Hi,

Long time since I did a post on Hythe, but it has rather taken a back seat over the past few months because of holidays and also work on my 2011 Challenge Layout, Roads A-C, as well as some other things

But, soon we realised that Hythe's next show is approaching:

17th and 18th September: RSME show - Southcote Primary School, Reading

Having had some trouble at the Abingdon show back in March with the wiring, we decided to re-make the control panel and re-wire the feeds to the point motors, which were the major cause of the trouble, as well as sort the problems with the extension.

So we purchased a ready made control panel from Rapid Electronics, we found that Squires panels were more expensive than the ones on Rapid, but they were exactly the same. We have wired it all up and tested it, and to us, it's made the points work abit better.

There are a couple of things that make the Reading show significant for Hythe Parkway, firstly, it is Hythe's first 2-day show, so it should be interesting to see how it works out.

The secound is that it could potentially be Hythe's last show on the circuit, I say potentially because the decision to withdraw Hythe from the circuit depends on 2 things:

1.) If any exhibition invites are recieved from the Model Rail Article (in the July issue of Model Rail, No. 159)

2.) If any exhibition invites are recieved during the Reading Show

If it is a no to both of those, we are going to, regretfully, withdraw Hythe Parkway from the Exhibition circuit. However if any you know any exhibition managers who would might like Hythe Parkway, please ask them to email me at hythe.parkway@tesco.net

But at the Reading show, we should be able to bring you (Hopefully) better operation and a couple of new locos, the first being a Bachmann Freightliner Class 70 No. 70006:

The secound is K's Southern Q1 0-6-0 No. 33028, this was brought at the Guildford Show for £20, and has Markits Wheels, a Mashima Motor, a Comet Gearbox and tender pickups installed ( I won't say anything about the smokebox door number plate being different to the cabsides! ):

I've also taken some preview photos for the show:

I hope to see you at the show and comments are welcome!

Simon