Man overboard #4

Posted on August 16, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

And so to day 4. Ron….

Rain overcast and back to rain. Good to feel rain on my face after weeks not feeling it. Went by bus via Onchan and Ramsey to Jurby Transport Museum. Back by bus to Ramsey for MER back to Derby Castle with a break in Laxey. Later took bus into Douglas to walk up harbour to our favourite Italian restaurant.

Allan….

Funny old day. Started and finished wet. But overcast the rest of the day.

Museum…

And travel….

And what would a Dawes holiday be without a menu….

Allan has calzone and chocolate brownie with ice cream and i had spaghetti carbonara and a large slice of tiramisu. We will probably have to go on a diet when we get home.

And the evidence….

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Man overboard #3

Posted on August 14, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

Day 3 and once again over to Ron….

Overcast turning sunny with a breeze. Walk along promenade to City end terminal of the horse tram, which we took to Derby Castle. Took MER to Laxey for a ride on Great Laxey Mines Railway. Afterwards continued on MER to Ramsey for bus to Peel, where we had 45 mins sitting on the front before catching bus down centre of the island to Port Erin for a meal in our favourite fish and chips diner. Returned by bus to hotel.

And lots of photos. Starting at the Great Laxey Mine.

Trams at Laxey….

And the horse tram….

And it’s goodnight from Ginger’s rear end….

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Man overboard #2

Posted on August 12, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

Day 2 and over to Ron….

Sunny and breezy. Took bus to Douglas Station to take first train of the day to Port Erin. Then we had a round bus trip to The Sound where we had a snack in the panoramic cafe overlooking the Calf of Man. On our return we took the scenic bus route through the centre of the island to Peel for further bus to Ramsey where we caught the last MER train back to Derby Castle for a pint before bus along promenade to bus stop for our hotel.

And a selection of Ron’s photos….

Allan’s view of Douglas station…..

The journey back from Ramsey to Douglas on the last tram of day….

And the last horse tram of the day pulled by Ginger….

These lovey ladies were sitting in the car park when we got back to Douglas (Derby Castle)

Forgot this one. Our engine at Port Erin.

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ESNG meeting – 9 August

Posted on August 10, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

Another roasty hot day, but eight members had a pleasant afternoon playing trains and talking a lot. John and Amanda brought a load of old N gauge trains belonging to his father and grandfather for us to peruse. Mainly old Poole Farish, but some nice bits and pieces. As you might imaging, cheap trains caused a feeding frenzy among the members, and I think everyone went away happy.

I tested an Ebay purchase. Ran perfectly….

We also ran a few trains…..

And Sean fixed Brian’s split gear (for future replacement.)

And here’s Brian’s view of procedings.

Brian has also recently visited Barrow Hill. Photos….

And video….

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Man overboard #1

Posted on August 8, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

It’s that time again, when the Dawes brothers descend on the Isle of Man (literally this time, as they flew over), I have to think up a different snappy title, and they both send me lots of photos. Just a few today, and a torrent follow……

Ron reports…..

Early start to catch 0810 flight from Gatwick, which did not take off until 0900 but landed only 20 minutes late. Having checked in and put our bags in our room, we were free to go out before midday. Took bus to Derby Castle to have our first holiday pint of Okells. Took MER to Laxey and changed there for a round trip to the summit of Snaefell, which for the first time in our recent visits was not in cloud. Having returned to Laxey we took the long way round back to Douglas via Ramsey and Peel. Ron

And a photo dump from day 1.

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ESNG meeting – 5 August

Posted on August 6, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

Back from holidays, and the railway room is cool enough for some more TINGS preparation. I fitted together the three N-club modules that will form one end of the layout, and carried out a few minor repairs. Two new on-off switches for the fiddle-loops. Some rail repairs to the joker-tunnel. And a new length of track fitted to replace the one damaged packing up after the Erith show.

Next job, build a box for the bridge.

Then the ESNG meeting, at the new earlier start time at 2pm. We accumulated 9 members through the afternoon, all of whom stay for supper. The Cha(i)rman then left early as he is up early in the morning to catch a plane to the Isle of Man (customary photos coming soon, no doubt.) He also left the washing up, but we’ll let him off this time.

We ran trains, but fewer than usual, as a few track repairs were necessary. No one had brought a replacement bus along, though…..

And Simon ran a very, very, long train of reefers, full of oranges no doubt.

After supper, we sat around the table and chatted – and suddenly realised that it was time to pack up and go home. All in all, a very sociable afternoon.

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Shoeburyness MRC exhibition 2026

Posted on August 4, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

And whilst I was walking around a field in Somerset, the lads again headed for the coast for a show. It looked a good show. Here are a few of Mr Dawes’ photos.

One day I WILL build Bembridge in N. (I’ve ordered the baseboard.)

Old Oxendale Sidings (OO).

Moos (HO)

Andrew’s Yard (O).

Flatford Road Gasworks (OO)

A random selection!

And some real model trains!

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Big trains

Posted on August 2, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

Once again Maxine and I went to the ‘New Wine’ church festival at Shepton Mallet.  There were over 12,000 people camping on the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, in the south-west of the UK.  Weather was good again – just a brief shower that failed to break the drought.

I took the usual pictures of the miniature railway that is on the Showground, run by the East Somerset Society of Model & Experimental Engineers.  Most of the main line is dual gauge 5″ and 7¼” gauges (just a little larger than ‘N’ gauge).  Each year at New Wine, ESSMEE open up the railway for several afternoons and offers rides for all and sundry.  Read more about this little railway at http://www.essmee.org.uk/ 

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South Coast MRC exhibition 2026

Posted on August 1, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

Whilst I was building legs, the lads headed for the coast for a show, and then a ice cream by the seaside. It looked a good show, and here are a few of Mr Dawes’ photos.

Lower Exbury (EM) has always been a favourite of mine, with its DUWK and cormorant.

Another old favourite, Harlyn Pier (O) needed a little TLC!

Penny Lane (OO) has a lot of detail in a small space – including the Beatles crossing the road.

Another old favourite – Merstone IOW (OO).

Bournemouth Central (OO) is going to be even more impressive when complete….

A surfeit of dairies?

And a selection of other layouts.

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ESNG meeting – 26 July

Posted on July 29, 2026 by snitchthebudgie

A busy last meeting of the month. Ten members present (one briefly) and we welcomed Malcolm to our merry band (well, the treasurer relieved him of some money!)

We also had a visit from Ian and Nigel from West Sussex to match up their NCI junction with one of my modules. This failed, as they forgot to bring the track bed, but they checked everything out, and went home with our template to borrow.

I’d built a set of taller legs (1000mm) for Stuttgart, but they weren’t needed. However, this was a good exercise, as I shall build enough more to take to Germany in November.

Elsewhere, trains were run….

And the photographer got snapped….

And the usual suspects watched…

And thank you Brian for a better record of the afternoon than I could manage.

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