Very sad, but with the deteriorating Corvid-19 situation, we have no choice but to cancel – even if it’s before the government decides to shut down any large gatherings.
Hopefully, we’ll have another try next year….
From Facebook, a mega-roundhouse in Altona, Hamburg. This would make quite some model – even the coaling facilities are on the grand scale….
But did you spot the best bit – the overlapping turntable. I’d never seen one of these before, prototype or model. It would be a feature of any layout!
Sunday’s PlayDay was well attended, with 10 members there, plus Sean’s Lucas. Derek brought round the new club corners, to wire up some leads….
And also one of his new ‘super dashboards’. This one will link up with Peter’s station….
And elsewhere, trains we run. We had a fair size circuit set up, as Paul and Dave brought along some new boards….
Sean’s engineer’s train, nicely weathered.
And Network SouthEast passenger. Made more realistic by the blue-gray coach amongst the toothpaste liveried ones.
I had spent a few hours adding a little weight to my Conflats and gluing the containers in place. A train of 25 wagons behind a Hymek made an attractive train.
And Paul had his usual selection of bullet trains, including one repaired by Kato in Tokyo.
And Brian filmed it all….
And on Monday, more progress on the fiddle yard – we’re getting there!
We’ll start the post on the beach at Lancing. A grey day, but bracing rather than unpleasant. But why was I there – and what’s this doing in a railway blog?
Well, the beach car park was recommended for the Wealden Railway Group exhibition. A pleasant little show, concentrating on their tag line – “Railways you can live with” – small and micro layouts to the fore. Here are just a few of the exhibits that caught my eye….
Greenford Broadway modelled the London Underground in 3′, with a fiddle yard at either end. I liked the authentic 4-rail track, the LUT steam locos, and at the extreme right is a neat model of an old wooden escalator.
This little ‘O’ gauge switching layout is almost pointless – just the one point and a sector plate to reach the other tracks. Another neat design, allowing a large scale in a small space.
This was a trader’s stand, but I liked the scenic work….
And there was lots of narrow gauge. Three layouts are shown below. Can you spot the coffin wagon in the third photo?
In case you missed it!
I then drove a mile up the road from Lancing to Sompting, to drop in on the West Sussex N Gauge group open day. Lots of modular layouts and lots of old friends to talk to – and a very respectable sausage bap, rivalling the Wealden bacon roll….
This looks like an interesting layout in the making….
And plenty of completed layouts on show….
Overall, a pleasant morning!
Again, starting Monday’s fiddle yard session. All track down, and all point motors fitted. And we’ve learnt to fit point motors with just 2 ESNG members! Next stop – wiring!
And at Wednesday’s meeting, 8 hardy members braved the rain and Coronavirus – including Paul with a selection of new, and repaired, Japanese stock to run. I think at least 3 of us just came to socialise, but the others successfully filled the tracks….
Look familiar?
Ten years of so ago we were on holiday in Queensland, Australia. I came across these two delightful videos of sugar cane railways. The first is special, as we were held up at the level crossing in the first scene of the video whilst a little train crossed the road.
And we spent a fun hour or two around Tully, admiring their smart little locomotives.
What a great prototype for an unusual model?
Several years ago, I bought Ian Milroy’s little Kuritu, an N gauge Japanese tram layout, as he was retiring it from the exhibition circuit. I finally got space in the railway room for it, and having put it up, to my amazement it all ran perfectly!
There is a little work to do – one point isn’t working, and I managed to break the rather flimsy layout cover when I put it up (should have asked Maxine to help me). But it all looks rather good……
All is on track for NGSE 2020. We’ve lost a trader, but replaced them with two others.
We’ve obviously had a couple of questions about coronavirus. Obviously this needs monitoring carefully, but we’ll be going ahead unless the number of cases really explodes in the UK, especially in our region, or the government gives firm guidance (some hope) on whether to hold smaller gathering like our show.
And, hijacked from Facebook, here are a few of the layouts that Sean has booked for the day….
Probably the last of Paul’s pictures, as he’s now back in the UK, and the joys of food shopping in Crawley….
Tomorrow is my last day in Japan on this trip. My plan is all set up. Watch this space!
First train of the day 0916 Nasuno service from Tokyo to Shin-shirakawa on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Weather couldn’t be better!
Returning to Tokyo after 2 hours watching Bullet trains at Shin-shirakawa and Nasushiobara. Off to a model shop at Akihabara next, then on to Odawara for a last look at the Bullet trains.
Just spent an hour or so at Odawara. One platform was lined with enthusiasts, cameras at the ready. You will see why later….
An E6 and E5 passing Shin-Shirakawa, and an E2 passing Nasushiobara this morning.
The reason for the enthusiasts at Odawara. The 700 Series, about to be withdrawn. Tickets for the last service operated by this set sold out in 30 seconds.
N700A and E4 MAX at Tokyo Station.
N700A at Odawara.
E2-J set with an E3 Tsubasa at Nasushiobara
I have lots of photos and videos from today, but I have a plane to catch at 0945 in the morning to take me back to the UK, so I need an early night. Japan has been amazing once again. I will be back, hopefully in 2022.
Just landed at Heathrow, great flight, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Back home in Redhill after a straightforward journey back on the Piccadilly and District Underground, and Southern rail. I was expecting a heap of Valentine’s cards behind the front door of the flat, but all I got were 2 bills and other requests for money!
And we look forward to seeing some of Paul’s new purchases running at the next ESNG club night.
Out into the wilds!
Late start today, first train at 0921. Then it’s a circuit taking in a famous route through the mountains. I won’t be back in Sendai until 8.30pm.
To follow my excursion in to the Japanese countryside today, you will need a map. I went a little off the beaten track. Sendai to Omiya (north of Tokyo), Omiya to Echigo-Yuzawa, then on to Koide, and up to Tadami, all by train. Tadami to Aizu-Kawaguchi by bus, from there back on the trains to Aizu Wakamatsu, then Koriyama and back to Sendai. All the trains and the bus were bang on time. Photo is the new E7 in the Joetsu livery at Echigo-Yuzawa.
Various trains I travelled on today, KiHa 40/48 Diesel units. E128/9 and E720.
Some fine scenery, too….
The station building at Yabukami, first stop north of Koide on the Tadami Line. A little different from Tokyo…
..And this station building is an old freight wagon.
On the menu for tomorrow is a return to Tokyo and then it all depends on the weather..
Another interesting day despite the overcast weather. After arriving back in Tokyo, I spent the afternoon traveling on some of the Tokyo suburban rail network before visiting 2 model railway shops. Off to get a bite eat and photograph trains shortly.
More purchases???
Olympic mascot anyone? Keyring size is £7.25, smallest size without a chain is £25, the largest is £1,051, but it would be tax free!
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