ESNG meeting – 4 March

A spring-like afternoon, and seven members came to play trains and chat.  I managed to attend most of the meeting, especially as I had trains to run!

Chris’ 12 car EMU was impressive, and would need a rather large layout…..

German steam….

British express…

And Terry with grain and Maine….

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On my workbench – variety is the spice of life

I’ve manage a little modelling – air and rail – over the past few weeks.

First, an bf-109e.  This is a fairly old Airfix kit, and because of that is not over detailed and went together well, and fairly quickly.  I decided to build this one as it is a model of one of the 109’s sent to Japan for evaluation.

On the rails, an interesting lineup?

Left to right….  The new Rapido dynamometer car.  A lovely model.

Then I’ve finally got my ‘Caroline’ out of the box, coupled to a CJM Class 73.  I bought a job lot of 73’s, that needed a little maintenance.  This one is now running well, if a little noisily.  Unfortunately the ‘Broadlands’ nameplates have dropped off.  I shall have to hunt some replacements.

And finally, a class 419 MLV.  A Gosport Railworks 3D printed model, on a cut about Farish 4CEP chassis.  I could afford to use a chassis, as I bought a ‘2CEP’ off Ebay, with just two driving cars.  The 3D printed body is a little vague in places, but I’m very happy with it – it looks like an MLV and it’s all my own work.

And finally, I’m starting another plane.  This is just part of the cockpit for a Fine Molds Zero – I hope some of this detail is still visible when I close up the fuselage! 

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On the ‘real’ rails

The Cha(i)rman recently visited Ford station, presumably on a visit to the ‘shop previously known as Gaugemaster’.  Here are some trains passing….

And No. 1 Son on duty at East Grinstead station on the Bluebell Railway.  No comment!!!!

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Potpourri #1138

Still busy, but a couple of odds and ends that amused me.

Travel time from London.  There are some remote places in the UK!  Note that it’s quicker to be able to get to York than deepest Norfolk – that’s just up the road.  Mind you, I think that if we had ESNG members driving the trains, times would be halved….

Victoria in 1960…

Sutton in Southern Railway days….

Back soon….

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ESNG meeting – 22 February

Sunday afternoon, and I slipped away for most of the afternoon to see what was running.  I arrived to see that the members were being very keen and set up a large circuit.  It was a good turnout, with nine members present.  Tea was drunk, trains run, and the world put to rights (at great length.)  We finished running trains quite early, but continued chatting for quite a bit longer.

And the Brian’s eye view….

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ESNG meeting – 18 February

I had an afternoon pass from Mrs Bartlett, whose new hip seems to be doing OK, bit by bit.  So I dropped into Wednesday’s ESNG meeting for a while.  We ended up with six members there, enough to set up the layout and run trains.

No photos, though.  I shall try and do better on Sunday!

I’ll add just a few photos.  Stewart’s Lane in 1959 offered both old steam and new electric locomotives.

These pictures keep appearing on social media.  They are either AI generated or some amazing modelling…..

The most elegant EMUs ever, with that maroon livery.  309621 at Chelmsford June 1963 .Photo by Peter Lambert.

Perhaps a model of an entire nation’s railway system – to scale?

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Alton Febex 2026

With Maxine due a new hip, I won’t be getting to many exhibitions over the next few weeks.  So a visit to Alton with the lads seemed a good idea – always a good show, and breakfast at the Alton Station Café is another good reason for going.

I’ve only posted some of the layouts, the ones I particularly liked, but the whole show was good.  I think my favourite was Tan-y-Bwlch in 009.

I always enjoy a chat with Express Daisy Sidings (EM).

Hungerford (EM) was full of lovely modelling…..

I always enjoy Canute Road Quay (OO).

The jungle that is Tony’s Forest (O-14)!!

EMU’s on Stedham Mill (TT).

And a few others….

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ESNG meeting – 8 February

A pleasant afternoons running and chatting with eight members present (but not always correct.)  Spring must be approaching, as it was still light when we locked up the hall.

Large American locos….

Pulling long trains….

And the more up-to-date version…..

Will it take off?  Frank had his Japanese bullet approaching the sound barrier….

9F….

6 or 7P….

Templecombe on parcels….

The lone railcar….

And the usual quality offering from Brian….

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ESNG meeting – 4 February

Just a quick report on Wednesday’s meeting.  I was in Bristol for the day, and the chairman forgot to take any photos.  But I gather that eight members attended, the problems with the fiddle yard were solved (loose wiring and dry solder) and trains were run.

I will post two videos of the Erith show.  We are at about 34 minutes in.

And 22:30 for this one.  Though the layout has been called ‘Saggers Sidings’!

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Erith MRS Exhibition 2026 #2

And on to the rest of the show.  Always good to see Beijiao, with Chinese steam, sound, smoke, and working road vehicles.

I liked the minimalist Bulldog Quay, with trains and boats.

The West Sussex mob were there in force….

Big O gauge diesels on Glenfinnan, and amazing (and big) turntable fiddle yards.

And a few of the other delights on show….

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