From our northern correspondent #3

Posted on December 22, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

And the last selection from Manchester…..

Dewsbury Midland (OO)features accurate scratch built models of many buildings from the West Riding of Yorkshire near to Dewsbury, and is a fine example of a landscape with a railway in it.

A final exhibition appearance for “Grantham – the Streamliner Years” (OO) depicting this well-known location on the East Coast mainline in the period 1935-1939, allowing the iconic streamliner trains to be run.

Laramie Engine Terminal (O) depicts a part of the Union Pacific Engine Terminal at Laramie, Wyoming, as it was in the late 1950s.  Large models of large locos!

Remaining in the USA , New Sharon (On2) models the Maine 2ft narrow gauge.  A simple track layout, small locos, and some beautiful scenic work.

A single view of Culthwaite (N), set on the Settle-Carlisle line north of Appleby.

And finally, Three Cocks Junction (EM).  A close to scale model of a station on the Cambrian Railway’s mid Wales section at the junction with the Midland Railway line from Hereford to Brecon and Swansea. The period is set at around 1907.

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ESNG meeting – 14 December

Posted on December 20, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Before returning to Manchester, there’s an ESNG meeting to report.  A respectable seven members turned out to run trains and eat mince pies.  I got around to running my gunpowder train.  I had completed renumbering the last of the ESNG 21st anniversary wagons, and added some delightful Rapido ‘almost Minks’.  Note the ‘G.Fawkes, Westminster’ van.  This is a good example of how to market a ‘joke’ wagon – make it look plausible, unlike many of the other offerings around.

  

There was a good selection of other trains on show….

And a final (probably) Stuttgart photo.  Our empire is top right in the distance.  Lots of N gauge from here to there.

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From our northern correspondent #2

Posted on December 18, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

More from the frozen north! 

Bron Hebog (OO9) was probably the best layout in the show (a difficult choice as there seemed to be such a fine selection.)  An expansive layout captures trains in the landscape near Beddgelert station on the Welsh Highland Railway.  And some lovely rolling stock…

In contrast, the historic Dundreich (OO9), possibly the first narrow gauge layout ever built.  It is the last surviving remnant of P D Hancock’s ground breaking Craig & Mertonford Light Railway, started in 1949 (and rebuilt several times.)

Staying with history, the Ffarquhar Branch (OO) is the original Thomas layout. It is almost 80 years old and is normally housed in the museum at the Talyllyn Railway.

Continuing with the ‘retro’ feel, Leighmoor Bois (OO) is unashamedly 3-rail Hornby-Dublo, and none the worse for that!

Last for today, the Manchester “Big Trams” (5/8”/ft, track gauge: 2 7/16”).  

One more set of photos to come.

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From our northern correspondent #1

Posted on December 16, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Our northern member, Paul Rowlatt, paid a visit to Manchester Model Railway Society’s show, celebrating 100 years of the club.  It looks fantastic – a lot of old friends of layouts there, but a number that I’d have love to have seen for the first time.  I’ve unashamedly borrowed these photos from his Facebook page.

We’ll start with Copenhagen Fields (2mm finescale), that continues to have more detail and areas modelled.

Port du Crozon (1:50) is Gordon & Maggie Gravett’s new layout. It’s as good as all the others!

St Ruth (2mm finescale) is based on Penzance.

And good to see the late Iain Rice’s Trerice (P4) in good running order.  A minimum space interpretation of the Wenford Bridge line.

Another old friend in Copper Wort (OO) modelling brewery railways in Burton on Trent.  I understand that the builder has sold the layout on, but I hope that it continues to go to exhibitions – it’s inspirational.

More next time.

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ESNG meeting – 14 December

Posted on December 15, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

I seemed to have taken a week off from blogging – it’s been busy and I don’t seem to have had much to say.  (At last he’s realised, I hear you say.)

But it was a busy running day on Sunday.  Eleven club members, one junior, and one visitor.  So busy that I was able to leave after setting things up, and return later after singing Christmas carols in the local shopping centre.  So I just took photos of the last few trains on the tracks.

But Brian captured much more of the afternoon.

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Potpourri #1134

Posted on December 8, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

To start today, Derek sent me a couple of Stuttgart photos.  This one shows all our empire, and all the ESNG crew – including a full set of Healy’s.  I seem to be admiring all that beer (or what’s left of it, anyway.)

And those pesky unicorns.  I’m not convinced by the livery on the pink one….

