M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 26 June 2017
Next meeting: Monday 31 July 2017.
The absence of most of our usual contingent from the West Midlands 099 Group diminished our numbers to only 20, but we welcomed back former 009 Society Chairman and News Editor Simon Coward, who regularly attended our meetings many moons ago. We also helped Geoff Harper celebrate his birthday, with some delicious coffee and walnut cake that he provided.
As usual, Martyn Davies brought an increasingly large range of 009 items from Hereford Model Centre (HMC) for sale, including two new Heljan 2-6-2 Lynton and Barnstaple locos. These are two of only four supplied by Heljan to HMC, out of 36 pre-ordered by customers. They are sure to be very popular amongst 009 modellers, despite their hefty price tag, nearly £200.00 and probably more for a second production run. Sadly neither loco was running faultlessly, with the motion becoming jammed after travelling a short distance around the test track, prompting an imminent return to Heljan for each loco for repairs or replacement.
Running properly, however, was a Sentinel 4wVBT steam loco scratch-built by Simon Coward on a Kato tram chassis, which was pained in dark green with a GWR-style plate numbered ‘14’. Simon also had some other items under construction, including a Sentinel railcar, which we look forward to seeing when completed in due course.
Do check the website www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk for the latest updates on progress of our show on 7th October at Tewkesbury School.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, with cake and coffee, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 31 July and 28 August (Bank Holiday) starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by email nicwheatley53@gmail.com.
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 24 April 2017
Next meeting: Monday 29 May 2017.
Problems on the motorways around Birmingham prevented most of our colleagues from the West Midlands 009 group from attending our April meeting but nevertheless twenty six people were able to enjoy our usual mix of discussing all matters narrow gauge in a friendly atmosphere whilst consuming cake and coffee. Martyn Davies had returned from his trip to Switzerland and brought a large range of 009 items from Hereford Model Centre for sale at very reasonable prices.
On the 009 test track Steve Mann was running a Kerr Stuart ‘Skylark’ loco, running on a Kato chassis and also a rather impressive though still unpainted Keil Craft tram, also on a Kato chassis. Larger scale models were being run on our 16.5 and 14mm gauge test tracks.
The planning for our show in Tewkesbury in October is now in full swing and many new additions have been made to the show’s website, see www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk for the latest updates and additional information. Confirmed layouts, traders and other exhibitors will also be added to the 009 Society website Diary page.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 29 May (Bank Holiday) and 26 June starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicwheatley53@gmail.com.
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 27 February 2017
Next meeting: Monday 27 March 2017.
Twenty three people attended our February meeting, numbers probably being depleted by many people having met up at the last – and definitely the best- show at Shepton Mallet a few days previously. Many thanks are due to the team who have put on such a splendid show at Shepton for so many years, and the last one was definitely one to remember. Some of the people attending our meeting had been at Shepton and bought many interesting items – too many to list – that were running on our test tracks. As usual, much cake and coffee was consumed whilst numerous conversations about narrow-gauge matters were taking place in the friendly atmosphere that we endeavour to create.
The group had its own display table at Shepton, though we were rather tucked away in a corner of a classroom a long way from the main hall. Nevertheless, many flyers were handed out for our show in Tewkesbury, which will now take over as the largest narrow-gauge show in the South West of England. Keep checking our website www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk for the latest updates and additional information. Several operators have offered layouts using the Contacts page on that site, and if you have anything suitable please contact us. Confirmed layouts will also continue to be added to the 009 Society website Diary page.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 27 March and 24 April starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicwheatley53@gmail.com.
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 30 January 2017
Next meeting: Monday 27 February 2017.
We did not meet in December but our first meeting of 2017 was attended by 32 people, who ate their way through no fewer than three large cakes! The death on Boxing Day of one of our members Fred Lea, a well-known railway artist, was noted and the attendance of some new people was welcomed. Thanks go to everyone who helped set the room up and with the washing up, never a glamourous task.
The test tracks in all three gauges were in use, with a Bachmann ‘Skarloey’ in operation on the 009 track, proving that models of this fine loco can still be obtained. As usual, Martyn Davies had a wide range of 009 and HOe items for sale from Hereford Model Centre, at discounted prices.
There were visible signs of the planning for our exhibition in October, in the form of a large banner and a table cloth, both specially printed with details of the group and the exhibition. These will be on display at the last show in Shepton Mallet, probably many of you will have seen them there by the time this report is published. The show’s own website, www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk continues to be updated with information about new layouts, traders and societies, keep checking that site for the latest news. The exhibition is now also listed in the Diary page of the 009 Society website.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 27 February and 27 March starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicwheatley53@gmail.com.
