Today our focus was on maroon and red locomotives and stock. Once the circuit was set up Tim ran a GWR pannier that he had just picked up on e-bay for £100 and which will reappear in due course in London Transport red. In keeping with today’s focus the pannier was pulling an ex-GWR bogie brake third, a Midland PBV parcels van and two coaches all in various shades of red.
John B ran his B4 with a short train and Bill ran his BR Class 03 shunter with a LMR full brake in maroon, a 6-wheel parcels van and an ex-SR 4 wheel PMV regrettably in blue.
I gave my new SECR D Class its maiden outing on the circuit, or indeed anywhere, running it in before it gets chipped for DCC. Once that had had a good run I ran my SECR O1 Class now with working inside motion to hide the gap below the boiler. On the big table Geoff had two red coaches and a couple of saddle tanks and Steve had some diesel shunters. While all this was going on and nobody was looking David Ho worked in the store room on the micro layout adjusting the front siding amongst other things.
Over lunch I reported that Paul W had e-mailed his contact at the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway and had received a reply which I then read out. There are a number of interesting options but the sticking point may be the requirement for a minimum number of 20 for a group trip. Anyway Paul should be at the next meeting so we can discuss it further then.
In the June newsletter David Ho had suggested either Badlesham or Southmere as the name for the latest iteration of the micro layout. On a vote Southmere romped home in second place with Badlesham several lengths ahead so Badlesham it is. John D told us that there is to be a diesel driving day at Mangapps Farm and is to get more information in case anybody wishes to tag along. Geoff referred to the discussion at the AGM concerning suggestions for the club’s future and asked how that had progressed. Tim reported that an e-mail group had been set up and that the group would be submitting their recommendations in due course. In between fine tuning the circuit with his trusty hammer and beavering away on Badlesham David Ho somehow managed to keep us all provided with teas and coffees. Chris
