

CHILTERN MODEL RAILWAY ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION JANUARY 2020

Chiltern Model Railway Exhibition
Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th January 2020

LOCATION
The Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre
Lytton Way,  Stevenage,
Hertfordshire   SG1 1LZ

OPENING TIMES: 
SATURDAY 10.00 - 17.30     SUNDAY 10.00 - 16.30
ADMISSION:  Adults £10.00    Children £4.00 

This is a well regarded exhibition with over 30 excellent layouts covering many scales, gauges and prototypes, many demonstrations and society stands plus first class trade support. The show is held in two halls on one level with an area of 2,000 square metres. The venue is conveniently located opposite the Stevenage railway station on the East Coast Main Line and also near the bus station and town centre. It is close to affordable car parks. Please do not park at the Leisure Park itself as penalty charges are enforced.

If arriving by train, proceed via the direct link by the footbridge at first floor level between the railway station and the Arts & Leisure Centre. If coming by car, follow the signs to the station. The Arts & Leisure Centre is on the other side of the dual carriageway opposite the station. There is ample local parking available close to the venue at very reasonable prices. 

This is the much extended replacement of the former St Albans exhibition now in its fourth year in its new home in Stevenage. The 2019 exhibition received much acclaim and, despite being held in a sports and bowls hall complex, it has acquired an intimate and friendly atmosphere. The venue was designed to be able to hold such events and boasts modern facilities with good lighting. The gangways within the exhibition are reasonably spacious and there are no gloomy corners. The exhibition is all on the single level ground floor and is fully accessible to wheel chair users. Periscopes will be available as an aid to viewing layouts for children, those in wheelchairs and any others who may be vertically challenged. Hiring is free bur requires a small returnable deposit. There will be an area of special interest to children and the young at heart.

Refreshments will be available in the exhibition and there are further facilities in the coffee bar, which also provides light meals and is next to the Box Office on the first floor. There is a lift available between the floors.

List of Layouts Attending:
Aerodrome Park by Peter North. A Southern Electric 1930s art deco terminus in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00).

Bastogne Rue De Clervaux  [image left] by Phil Coulton, Post 2000 Belgian terminus/through station in 3.5mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (H0)
Bee Road by Gerard Pearson, 1960s BR (M) West Midland terminus in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)
Brinklow by the Milton Keynes MRS, BR Midland through station in 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N)
Burntisland by the East of Scotland 4mm Group, 1883 North British Railway terminus in 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4).
Docklands by Andrew Jones, 1950/60s East London with early diesel traction in 7mm/ft scale 32mm gauge (0).
Dublingham Goods Station  by Tony Harris, Dublo 3 rail BR Goods station in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)
Eight Dollar Canyon by the Carshalton & Sutton MRC, Octagonal North American layout in 3.5mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (H0).

Feldspar by Ray Taylor & Anna Bass, (right) a table layout BR 1960s in 1:148 scale 9mm gauge, showing what can be done even with a small space to work with (British N).
Fintonagh by Dave Holman, Irish 3ft gauge roadside tramway in 7mm/ft scale 21mm gauge.
Frampton on Severn by Dave Fryer, 1950s BR (W) branch terminus in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00).
Freshwater by Ian Morgan, BR (S) Isle of Wight terminus in 2mm/ft scale 9.42mm gauge (2mm fs)
Gosberton by the Spalding MRC, 1950s BR (E) mainline through station in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00).
Harlyn Pier by Peter Beckley, 1960s BR (S) ex LSWR Cornish seaside terminus in 7mm/ft scale 32mm gauge (0).

Hatch End (above) by Andy Stephney, 1980s North London BR and LT overground in 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N)
Hedges Hill Cutting exhibited by the N Gauge Society, 1990s NSE South London suburbia in 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N).
Heybridge Wharf by Mike Corp, Fictitious Suffolk light railway scene in 3mm/ft scale 14.2mm gauge (3mm fs).
Johnstown Road by the Barrowmore MRG, 1908 Cambrian Railway Tanat Valley line in 7mm/ft scale 32mm gauge (0).
Little Colne by Peter Vestey, 1950s BR (E) North Essex branch terminus in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)
Little Salkeld by Paul Moss, 1960s Settle Carlisle line through station in 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N).
Middleton by the de Havilland MRS, 1930s LNER Tees Valley branch line terminus in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00).
Mothecombe by the High Wycombe & District MRS, South West coast BR (W) through station in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00). Located on the South West coast between Salcombe and Plymouth this fictitious ex GWR station, with SR running rights, is being superbly constructed, under supervision, by our Junior section and has also been used to form part of our Junior Member’s skills learning for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Nonsuch by Derek Reeve, Novelty Tudor mouse railway in 7mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (0-16.5)
Orange River & Portland by the Hallellujah Players, 3ft narrow gauge American terminus in 15mm/ft scale 45mm gauge (Fn3).
Paradise Mining Co by Christopher Payne, Minimum gauge SW American mineral railroad in 1:25 scale 16.5mm gauge.

