JANUARY 2021 - EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS, OPEN DAYS STILL IN LIMBO

The New Year is with us but very little has actually changed on the entertainment and hospitality front as 2021 is heralded in. Looking at the diary of shows they are all being cancelled, one or two are offering a 'virtual show' via Facebook or YouTube but that's not what we were after and appears that 2021 begins the way 2020 had ended without too much hope on the horizon for a reprieve.

Would have been looking at the annual Bristol O Gauge Group (Bogg7mm) exhibition which is traditionally held at the end of January each year, at the University of the West of England (UWE) near Filton. The Bristol group chose to cancel this and will attempt to create an event for January 2022 including seeking out alternative venues if necessary. Sadly this news is common with nearly all the other events in the early part of 2021 having already been cancelled, mainly due to the University policies having changed and the halls are being used for campus needs to incorporate social distancing.

With Greater London and the most of the home counties moving into Tier 4 over the Christmas period it was no surprise that the regular meetings and open days for Hillingdon Railway Modellers are also still unable to be held in the Church Hall. We are struggling to find any events for the next few months that have not already been cancelled, some virtual shows which are nice and covered by You Tube or Social Media but fails to give me the same feeling that is found when attending live events, seeing things up close, and being able to discuss things with the expert modellers. 

2021 Railtours
Difficult to know what is happening on this scene as many things change quickly with regards to the Tier System that the Government have put in place, for I am in Tier 4 so unable to plan or go anywhere for the time being. We will keep a watchful eye on the calendar for 2021 and hope that they can keep running some steam tours around the country. 

Statesmanrail run a series of tours from different locations into and around the Settle - Carlisle route.

While there is another departure at the end of January run by the Railway Touring Co, Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express.

TINKERS PARK -- MODEL RAILWAYS PLUS 2020 GOING AHEAD !!

Saturday 1st August 2020 - Sunday 2nd August 2020

Tinkers Park
Main Road, Hadlow Down
East Sussex TN22 4HS

OPENING TIMES:  Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm
ADMISSION:  Adults £7.00   Children £2.00   Concessions £7.00 

The Tinkers Park Annual model railway exhibition and narrow gauge railway gala is an extremely popular event for children and adults alike. We always aim for that little bit extra, with traction engine trailer rides, music in the Organ Museum and a bus “special” on the Sunday the event really has earned the “plus” in the title! The entrance fee includes rides on steam/diesel hauled passenger trains on Great Bush Narrow Gauge railway; mini passenger carrying railway and traction engine trailer rides. Model Railways plus is now in its twelfth year. The layouts will be exhibited in two halls providing over 11,000 square feet of space with easy access. Our aim is to provide a friendly, interesting show for all. In addition to the model railway layouts the show includes a 2' passenger-carrying railway, 7.1/4" gauge miniature railway (both featuring live steam) and full size traction engines. There is also a fair organ museum on site We will operate a vintage bus service connecting to Buxted railway and Uckfield bus stations. 

On the Sunday only, we are delighted to welcome our local bus enthusiasts, who will be organising free rides to local town on their classic buses. Light refreshments and real ale will be available. Any profits from the show will go to the Claude Jessett Trust and go towards restoration of the Collection and the Tinkers Park site's facilities.

Tinkers Park is situated on the A272 to the east of Hadlow Down village in East Sussex.

List of Layouts Attending:

Doug Dale – Gauge 00/Scale 4mm/ft
Represents a small ex-Midland Railway branch line in the Peak District with quarry set in late 1930s LMS or early BR(M). -- Presented by Brighton Model Railway Club

Brown Bear Bottom – Gauge GN15/Scale 1:24
Snowy Alaskan mining scene -- Presented by Charlie Fox-Wilson

Shillingstone – Gauge 0/Scale 7mm/ftRepresent the station area and goods yard based on the 1902 track layout but changed little between 1902 and 1965. -- Presented by Peter Hollins

The Tramway Arms – Gauge 31/2” / Scale 1:16Recreates the street running scenes of the first generation of British tramways, complete with overhead wires.  Will be exhibited with junction. -- Presented by Tramway & Light Railway Society – Sussex Area Group

Lyndale and Lynwood – Gauge 009A pair of layouts. Lyndale has a single circuit and Lynwood two.  Both feature varied scenes and sidings etc.  -- Presented by Phil Gardner

Johannes Modules – Gauge N/Scale 1:148Modular layout display -- Presented by Colin Cheney

