ESNG meeting – 2 July

Posted on July 4, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Thankfully, Wednesday wasn’t as hot as the previous few days.  It could almost be described as pleasant!  And six members had a pleasant evening running a few trains and talking a lot.

Sean appeared with a couple of CJM bargains from a show – almost giveaways!  The Class 89 is a lovely looking locomotive and such a pity it wasn’t put into production.  The Intercity livery also suits it very well.

This Class 47 is just a repaint, but also an excellent bargain.

And a Dutch bargain from the same source, rapidly passed on to Brian.  I love these parcels units, but I’ve only seen them in dark green till now.

Terry also visited the show and came away with this lovely bit of Bavaria!

And he also ran some American stock.

Derek’s train ran better without a pony truck on the track.

Not many photos tonight, but to finish here’s some wonderful EM modelling.  

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Island memories

Posted on July 2, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Facebook reminded me that Maxine and I had been on a mid-covid holiday on the Isle of Wight in 2021 – 4 years ago – doesn’t time fly!  So it seemed a good idea to repost this one.  I may do a few reposts through July.  There aren’t that many exhibitions to go to, and report on.

My turn to post my holiday snaps now!  Maxine and I had three very pleasant nights on the Isle of Wight.  Great to get away after 18 month or so at home, and the weather was kind to us.

The ferry crossing is fun in itself – though I wasn’t convinced by the sat-nav!

We stayed on the southern tip of the island, an easy walk from St Catherine’s lighthouse – a beautiful spot…

But of course, my real reason for a trip to the IOW was to visit the steam railway.  Maxine may have thought rather differently, but probably guessed this to be the case.  We had an excellent run on the line.  Not hauled by a Terrier or O2 tank, just the more modern 2-6-2T, but we did get a ride in the 1880’s Stroudley 4-wheeled carriages.  And a very COVID-safe approach – each booking gets a compartment to themselves.

The early train left soon after we arrived.  I love the classic Southern Railway rail-built signals.

And then it was time for our excursion.  I like the way that Haven Street is in the middle of the line, and the loco has to run round twice on the trip.

A halt at the signals before finally entering Haven Street again at the end of the run.

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A delightful little line, and I hope that they can extend the track through to Newport, as is planned.  Next post, I’ll share some of the interesting rolling stock in the shed.

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Potpourri #1131

Posted on June 30, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

When in doubt, start with several Jago Hazzard movies!

Almost Hazzard-esque but without the humour?

Some rather fine trams, including the Isle of Man (but in German!). Here’s a link to get to YouTube.

And a few pictures that I found of interest.  Battersea in 1939 with some interesting goods stock, that looks quite clean…..

Liverpool Street in 1932, and Birmingham New Street in 1883….

Neasden in 1956 and Lotts Road in 1951….

Finally, anyone for a 5-way point?  This is in Gauge 1.

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The Italian Job

Posted on June 28, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Having arrived home from the KESR at 11pm or so, we had to get up at 6am to head for Gatwick and holidays.  Well, I got some sleep – I think Maxine stayed up overnight for the last minute jobs and packing!

We were paying a first visit to Ruth and Cory at there relatively new house on Monte Isola, on Lago d’Iseo, the smallest and less well known of the lakes north of Milan.  Only accessible by ferry, but there are plenty of them, going in all directions around the lake.  It’s only a little house, but with a large plot of land full of olive trees.  Some home pictures.  I’m told the bed is c1800 (came with the house) – but with a new mattress it was very comfortable!!!

Monte Isola….

And some expeditions.  These normally comprised a boat ride, a short walk to a large (and excellent) lunch, then a little exploration before coming home.  Weather was hot, but there’s always a breeze on the water – and a couple of spectacular evening thunderstorms.

We did visit one very good museum in Brescia, with masses of fine Roman relics.

No railways though.  I did see a blue 4-car DMU looking from the island to the mainland.  Driving back to Milan on Tuesday, we were running parallel to the main line – but no trains.  I later discovered that there was a national rail strike.  Typical!  However I did spot these two fine photos at our lunch stop.  The waterfront is still very recognisable.

Lunch was, as usual, excellent, though one item on the menu was avoided…..

