On my workbench – back to work

It’s a horrible 36C here today, but I found that one of the more acceptable parts of the house was, amazingly, the loft. With the windows open to catch what (hot) breeze there was, and a fan working, I got some modelling done.

First, I’ve started to think about taking modules to TINGS, especially Aldersford. I’ve modified the legs to be the correct NCI height of 900mm to rail level. And then added a couple of signals to replace the ones I broke relaying the track. I decided not to relay the extension board – it seems to match up well, and worked OK last year at Stuttgart.

I do just need to check the other modules that I’m taking – but that won’t take long.

Next up is starting to make the junction we need for Stuttgart in November. A simple plan, but will give us control of the junction. I’ve selected three end boards for the module – next will be a purchase of 9mm ply. I’d better start now to avoid a later panic…..

I have had a bit of a break from railways, too, and built some 1/48 plastic kits. So we have the Zero, the Perry, the Duck and the Sabre (in Philippine Airforce colours.) The Airfix Sabre was such a nice kit that I bought another, this time the Canadair RAF version. I’ll build this with everything closed….

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Pevensey Bay MRC exhibition 2026

The usual ESNG transport was not available today, so after a pleasant week by the seaside, I transported a brace of Derek’s to the Pevensey Bay show on the northern edge of Eastbourne. A pleasant and friendly little show, with some good layouts on display.

Entering the show, first layouts were Sean, Allan and Lucas with Brunswik and Oakley Lane (both N.)

Allan had abandoned Brunswik to examine a small vehicle…..

The owner of Lockdown seems to have the same Terrier addiction that I have, but in O gauge.

Good to see London Road Sidings (OO) again. a small, but interesting model of a stabling point.

The charming Caravanseri (009), set in lower Egypt. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the rolling stock, but the scenery around is beautifully done.

Hockenbaum (MOB) (Nm) was very well presented, and I was impressed by the correct use of Z gauge track to model the narrow gauge Swiss syatem.

Hursley Quay (0) shows what can be done in a small space, with a very small locomotive!

Drovers Brook (00) models a light railway in Sussex in BR days.

There were some other layouts on show, plus plenty of trade. Only complaint was that the catering had no bacon products. So we found a very nice cafe (on Allan’s direction) for a late breakfast.

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ESNG meeting – 14 June & 17 June

14 June, a whole 12 persons turned up – making a sociable afternoon with plenty of trains on the tracks. A selection are shown below…

And thank you Brian….

17 June – not sure what happened as I wasn’t there….

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Ashford MRC exhibition 2026

Just some photos from our roving reporter today. I though about going to this show, but the lawn desperately needed mowing, and I had started maintenance on my N-club modules ready for TINGS in September. I made good progress, and the lawn no longer looks like a safari park (though I did flush out a large frog.)

I had seen London Road Sidings (00) elsewhere. Very simple but interesting, modelling a British Railways refuelling facility.

Dinsdale 1830 (00), some very, very, old railways.

Fence Houses NCB (00), a regular on the circuit, but always worth a look, modelling an NCB shed in the North East of England.

Narrow gauge (009) with Blackmoor, Lynton & Barnstable.

And Westhay in Wales.

Addleford Green (00), based on the Hawkhurst Branch.

Horsmonden (N), hop picking in the mid 1950’s.

And Ron has been chasing buses….. That seem to be running as well as DB…..

London Bus Museum Heritage Running Days routes 213 Sutton – Kingston and 293 North Sheen – Epsom 213 affected by roadworks in Kingston and 293 a joke. Several of us got off at North Sheen with Epsom bus at our stop. As we were walking to catch it driver pulled away so caught Tfl 293 and all the way did not see a heritage service coming in opposite direction. Coming back long queue and when I got on had to stand all the way to North Sheen. Now on way home on a packed single decker to Sutton – at least I have a seat. Ron

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Anyone who had a Hartz – 5

Ron’s in trouble again – weather and trains….. And a lack of strudel…..