Sillean Model Railway – Gauge NModular layout comprising five varied and imaginative scenes. -- Presented by Neil Ellis

Westfield – Gauge NRepresents a small East Sussex branch line from the 1940s – 1950s era. -- Presented by Andrew Chatfield 

Also a Table-top steam engine display -- Presented by Nick Kelly

Nearest Railway Stations:
Buxted [2.6 miles]
Crowborough [3.49 miles]
Uckfield [4.52 miles]
Eridge [6.47 miles]
MAP

O GAUGE GCR 4-6-0 CLASS B2 / B19 CITY OF LINCOLN. Also known as a "SAM FAY"

Great Central Railway Class B2 (Sam Fay)
[4-6-0] No. 424 'City of Lincoln'

Background

Classified as B2 by the LNER, they were reclassified as B19 in 1945 to make room for the Thompson B2 class. The first locomotive, No. 423, was named "Sir Sam Fay" after the Great Central Railway's General Manager, and the class would often be referred to as 'Sir Sam Fays'.

B2 Class 4-6-0 No 424 built at Gorton in January 1913, becoming LNER no. 5424. Allocated new to Gorton, it was sent appropriately to Lincoln in 1936 but moved again in 1942 to Immingham from where it was finally withdrawn in November 1945.

Dad's Model 
Thankfully I still own this model which was built by my late father Geoff Tyler a very experienced modeller across a variety of scales but spent many happy years creating excellent replica's in miniature in 7mm/O Gauge. Very sadly I don't have the exact details of the kit used, build notes, I really wish I had more information on some of his work. Reseach suggests that both Gladiator Models and Leinster produce O gauge (7mm scale) kits of the B2 'Sir Sam Fay' class, and I would suspect that Dad would have used Gladiator kits as I know that he did others in their range. At least I still have some of his excellent models and able to run them when I can at the Open Days at Hillingdon Railway Modellers. 

Pictures so far not doing it justice so one day in the not too distant future we hope it will be possible to get out and give it a test run at the next available open day, sadly these have not been possible for obvious reasons but as soon as we can we shall get out and take some much better pictures. There will be opportunities at the next available open day at the Hillingdon Railway Modellers club of which Dad was a member so will take this along for a run around their test track and make sure i can update a few pictures of it in action. 

In the meantime I'll leave you with these few.

Seen here on the Hillingdon Railway Modellers O Gauge Test Track

O GAUGE MODEL -- BR CLASS C13 67417

4-4-2T Class C13 Atlantic Tank (O Gauge)
Another of my late fathers O Gauge kits built to LNER / BR design for the Class C13 (ex Great Central Railway Class 9K) Believe it was built and customised from a 7mm scale kit produced by Gladiator. Dad built a number of LNER/BR steam locomotives and several of these would have been kits purchased from Gladiator, having quickly looked at their website they appear to still sell this kit although doesn't have further details at this point in time, sadly. This particular model has been given the number 67417 which represented the last surviving locomotive of it's class during it's BR days. The original locomotive having been scrapped in 1960 some five years after the majority of it's class had already been broken up. You can find further technical details about this model and class by clicking this LINK.
Class C13 Background / History
The Great Central Railway 9K and 9L classes were two related classes of 4-4-2T Atlantic steam locomotives. They were both intended for suburban passenger services and after the 1923 Grouping they served the LNER as classes C13 and C14. The 9K / C13 class was built for the London suburban services, running from the GCR's Marylebone terminus. Their designer was John G. Robinson. The design was based on the earlier Pollitt Class 9G 2-4-2T locomotives, but with a lengthened boiler and a leading bogie to carry it

Within a few years, the timing of these suburban trains was facing competition from electric services. Competing with these required faster acceleration and the more powerful 4-6-2T Class 9N was introduced. From 1922 they were dispersed away from London through the GCR network, to South Yorkshire between Manchester, Sheffield and Mexborough. Most notably, many of them went to Wrexham were they were based successfully until the 1950s. The South Yorkshire engines gradually moved to Gorton locomotive shed, from where they were used on Manchester suburban services, and destinations as far as Hayfield and Macclesfield, later joined by the 9Ls, until they were both replaced by DMUs after post-1955 dieselisation.

All members of the class passed into British Railways service and survived until at least 1952. Eventually being withdrawn between 1955 and 1959. The last No 67417 was scrapped in 1960 and is the subject of the model here as sadly none were preserved.