It was a wonderfully relaxing few days away, and I can’t wait to get back there.

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ESNG meetings – 18 & 22 June

Posted on June 26, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

A different ESNG meeting on the 18th.  We had a visit to the Kent & East Sussex Railway for a fish and chip supper on the train.  Eleven members and partners got there for a very pleasant evening.  It was a perfect evening, and the train left Tenterden at 6:30pm, returning by 9:15pm.  Catering appeared to have been collected from the local chippy, but it was hot and very nicely cooked.  Most members went for the fish.  I opted for sausage and chips, but Richard and Maxine did very well – I think they shared a chicken between them!

Unfortunately we had diesel power, albeit an interesting one, probably due to the dry heatwave weather.  They were running steam during the day, but had less people manning the line in the evening, and a lineside fire could have been tricky to deal with.

On arrival at Bodiam, there was a rush for the ice creams….

And a chance to inspect the innards of the diesel.

Return to Tenterden was at dusk.  The drive home was nearly a disaster, as we hit the M25 to find a complete standstill.  Fortunately it was only for 10 minutes (Ron – “We’ll be here to midnight.”) whilst they set up a lane closure for overnight works. 

On the 22nd, I was on holiday, but was able to catch up on proceedings thanks to Brian.

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Another Isle of Man trip – 4

Posted on June 24, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Some industrial heritage with the Great Laxey Mine Railway.

And the Great Laxey Wheel.  It’s also known as Lady Isabella, and is the largest surviving original working waterwheel in the world.

Off to Peel and the Manx Heritage Transport Museum.

Some peculiar looking transport here….

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Another Isle of Man trip – 3

Posted on June 22, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

A trip up the Snaefell Mountain Railway does require good weather – otherwise you can’t see the seven kingdoms.  Its summit is 2,036ft above sea level.  On a clear day you can see seven Kingdoms from its top: The Isle of Man, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Kingdoms of Neptune and Heaven!

One changes trams from the Manx Electric Railway at Laxey.  There is also a change of gauge (A whole 3 inches), so the two lines are entirely separate.  And you also change from trolley pole to pantograph.

And some views along the line.  A couple of pictures catch the Great Laxey Mine and wheel, that we shall visit next time.

A short bus ride away is the picturesque Groudle Glen….

And its little railway.

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Another Isle of Man trip – 2

Posted on June 20, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Today, it’s trams, electric and horse.  Starting with the Manx Electric Railway….

And along the line.  Looks like Michael had good weather for his trip!

The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway.  They are trying to extend it again back to its original length.  Hope they asked the horse for his opinion on more working hours?

And its museum and shed…

Next time we’ll climb a (small) mountain!

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Another Isle of Man trip – 1

Posted on June 18, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

This time around the Isle of Man trip was by No. 1 son, Michael, who went over there last month.  So I’ve hijacked some of his many Facebook photos.  We’ll start today with the Isle of Man Steam Railway.  

Trains….

Infrastructure….

Maps and things…..

Museum…..

Next time, a few trams, I think.

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Some busy ESNG members….

Posted on June 16, 2025 by snitchthebudgie

Sean took two layouts to the Northolt club open day, plus Lucas to run them, and Allan to transport them….

Also at the show was an old friend.  This was Northolt’s new layout, Batty Moor.  They got it second-hand from the Twickenham club.  I remember it coming to our exhibition a good many years ago.  Excellent layout of the Settle & Carlisle line.

Meanwhile, Ron and Chris went to the London Bus Museum 418 running day.  Starting with a rail replacement service at Purley.

Just the two ‘real’ buses.

But lots of lovely Routemasters.

And a few of the rest…

Ron had a few comments on the organisation….

It was obvious more people attended than anticipated.  There was a long queue at Kingston after lunch break and Chris and I took a service bus back. On return to Epsom the queue for any bus reached back from the Clock Tower to the traffic lights. Several buses arrived, emptied out and went to lay over. No bus left for over 30 minutes and the controller kept a low profile unlike at Kingston where we kept informed. I am on way home via Kingston. Chris stayed in Epsom as he did not fancy a long queue to come back from Epsom.

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