Michael’s layout – it moves!

Posted on October 16, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Michael and I continued to build his layout on Wednesday.  Well, I did most of it, as I was giving instructions in how to wire it up, and use a soldering iron – and how to melt the plastic on Peco track.  I also found that I’d forgotten to add insulating fishplates at one location, but we managed to extract that piece of track and change fishplates.

And at the end of the session, we had a locomotive running around the main line and into every siding.  Next job, perhaps a little ballasting?

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Reading RMweb recently, there was a thread exploring a slightly expanded version of Ian Futer’s ‘Victoria Park.’  I quite like the addition of a central siding between the platform roads.

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I recently gave in and bought a cheap copy of the ‘Book of the T9.’  Here are four photos of that long lived and lovely locomotive…

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Ron – the Great Escape! Day 7

Posted on October 14, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Last day of the holidays…..

An overcast day. This morning we took the boat from Interlaken to Brienz. Was thinking of taking train to the Rothorn but the train was full and 90 minutes wait for next one and the low cloud changed my mind. Instead took train back to Interlaken to do some shopping. Two of the group were taking a paragliding trip so the rest of us met up to watch them land. After a group drink came back to hotel to start packing. Will not be doing emails tomorrow as we leave tomorrow on 6.18am local time (5.18 UK time) arriving in St Pancras at 6.33pm.

We start at Kleine Schiedegg

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Brienz….

Interlaken….

And the last message from Ron….

Did not know the concrete cows had emigrated from Milton Keynes

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Thanks, Ron, as ever, for sharing some interesting photographs – I think concrete cows is a first from the Dawes school of snaps!  I suppose I’ll have to think up something original to write for the next blog.  I hope to get to Uckfield exhibition over the weekend, so should have some pictures to share.

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Ron – the Great Escape! Day 6

Posted on October 13, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Just a quick touristy report from Ron today….

Highlight of the trip a visit to Jungfraujoch. Came up through cloud and can now see mountains rising ftom the clouds

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One more day to go, with some trains….

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ESNG meeting – 10 October 2021

Posted on October 12, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Eight members gathered this afternoon for the AGM and running day.  It was good to see the Treasurer back after having a heart pacemaker fitted.  There were, of course, the essential jokes that he had now gone DCC, and that he’d be able to control the trans by waving his arm up and down.

We gathered at 2pm and set up the layout, pausing at 3 for an hour’s AGM before returning to the important task of running more trains.  We ran a good variety of stock. 

Allan and Brian had new locomotives from Switzerland and the Netherlands.

I had bought an old Minitrix diesel to haul my troop train.  Aged but a nice model, and it weighs a ton!

And after a five year wait, my Gaugemaster Electro-diesel has finally arrived

Simon was running steam and diesel USA freight trains, incl

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More Dutch trains from Brian….

Allan also ran this KESR permanent way train.  Did you know that a Dogfish was a Shark?

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Paul had this lovely Japanese Railways inspection saloon on show….

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And of course, Paul also had Thomas’ Japanese relation on show!

Paul took these pictures of ‘Thomas-san’, and summed up the afternoon….

The East Surrey N Gauge Group AGM took place this afternoon. Many topics were discussed, a rise in Annual and meeting Subscriptions were agreed to ensure that the group can continue. Our main concern is the dwindling number of active members, but this seems to be the case with many other clubs.

And, as usual, Brian captured the action on film…

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Ron – the Great Escape! Day 5

Posted on October 11, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Another day, another spot of tourism….

Overcast with outbreaks of rain. Free day. Whilst majority of party headed to Murren and the Schilthorn, I went to Luzern for a round boat trip to Vitznau. Turned out I made the right choice as the party going to the Schilthorn could not see a lot!

We start at Meiringen.

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On to Luzern….

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A look at the town…

And then we take to the water….

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Ron – the Great Escape! Day 4

Posted on October 10, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

An interesting day out – though not entirely sure that the weather has improved!

Started wet saw some snow (see below) and ended up sunny. Group trip up Schyniger Platte. On way up passed through cloud and saw snow on trees. When we got to the top it was trying to snow with lying snow. We were left to our own devices and allowed to come down on our our own. All but two of us went into the restaurant for coffee and apple strudel. The cloud was then lifting. I joined a few of the group in an early descent and I went through to Thun and caught last boat back to Interlaken

It was only a matter of time before the apple strudel got a mention…..

Schyniger Platte. Not sure what the locals are smoking!  “See what i mean about snow….”

But it looks like the weather did improve…..

Please do not pick the flowers…..

Meanwhile, back down at Wilderswil….

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Ron – the Great Escape! Day 3

Posted on October 9, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Ron continues to enjoy great British weather…. in Switzerland!

Woke up to heavy rain and excused myself from group trip to Interlaken, using my free passes went through Lotschberg base tunnel to Brig then along Rhobe Valley to Lausanne and came back via Berne. On way back walked through Interlaken and saw a lot of the familiar shops had closed or changed hands and in one case gone upmarket. Despite seeing some sun got off train at Wilderswil in the rain.

Just a few photos today – and the weather does look foul!!!!

Brig.  Not sure why the sky has gone green????

Berne….

Lake Geneva…..

And a few Day 4 photos of Wilderswil.

Lots of train pictures in the next post, so don’t go away.

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ESNG meeting – 6 October 2021

Posted on October 8, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Having laid the last siding on Michael’s layout, we headed off to a pleasant Wednesday evening ESNG meeting with seven members in attendance…

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Just a few photographs, as my phone ran out of juice.  Here’s Simon’s lovely Santa Fe steamer…

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Paul’s new Japanese train is rather special.  It’s Thomas, Jim, but not as we know him!  This lovely Tomix model is of a Thomas train that runs on a Japanese private railway.

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My, Annie & Clarabelle, you have grown up!!!!!

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There’s a steep grade on the line, so an electric locomotive is tagged on the end to get Thomas up the hill.  As far as Tomix is concerned, this loco is a dummy, but one of the coaches is powered along with Thomas-san himself.  Different…..

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Next meeting is on Sunday, with a running afternoon plus a long delayed ESNG AGM.

And here’s Paul’s latest purchase in action!

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Ron – the Great Escape! More Day 2

Posted on October 7, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Trains at Spiez….

At Brig….

Trams at Berne…..

And Ron’s hotel – the well appointed Hotel Alpenblick Wilderswil…

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Ron – the Great Escape! Day 2

Posted on October 6, 2021 by snitchthebudgie

Sorry to see Ron is still getting English weather….

Woke up to pouring rain, walked over and sat on platcorm for 40 mins. We then had a walking tour of Strasbourg after which I joined some of the tour group on a noddy train round the old town. This afternoon travelled to Wilderswil via Basle and Interlaken. Hotel is old fashioned and 10 minute walk up hill from Wilderswil station.

Not many railway themed shots today, but here’s Basle station.

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