Today’s focus on the circuit today was Kentish Private Owner Wagons and the lie was quickly given to the suggestion that we didn’t have many as over thirty of Kent’s finest appeared on the circuit and the modelling table! Having set up my train of private owner wagons with my SECR H Class, an annoying short occurred with the prevailing wisdom being that my H Class was at fault. However, after twenty minutes or so of trying to trace the problem, the prevailing wisdom was found to be wrong. My H Class was entirely innocent of all charges. The problem was actually in one of the circuit’s electrical connectors where a wire had worked itself loose. Roger also had a train of private owner wagons being hauled by a SECR H Class although his wagons tended to be mainly North Kent owners whereas mine were East Kent ones. Fred had also brought in a selection of Kentish private owner wagons including at least one from Sheppey which I think still counts as Kent.
Rob had brought in a selection of private owner’s wagons from the south west, as did David G, presumably on the basis of where they were going to rather than where they were coming from. On the big table Paul H continued working on his GWR riding vans and Steve worked on his Class 24 diesel which later had a run out on the circuit. John B and John D discussed garden railways and John B had some colourful LGB stock so very reminiscent of the Tonka Toys from the 1980s. Geoff had brought in an unusual Dutch tram engine of which amazingly Bill found a photograph of the prototype on the interweb.
At the previous meeting David Ho had set up the micro layout and asked for comments and suggestions. As there had only been a small number of members at that meeting it was agreed that David would set the micro layout up again at the 20th May meeting in order to get the views of the wider membership. Roger is to ask the East Sussex group if they would like us to attend their open day at Pett this year with a sales table. It was reported that the Gravesend group are planning to hold a smaller show and Roger is to ask them if they would like us to bring along a shunting plank or the micro layout if it is ready in time. As always David Ho kept up a regular supply of teas and coffees until we packed everything away and headed off home. Chris