Ryders Green Wharf by Peter Cullen, Late 1950s West Midlands industrial scene in 4mm/ft scale 9mm gauge (00-9) it represents a distribution point for engineering works in Birmingham and includes a branch of the Birmingham Canal. Look at that silty, muddy canal.(Image above)
Sandmarch by the Stevenage & District MRC, Extended continuous run through station in 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N).
Shabbey Road by the de Havilland MRS, Fun layout featuring Underground Ernie stock in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)
Slindon Vale by the South Downs Group; 7mm Narrow Gauge Association West Sussex narrow gauge scene in 7mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (0-16.5)
Soller by Chris Hales, Very loosely based on the Spanish Mallorcan line in 1:220 scale 6.5mm gauge (Z).
St Frazal D'Ardeche Nm by Piers Milne, Chemin de fer du Vivarais tourist line in 1:160 scale 6.5mm gauge (Continental Nm).
Teesside Steel by the Royal Air Force Kinloss MRC, 1950/60s Industrial iron and steel works in 7mm/ft scale 32mm gauge (0).

Trinity Dock Street Bridge (above) by Gavin Rose, 1939 atmospheric industrial winter scene in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00). Trinity Dock Street Bridge is a fictitious location based on Railway Street in Hull, where the road and railway crossed the channel between Humber and Railway docks in the ‘Old Town Docks’ in the city. The model is set on a dull, dank and chilly day, February 6th, 1939, with the south easterly not only bring the ‘sea rogue’ up the ‘umber, but the threat of war on the near continent. 

A second tightly curving spur was added to give a bit more operational scope. This serves the fictitious ‘Trinity Dock’ after which the street and model is named. The ‘Bridge’ part of the name comes from the (non-operational) double leaf asymmetrical bridge to the left hand side of the model.
Vale of Maentwrog by Paul Bason, Echoes of the Ffestiniog Railway in 4mm/ft scale 9mm gauge (00-9)
Wemblesden Park by Dave Bentley, North London mid 1980s electrified WCML in 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)

Nearest Railway Stations:
Stevenage [0.07 miles]
Knebworth [3.31 miles]
Hitchin [4.33 miles]
Watton-at-Stone [4.75 miles]

MAP

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS -- OPEN DAYS AND EVENTS FOR 2020

http://www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk

Happy New Year to you all. 

Just a heads up, as a follower of the good people at Hillingdon Railway Modellers shall continue to promote and support them with their regular open days, running opportunities and some appearances at exhibitions throughout 2020. Hope you can get along to one of their open days throughout the year and enjoy seeing quality O Gauge modelling at work as well as test tracks for both OO / N Gauge too. Even though I am personally no longer a member am so pleased to see this excellent group flourish and expand. Hopefully they'll also be at some of the bigger exhibitions this year and hope to be able to call in as a guest and run some of my late fathers models as they all need a run not good just sat on display. 

Keep up the great work guys, All the best. 

Their first Open Day will be 1st February from 10am. 

Club Events For 2020

Date	Description
1 February	Test Track Open Day (10:00 to 15:00) - To be confirmed
4 April	Test Track Open Day (10:00 to 15:00) - To be confirmed

Any amendments or additions to the above we will update throughout the year.  All the best for 2020.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 [ENERGY, POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND TRAINS]

Oh yes it's time to kick off another year, a big welcome to 2020 and may it be twelve amazing months for you and yours. 

Last year had not really worked out to plan so might be best to just leave it be and move on. Have been growing my small N Gauge collection again as well as still running a few of Dads models I own when I can at open days and running nights at local railway clubs. Still enjoy that as well as visiting heritage railways and therefore the plan for 2020 will be to indulge in that more. While also considering a change of scene might do me the world of good and would be looking at a move down towards the south coast depending on how work turns out. We look forward towards the new year where we'll still have plenty of railway and modelling related events and days out to plan for and enjoy. While this blog has outlived its original remit, which was to highlight and focus on my late father's models, I enjoy it and plan to keep it going for as long as I can with hopefully more news and events throughout the year as well any more days out I can manage. Still need to rearrange trips to places like Swanage during 2020 now that the line is connected to Wareham so can get there by Train, also really fancy a few days in York and a trip to the National Railway Museum plus hopefully Blaenau Ffestiniog would be great ideas for long weekends away this year. We also expect to see more of friends and family as well as attend a few exhibitions and open days too if we can. All this would help if work was better for me too, and if I can get back to enjoying life rather than the grind of train strikes and commuting. Whatever happens make it fun, enjoy life and travels be entertained and indeed entertaining too in all you do.

Hope you enjoy a wonderful year throughout 2020.