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS 2020 OPEN DAYS -- OFF TILL FURTHER NOTICE

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

Hello everyone, would have been promoting the next Open Day of this year at Hillingdon Railway Modellers. Sadly due to the current climate and circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus Outbreak these regular events scheduled for 4th April and 6th June have had to be postponed. Our apologies to anyone who was planning to attend. As further news develops we will of course update later in the year with information about future Open Days and other events. 

Click the image for video of test track

Location

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. 

While it's disappointing for us enthusiasts, collectors and modelling experts there are much bigger issues at stake during these worrying times. So please keep following NHS advice, stay safe, be nice, don't panic and I'm sure we'll be back to some sort of normality in the near future. Take care, 'Back Stronger'.

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS 2020 OPEN DAYS -- SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY

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

Welcome one and all, a reminder that we will soon have the first Open Day of this year at Hillingdon Railway Modellers. These regular events are very popular and the opening one for 2020 will be held on Saturday 1st February 2020. Open from 10am there will be opportunities to watch and run on the available test tracks till about 3pm. 

Click the image for video of test track

Location

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. 

O Gauge - A huge room filling oval with 4 main running tracks and 8 road yard so there's plenty of space to give your large models a good run, whether they are small 0-4-0 dock tanks like my Dad's kits (above) or a beast of an LNER A4, GWR West Country or even a BR Diesel they'll not just be very welcome but will look great pulling a full rake of coaches. I believe at least one track is DCC compliant but please check with one of the members who are always on hand to give advice and assistance.  

OO Gauge - usually in the back room but still an extensive operation here the OO gauge test track consists of five oval loops. Three of these loops can be operated under DC only, one of the loops is solely for DCC use and the remaining loop can be operated on DC or DCC, best to check with one of the available HRM Members who are always on hand to help.

N Gauge - Used to have a test track which due to the size needed could pop up almost anywhere, this may well have changed in appearance as the N Gauge side of the club has increased and I'm sure more and more options including a new layout are in progress. 

An entry fee is charged to help cover the cost of the hall rental with the Church, £5 is still good value as you are helping a group of Modellers continue with their efforts and while this isn't an 'exhibition' it is a running day, bring your models along or just have a chat and enjoy the excellent refreshments on offer too.

Nearest Railway Stations:
West Drayton [0.4 miles]
Iver [1.68 miles]
Hayes and Harlington [2.2 miles]
Uxbridge (LU) [2.29 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.

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS 2019 OPEN DAYS -- SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER

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

Welcome again, it's time for the final Open Day of this year at Hillingdon Railway Modellers, these regular events are very popular and the next one will be held on Saturday 14th December 2019.

While I have not been able to attend here for a little while this is a good opportunity to get myself over there and give a few of my Dads O Gauge models a bit of a run out since I've no room for a layout at home and I don't want them to live in boxes forever. I aim to hopefully get there for the afternoon with a few items in my bag to try out and also update a few pictures too. It's always a popular day and doors open to the public at 10:00am.

Click picture for YT video of test track

Address 

Yiewsley Baptist Church74 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. 

Club Events For 2020

Date	Description
01/03/2020	Test Track Open Day
TBA	Other Events through the year
TBA	Will appear here when available

Owing to rental costs of the hall there is a cover charge of £5 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 and Left 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 truly incredible.

Everyone will get their turn to run on each of the test tracks I  promise but it is popular and a queue system will usually operate.

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 2017 and will have recently been making an appearance at the Wigan Show in October 2018 so well done to all concerned getting this large layout out there to be enjoyed by people far and wide.

Grindley Brook was recently seen at the Great Electric Train Show, over last weekend and has been featured in the October 2019 issue of the Hornby magazine which  has an article detailing how Grindley Brook was planned and constructed. 

GRINDLEY BROOK O GAUGE

Grindley Brook Station

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. 

Couple of Dads models (right) , Jersey and Caen simple looking Class B4 0-4-0 engines but plenty of detail and most of all I really like them both. There's a wide variety to be seen on these Open Days. 

THE BUSY OO GAUGE TEST TRACK

LONDON UNDERGROUND STOCK MAKE A WELCOME APPEARANCE

N GAUGE TEST TRACK

N GAUGE BRIGHTON BELLE
SOON TO RETURN TO MAINLINE HOPEFULLY

HOW TO GET THERE:

If you are Travelling by Car

Check here for Parking Options.

Nearest Railway Stations :

West Drayton [0.34 miles]