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 27 October 2016
Next meeting: Monday 28 November. Contact Nicolas Wheatley, 07773 867782
Apologies for the lack of a report in last month’s News, a gremlin got into the calendar and our meeting in October is after the deadline for this issue. However, as we’re meeting on Halloween itself Nicolas Wheatley’s Journey’s End cemetery layout is booked to appear complete with pumpkins and other spooky features.
Our September meeting was attended by 29 people, back to our usual turnout levels even though several of our larger scale modellers were missing. Martyn Davies brought along a wide selection of 009 Peco goods from Hereford Model Centre, including some just-released Hudson Rugga V skip wagons, in both liveries, which looked very attractive and suitable for any 009 layout featuring sand or minerals.
The invitations to layout operators for the Tewkesbury 2017 show are now being sent out. Keep checking the dedicated website (www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk) for latest details of the show, information is added constantly.
We will not be meeting in December, but here’s an early festive greeting to everyone, together with wishes for a Happy New Year- yes, that will be coming all too soon.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 28 November and 30 January 2017 starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicwheatley53@gmail.com.
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 26 September 2016
Next meeting: Monday 31 October. Contact Nicolas Wheatley, 07773 867782
Our September meeting was attended by 29 people, back to our usual turnout levels even though several of our larger scale modellers were missing.
Martyn Davies brought along a wide selection of 009 Peco goods from Hereford Model Centre, including some just-released Hudson Rugga V skip wagons, in both liveries, which looked very attractive and suitable for any 009 layout featuring sand or minerals. Martyn won’t be present at our October meeting but hopes to be back for the November meeting.
The invitations to layout operators for the Tewkesbury 2017 show are now being sent out. Keep checking the dedicated website (www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk) for latest details of the show, information is added constantly.
Our next meeting is on Halloween and Nicolas’ Wheatley’s ‘Journey’s End’ will be on display, with many added pumpkins and other spooky additions- you have been warned!
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 31 October and 28 November starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicwheatley53@gmail.com.
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 29 August 2016
Next meeting: Monday 26 September.
Our August meeting was attended by 19 people, fewer than usual but still a good number considering it was a Bank Holiday with unusually good weather. It was also good to see some people who had not been for a while.
Martyn Davies brought along a selection of 009 Peco goods from Hereford Model Centre, including some just-released 8 Ton Bogie Open Wagons that were specially delivered to the shop so that he could offer them for sale to us. In fact they are so new that (at the time of writing) they are not even listed on Peco’s own website! Two liveries are available, L&B Grey No.22, catalogue GR230, and SR Brown, No 28313, catalogue GR231. They are listed on the Parkside Dundas website, however, but for future availability and at a higher price. Well done to Martyn and Hereford Model Centre for making our Group members probably the first in the country to be able to buy these excellent models.
The invitations to traders and societies for the Tewkesbury 2017 show have already been sent out with invitations to layout exhibitors to follow very soon. Keep checking the dedicated website (www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk) for latest details of the show, information is added constantly.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 26 September and 31 October starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk..
Nicolas Wheatley
M5-M50 Narrow Gauge Modellers – report 25 July 2016
Next meeting: Monday 29 August (Bank Holiday).
Our July meeting was attended by 24 people and as usual Martyn Davies brought along a selection of 009 Peco goods from Hereford Model Centre, giving the opportunity for people to purchase desired items.
On the 009 test track Ian Kirkwood was running a very small steam loco made from a Saltwood Models kit dating back to the 1980s but still working well. It was pulling a 4 wheel coach, made from a Mercian Models etched nickel-silver kit, the whole ensemble looking very fine. Dave Churchill demonstrated an experimental test track using a battery powered, radio-controlled ‘Crochat’ railcar, surely an unusual power and control type for 009! A small building was located in a heavily vegetated (sugar cane?) location which covered the Tomix tram track, so the on-board power supply overcame any electrical supply problems caused by the vegetation covering the track.
The working party set up to progress plans for the Tewkesbury show reported on its first meeting, and invitations to layout exhibitors, traders and societies were shortly being sent out. Keep checking the dedicated website (www.narrowgaugetewkesbury.co.uk) for latest details of the show, information is added constantly.
You are assured of a warm welcome at our meetings, in the company of like-minded narrow-gauge enthusiasts. We meet on the last Monday of the month, our next meetings being on 29 August (Bank Holiday) and 26 September starting at 19.30 hours at Twyning village hall near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6DF. Contact Nicolas by phone or email nicolaswheatley@m5m50ngm.co.uk.