ESNG meeting – 5 April 2023

A little experiment at this week’s meeting – running trains from 2-9pm, with a pause for fish and chips early evening.  We were also going to do some wiring, but Mr Atfield wasn’t able to get to the meeting with the boards to wire.

Not sure whether this was a success – just the five members attended, with only one extra for the afternoon session.  But the five who were there had a very pleasant afternoon running trains and chatting.  The usual layout was set up and the fiddle yard populated.

Some Swiss trains from Allan….

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Michael was testing stock ready for the Open Day…..

I seemed to have had a Western Region bias to the trains…..

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Derek’s goods….

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And Simon ran some old American diesels…. 

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Die Dawes-Brüder gehen nach Osten #7 – Mainz

And the final batch from Mainz….

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Die Dawes-Brüder gehen nach Osten #6 – Mainz

Last two days of German pictures are from Allan trainspotting at Mainz.  A good variety of passenger and goods trains, and some impressive graffiti! 

 

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Die Dawes-Brüder gehen nach Osten #5 – Wuppertal

Now for some monorail fun on the Wuppertal.  A definite challenge for the modeller!

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The day after April 1…..

A few of the better efforts….

I’m sure Mr Atfield could build these, even if Bulleid would turn in his grave….

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A new model announced?

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I prefer Kato’s offering….

Or maybe this one?  I’m waiting for the other liveries!

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Not from April 1, but a worthy contender as a new model?

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And by the way: On 1 April 1656 Oliver Cromwell issues an edict banning ‘All Fool’s Day’, for “the greater protection of public order and worthy humour”. This was not repealed at the Restoration and is still technically statute today.  So beware!!

No jokes for Brian in Redhill, but a surprising amount of freight.

Elsewhere, this would look good on a model….

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And if you are visiting Essex today….

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Die Dawes-Brüder gehen nach Osten #4 – Cologne

Today’s post returns to Cologne.  I love the variety of liveries – rivalling the post-privatisation UK.

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Die Dawes-Brüder gehen nach Osten #3 – Drachenfels

For the next few days I’ll post some more photos from Allan & Ron’s Cologne visit.  We’ll start with the Drachenfels (Dragon Rock), including some long-distance trainspotting from the top of the hill!

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Die Dawes-Brüder gehen nach Osten #2

Second half of the Dawes’ visit to Cologne….

Overcast with occasional spits of rain. Did a round trip by train along the Rhine to Mainz. On return took walk through town and back along the Rhine

Mainz….

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Photo was taken from Köln Messe/Deurz Bf. Looking back at the Dome and the Rhine bridge.  The bridge is called Hohenzollernbrüker (useful word for future use!)

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Cologne….

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And trains in Cologne….

Along the Rhine to Mainz….

Homeward bound, Allan reports….

Just as we were about to board our ICE to Brussels, these two turned up.

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And….

Our ICE3 in Brussels.

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And of course, there had to be a picture of some delicacy (where’s the strudel this time, guys?) 

A perfect end to the trip – Trappist beer in Brussels.

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ESNG meeting – 26 March 2023

A pleasant Sunday afternoon with six members present and sometimes correct.  The usual layout was quickly set up, and trains running.

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Plenty of variety today.  Swiss trains from Allan and Richard….

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Colourful American steam from Simon….

Phil ran a mail train, and watched them all go by….

Derek was delivering the cement…..

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And ran some other trains….

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My completed bubble cars got a good test run…..

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Ron joined us, and quickly went to sleep (too much walking earlier) but woke up from his coma in time for his korma.  We even got the Ruchita to give him a plate to match his dinner….

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Finishing all those projects #2

We return to the bubblecars, and I make no apology for repeating this atmospheric picture of the approach to Brighton.  Must admit, I wouldn’t mind a model of that EMU in the background.

Research at the time (for research read Google) turned up this useful picture that basically said paint the bubble cars any colour you like (I didn’t do a pink one in the end.)

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So here’s the completed project.  Using my American yard as a photo plank, here are 10 wagons loaded up with 30 bubble cars. The camera is cruel, as the picture of the single wagon is probably larger than life. But the train from normal viewing distance looks OK. And I did it myself (with a little help from Peco [wagons] and Duncan [3d bubbles]!)

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What skills have I refined through this project?  Patience – to come back and finish the job.  Transfers – the Cambridge Custom Transfers are excellent, but tiny and difficult to get right.  There are a few bits that broke off, but I guess the prototype lettering wasn’t perfect.   Painting – trusting a steady hand to do the details, and careful use of multiple coats of thinned acrylic paint.  I’ve learn from my recent plastic kit building here.

And the next project to be finished?  I hunted this down in the bottom of a drawer.  So more next time.

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And a bonus video from Brian – a REAL multiple unit visiting Redhill.

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