First Layout visit – March 16th It was a dark and stormy afternoon when we returned to the layout loft , but at least the snow had thawed.  After the great clean out the first wheels turned: Geoff’s LBSCR “Terrier” on Cavedale, then Barry’s sure-footed SECR D1 test running circuits.  The layout had survived winter […]

Nine people lunched before our December meeting in Faversham.  Just across the road from the “Chimney Boy” Ross photographed a SR sign in the antique shop.  Possibly it had come from the Brookwood Cemetery station.  Mince pies, hot and soft drinks had been organised for, plus a sale of books and track.  We started with

“At the Show”  –  report by Ross Shimmon Geoff Roberts invited the EKOGG to take part in an Area 10 (South East) one day exhibition at Temple Ewell near Dover in early November.  With an air of optimism we agreed to take our (trans)portable layout ‘Nailbourne’ for its first outing.  It is based on a

Faversham Meeting  17th November 2012 We had a dozen for our “Bring a Book and a Model” afternoon.  Ross brought a circle of track which we set out at the front of the room with locos and stock.  At the back of the room another table held more stock, a loco and news items.  My L&Y Pug pottered round with

On September 15th Nigel scaled a ladder and hacked the invading creepers, clearing the small window, daylight streaming in on twelve modellers and their trains.  Landscaping continued on Cavedale and began on Nailbourne with profiles to the tunnel end.  David had been busy since Telford, assembling the main frames and wheels of a Nelson, plus its

June 16th.  Layout Session The first of ten members arrived and picnicked with a family of spotted flycatchers nearby, before following Joe up to the layout.  Trestles were completed, baseboard frames surfaced and Nailbourne’s point motors investigated.  John ran his pannier tank and a mogul.  Barry’s King Arthur was on the other track while he

Working Sessions for Nailbourne David and Colin organised their working day and had the residents supplying them with coffee and cakes! The electrics continued to be tested and platforms were positioned. Ron planned a road bridge for the layout, based on one he knows and a control panel table was made. Alastair conducted his family

Chill rain again featured on 6th May. Robin prepared hot drinks as Alastair demonstrated his latest invention. Control panels, trestles, platform edges and connections were being worked on. Various Jintys appeared on freights, plus a weathered Crab. Ron was running a GER 2-4-2t; a type he remembers footplating. Colin C’s shop fronts were dusted off,

28th April: A quiet meeting today. Roger ran his H class with a short goods train until it decided to run erratically. Roger and Robin had a look at it but had to be retired for works attention later. Robin ran his new Heljan Crompton. He bought it last year but today was the first

Ross got things moving at the March 10th meeting in town when he brought a holdall filled with set track, which was soon laid out on tables. His B4 happily trundled round with mineral wagons, though the tight radius limited larger locos! Les supplied us with shortbread biscuits while people looked at restoration projects and

Seventeen people came to our AGM and Model Competition which finished in the dusk, beating the snow by a few hours. There was a good selection of models on display, plus the 6 foot long Tar Works layout. Barry’s Bulleid pacifics topped the voting for locos. John’s Victorian coach won its class and David’s freight

Fifteen of us battled it out, with bottles of Kentish beer as the prize, in Ross’ Christmas Quiz.  Despite despair and head scratching we had great fun and enjoyed the photo section.  Photos of Garth ’s layout in Australia played while mince pies  were given out.  A refurbished B4 tank trundled on a rolling road

We’d tucked up the layout for the winter in the gloom of a misty November 5th. The Nailbourne team got their last track fixed down just as our layout season ran out and are planning for the spring. We chatted over lunch in Faversham before our first afternoon meeting of the autumn season.  We began

By August’s end Nailbourne had gained its first ballasted track.  On the opposite side, an M7 was running on Cavedale while they planned buildings and scenics.  Large drawings of P tanks were poured over, and “Railrider” posters were on display for the twelve members to look at over tea.. August started with a line up

The highlight of spring was our celebration of 25 Years of modelling. Founder Members Les Gibson, Maurice Baker, Peter Hingley & Ross Shimmon cut our 25 Year cake. [RJM] We celebrated our 25 Years in style. Wine flowed, cakes were cut, by the Founder Members present, and acquaintances renewed. Displays of models old and new, plus

The last trains for the season were run then we covered the layout with its winter protection ready for our return in spring. Curved modules now exactly fit between Nailbourne and Cavedale.  Earlier the team patched a hole through the floor into the workshop below! October’s town meeting featured fascinating footage from LMS film of 1930’s operation, with sections

The summer warmth often kept us around the picnic table, but Nailbourne’s base boards took shape.  Cavedale’s approaches were laid while our trains were on the circuit. Our display tracks were in Faversham for Kent’s Garden Railway Show on July 10th.  With a good turn out, setting-up and testing of the banana shaped tracks went well

After February’s AGM we had our Model Show with more items on display than ever.  Locos in various stages of construction, rakes of wagons and lineside buildings. Certificates were presented to several members. Malcolm Parker, an excellent model maker of the Edwardian era of the South East & Chatham Railway, had died early in the