DAY 6

Frankfurt. Overcast turning to heavy rain with thunder and lightning. Bad day again for travelling to Frankfurt for an overnight stay. All went well to Braunschweig where a 25 minute connection turned out to be a 100 minute connection due to a fire in the Berlin area. My group spent over an hour in the entrance hall looking at departure board. Even when on train problems continued as it was announced train would be stopping at Frankfurt main station but at Frankfurt South instead from where we had to catch another train to main station. Eventually made it to hotel 2 hours later than planned. Went down to my usual department store for a meal but found it and other stores/cafes closed. Turns out today is a religious holiday in Germany. As a result my sit down meal choice was limited to Burger King or McDs. I chose the former as there was more seating area. Mid morning train tomorrow for Brussels and Eurostar. Fingers crossed it will be running. Next holiday blog will be 6th August from Isle of Man. Ron

I think he returned home OK…..

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Anyone who had a Hartz – 4

DAY 5

Leipzig. Overcast and cooler. As I had already travelled on all possible train routes and did not fancy using rail replacement buses I treated myself to my usual day trip to Leipzig. Currently at Halle with a 40 min wait for direct train back to Wernigerode.

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Anyone who had a Hartz – 3

Another successful day….

DAY 4

Started off summery turned showery now heavy thunderstorms. Took train to Quedlingburg for 3.5 hour steam hauled rail trip to Strassberg. Before taking train back to Wernigerode took walk around Quedlingburg ending up at castle.

The trains….

And the views….

Pretty standard in SE Asia?

Just what you want in your hotel bathroom.

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Anyone who had a Hartz – 2

A more successful day, mainly on the Hartz….

DAY 3

Hartz Day 3. Started sunny turned cloudy but now sunny today. Today’s trip was up the Brocken and back for walk up to Wernigerode Castle. It is obvious where one part ends and the second part begins.

The trains….

And the views (Hartz summit and the castle.

What surprised me to learn today was that in 1945 the Hartz was liberated by the Americans and then passed to Russians under the Yalta agreement. Also the summit was surrounded by a wall with a gate for trains from 1961 to 1988.

And the inevitable food p*rn…..

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Anyone who had a Hartz – 1

Ron is off on his travels again. And proving that DB ain’t what it used to be…..

DAY 1

DB strikes again Train from Brussels to Aachen cancelled so 2 hour wait in Brussels and will not be in hotel until around 6pm local time.

Spending unwanted 2 hours in Brussels so here are pictures from outside Midi station will try and take photos in Aachen but dependant on what time our evening meal is.

Aachen…

DAY 2

Ron’s still having trouble….

First picture Aachen station rest are Wernigerode. Bad day travelling. Our ICE train to Hannover was cancelled so had to take a local to Dusseldorf. Station there was in chaos due to late running trains. I was with the majority of group. Tour manager saw 3 getting on towards front of train but as he was getting ready to board they closed and locked the doors leaving him behind. As i was inly one in my group who spoke German they nominated me as spokesman/leader in case ticket inspection took place. Luckily the tour leader emailed me a copy of the group ticket but no inspection took placed. Arrived in Hannover in pouring rain around 75 minutes late to see our connection pulling out. Had hour to wait before next train, where my German was tested in a ticket inspection. Eventually reached Wernigerode hour later than planned but luckily tour manager had rung ahead to arrange for us to be transported to hotel. Hoping for better luck for rest of week.

Railway pictures to follow next time…..

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ESNG meeting – 3 June

The weather has broken. Thunder, lightning and normal temperatures. We started with just four members at today’s meeting, but that later went up to six. We were also pleased to see three separate visitors – and Tom soon got Mr Atfield fixing some locomotives.

I ran in an impulse eBay buy – a Farish 64xx pannier tank. It ran very nicely.

Chris ran a selection of EMUs and a ‘Thumper’ DEMU.

Allan ran a long aggregate train.

Derek got a couple of locos running again.

And Terry ran…. something!

Lots of photos to post over the coming days, but here are a few from the Newhaven show last weekend.

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