General

Not much to report on Sarre. It enjoyed good use on 20th April with a number of branch and industrial locos and trains being run. The highlight was the early KESR train that Ross brought along from the Tenterden Museum. One of the points played up again but David Ho will sort this. Scenically, we need to […]

The track plan has been finalised, overcoming some tricky problems making it fit with the need to connect easily with the rest of the circuit. Track laying has begun, and should progress reasonably quickly, if members are willing to pitch in and help. We have enough components to make a good start, Paul and I

On a beautiful sunny day seventeen of us forsook the attractions of the great outdoors to congregate in the shade at Badlesmere to discuss all things railways and even do a bit of modelling. Edington was set up and before people started running trains, John B and Jackie adopted their usual positions on the big

Today’s focus was on DMUs, EMUs and railcars. The circuit was quickly set up (although possibly the wrong way round) once people had remembered how it all went together. John P then went off message running his reconditioned R1 before various multiple units and railcars appeared. Sean took the opportunity to run his 2EPB set

This was yet another very interesting Saturday Skills session with Roger giving an excellent talk on applying transfers.

Badlesmere welcomed fourteen of us to focus on Sarre and shunting stock. There was a good supply of goods wagons together with a few four wheel coaches. There was also a good amount of loco power including Roger’s Terrier, my R class and Bill’s M7. In addition to that Ross also brought along some beautiful

Despite a couple of Covid absentees fifteen of us managed to overcome the Kent Lorry Park that was backing up from Dover and find their way to Badlesmere . Early arrivals set up the circuit and hoped that somebody would arrive with something to run on it. Fortunately Fred, Geoff and John B had locos

Fred showed us the drafts of the new banner and promotional leaflets that he had been preparing for the Group, these were very well received and after discussion one or two minor tweaks will be considered before final approval at our next meeting. Our Saturday Skills slot then continued with Bill giving an excellent talk on figure painting which

Seventeen members converged on Badlesmere to focus on Edington and RTR stock.Plenty of freight stock was in evidence together with a Pannier tank and David G’s custard and cream GWR railcar along with a tiny SDJR 0 4 0 saddle tank. Roger and others also had a play on Edington which we will offer up

Today’s theme on the circuit was “Overseas and US Stock”. Despite this most people ran British locos although “Overseas” was ably represented by Roger’s lengthy train of aCanadian diesel and several freight cars or goods wagons as we call them in the old country. While that was going on Tim and John P together with

We all sat enthralled while Fred expounded on the mysteries of weathering locos and other stock.Fred’s advice was to know before you start what effect it is you want to achieve and to study photographic examples rather than try to make it up as you go along. Fred brought along many of his own models that he had weathered and

After some initial discussion concerning the correct methodology of setting up the circuit we settled down to various modelling tasks Theme of the day on the circuit was “Big Steam”. David G ran his 8 F and Crab 2 6 0 with a rake of Stanier red & cream coaches , I ran my SECR E Class with

Finally after nearly two years of lock downs and Covid restrictions we were able to gather round one big table together to do some model ling , talk about some modelling we had done , talk about some modelling we were going to do and generally while away a few hours. Paul W and Barry

Our first meeting of 2022 encouraged members to bring along bogie diesel locos, so we saw Geoff’s No.10,000, David Ho’s Class 33, Roger’s Class 60 and 33, David G’s Class 24, kicked off by the fine sight of Paul W’s Class 47 and four red & cream coaches. Roger’s Class 47 succeeded in overheating the

Fifteen of us gathered for the annual quiz. Chairs were set out, the screen erected and the mini projector connected. David Ho with helpers prepared tea and coffee. Custard creams seemed the favourite biscuit in the absence of mince pies. Having led the team that won the quiz last time round, Roger H was the

With mask wearing was the norm, fourteen members had set The Circuit out when I arrived.  Sections of Sarre and Edington were receiving attention and several models were being assembled on the long table, including vans and road lorries.  Nearby, Tim had a tall brewery building taking shape. When members talked over our Open Afternoon,

Luckily, the Badlesmere Committee made it possible for us to ready the hall on Friday afternoon, so a party of us set out our two layouts and Circuit. Saturday dawned with wind, snow, hail and rain, not to mention a crop of accidents threatening to cut us. However, 17 of us managed to attend, as

Numbers built up during the morning when we had running on The Circuit, although some had other commitments after lunch. As well as crimson and cream stock running, there were several shades of green. Models were being assembled and sections of our layout Sarre were having scenic details added. John P had scenic items on

The Gravesend Railway Enthusiasts (GRES) club had invited us to their show in 2019 but, of course, it was cancelled as was the 2020 show.  Happily, this year it was on.  Roger set up the tables with cloths and the display stand on the Friday night. Although we only asked for 12 feet of space