I’ve always liked the Southern Region MLV parcels units.  And especially in ‘jaffa cake’ livery.  Ian Docwra captured this one heading from Woking to Dorking.

I often wonder whether some wagons are in real liveries, or made up ones by the manufacturer.  Here’s proof that Birds Eye containers existed, passing through Great Yarmouth.  Perhaps I need to collect a full train of them, rather than one or two in my container train?  Some fine road vehicles in the picture, too.

Whoops!

And modelling challenge of the day.  No moving parts, but a change of running rails for metre-gauge trains entering the platform.

Back to my youth – EPB units in Orpington sidings in 1976.

And another modelling idea – Epping (where else?)

NCB Maesteg in 1969. I’ve no idea why!!!

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ESNG meeting – 3 December

Posted on December 6, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Definitely one of those evenings.  We ended up with seven members present, but didn’t run any trains.  I was going to be late due to a family birthday meal, which was cancelled, but I was still late as I remembered to print out a bank statement for the treasurer.  By the time we got to six members it was approaching 8pm, so hardly worth getting everything out.

Graham then turned up, and it was good to see him, as he had been out of action with a gammy leg for a few weeks.  In the photo, he is not wearing the latest ESNG headgear, but a few paper towels after splitting his head open getting out of the car.  Hair is so useful, if you have it!!

However, we did talk for two-and-a-half hours, so the evening was hardly wasted!  (Or maybe, very profitably wasted?)

Perhaps this is a good point to post Chris’ photos from the Brockenhurst club open day….

And a North London running day.

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Stuttgart 2025 – 4 – Bonus post

Posted on December 4, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Last year, Derek and Allan visited the Stuttgart tram museum.  They met a young helper there, Alexander, and promised to contact each other in 2025.  We were going to visit the museum on the Monday, but Alexander offered a visit on Friday evening, complete with a tram ride.  We jumped at that!  Originally eight or nine were going to join the visit, but in the end it was just the three of us who drove into Stuttgart – a surprisingly easy run at the end of the evening rush hour.

Entering the tram museum, there’s an impressive array of vehicles ahead of you.  Most are metre gauge.  The Stuttgart SBB tram/LRT system is now standard gauge, but two metre gauge lines have been preserved as dual gauge for running the old preserved vehicles.

A selection of the many trams on show.  Our guide Alexander knew all about all of them!

We then boarded the Christmas tram and were taken twice round the block.  A short trip, but fun to do.  Our drivers were Stuttgart SSB drivers, who had come in specially for our little trip.  I suspect they just like driving the old trams.  Unfortunately the mugs on the table didn’t have gluvine in them.

The ‘live’ section of the museum is on a higher level, and we were able to look around the trams not normally seen by the public.

And finally, a view of the (in)famous Party-Wagen.  Not used for at least 20 years (as the interior colours resemble a 1930’s decor), there would certainly still be a demand for it, partying along the line and bopping on the rather small dance floor.  I can’t say I’ve done anything like that, unless carol singing on the top deck of an open top Hong Kong tram in 1991 counts? 

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ESNG meeting – 30 November

Posted on December 2, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Back to reality with an ESNG meeting, the Sunday afternoon delayed due to certain members being abroad.  A fair turnout of eight members ran a few trains, sorted out the Stuttgart finance, and dozed in chairs.  A few trains did run…..

And here’s Brian’s video of the afternoon.

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Stuttgart 2025 – 3

Posted on November 30, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

So to a selection of the other exhibits.  The modules and layouts below were made by professional model makers – Italian I think.  There is some fantastic modelling here, especially the canal lift and the ships.

The Zeppelin is towed out of the hanger, and retreats again.  Rather more spectacular than my airfield!

Another set of modules that I’ve seen before, but always worth a look.

The fun tram/LRT layout behind us….

There’s usually a set of single-track NCI modules on show.  Again, I’ve seen them before, but all lovely modelling.

And finally, a few other modules….

Sunday night, we were packed away and back in the hotel in record time.  We spent a quiet day on Monday, recovering.  An early start Tuesday beat most of the Stuttgart commuter traffic and across Europe and onto a tunnel train an hour ahead of schedule.  A tragic accident on the M20 closed both lanes around Ashford, so we came back through Tenterden and up the A21 – but it was a 3 hour journey rather than and hour and a half.  Still, we’re safely home.  Allan dropped my modules back home on Wednesday, and they are back in the loft awaiting a little maintenance. 

So, till next year.  Tiring, but a fun week!

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