Author Archives: snitchthebudgie

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About snitchthebudgie

Secretary of the East Surrey N Gauge railway club

The budgie has flown – for now

Off on a well-earned holiday for a week. So no computer, no Wi-Fi, no posts and probably withdrawal symptoms. But I’ve left a couple of articles that (I hope) will publish themselves.  And I will return…….

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Buddleia: The plant that dominates Britain’s railways

Gardening tips from the BBC website (edited)…… It’s hard to walk by a railway line in Britain and not see Buddleia. Along fences by the tracks and almost any patch of waste ground, you will notice the long, slender clumps … Continue reading

Posted in Out and about, Prototype, Weird and wonderful | Tagged , | 5 Comments

The Alton Ltd exhibition 19 July 2014

An annual pilgrimage for me is the 30 miles or so to Four Marks for the Alton Ltd show, as it’s all American.  It’s also a pleasant drive through the countryside along the A31 Hogs Back and the Winchester road.  A … Continue reading

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Another modelling challenge?

As a PS to last time, and Swiss trams, this Basle “piggy tram” defies description!  I came across it whilst browsing the internet, and had to look at Google Images to check it wasn’t a Photoshop special. Perhaps it’s an ideal way … Continue reading

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ESNG AGM – 16 July 2014

It’s AGM time again.  The chance for the members to rebel against the committee and stretch out the meeting for hours debating minor issues – then vote them back again to continue running the club.  But tonight was different – … Continue reading

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Track cleaning tips

This month’s Model Railroad Hobbyist has an excellent article on track and wheel cleaning.  Here are a few excerpts…. The author, Brent Ciccone, starts with the question, “Problem #1: My track is dirty and I have an open house tomorrow!”… … Continue reading

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More greetings from Filisur in Switzerland

More from our man in Switzerland.  I can see the attraction of modelling modern Swiss railways.  Lots of colourful and interesting locomotives and stock.  He writes: As for the two locomotive & their freight/works train.  It came in and was … Continue reading

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Greetings from Filisur in Switzerland

Maybe 0ur last communication from Switzerland for 2014.  ESNG Charman Allan writes…. Holiday slowly coming to an end. That’s the Hotel we are staying in at the end of the platform.  The double head freight has just turned up. He’d … Continue reading

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The Barriger Library – old USA steam railroad photographs

I recently came across the Barriger Library collection of old USA steam railroad photographs.  Lots of inspiration if you model such things.  Plenty of pleasant browsing even if you don’t.  The photos are not always of the best quality, but … Continue reading

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Jon’s modules – thoughts on point control

Looking back at earlier posts, you will have detected a dislike for wiring.  Having looked at the design of staging for the main line, my thoughts turned to operation.  Loops at either end of a N-club modular set-up could need … Continue reading

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