Benjamin Brady

Good Morning, We have returned and unloaded now from Sheffield, we had an excellent weekend and the layout ran as well as it had done in the past. The stock behaved better than we could of imaged and running it with the 1997 feel was well received. We also enjoyed running the stock like this but then it how we remember Crewe before the advent of the Pendolinos and Voyagers. We did forget one stock box but we muddled though and had enough locos for the weekend. We are thinking we shall be running the layout very similar at Shrewsbury so the next task is to detail some of the stock up in preparation for that show.

We are ready for the second day at Sheffield. The layout ran well yesterday and we had a really enjoyable show. It was a very enjoyable show and the layout had plenty of positive comments. We are running with a 1997 feel to the layout.

Good Evening, We are all set up for the Sheffield show at Birkdake School. Most of the stock is on and a few more items to put on in the morning. The first outing of the layout since Bala so we looking forward to playing trains

Good Afternoon, Well that is all the stock packed now for the show this weekend. We are looking forward to the weekend and a chance to get Weaver Hill out again the first time since Bala (September) last year. Hopefully any running issues should soon settle down.

Good Morning, Just a quick reminder that it is the 0 gauge open day tomorrow at Alsager Railway Association. The layout shall be running with both DCC and DC and everyone is welcome to bring stock. Tea and coffee as always shall be available through the day. The club is located just off moorhouse Ave, located next door to the air cadets.

I think what has been stated here is all correct. I agree with the comments that, we as a team are just happy to have the invites and enjoy the exhibiting. For some shows there is no need to charge expenses due to their cause such at Corris. A few from Alsager attend this show every year as it's an enjoyable weekend and a member has local accommodation. We have attended a show were we were only provided a bed and not breakfast but this was no hardship and we found a sutible cafe which all adds to the experiance. Also with experiance of running a show the free tea and coffee can soon mount up and it is a privilege to be offered this at shows. I always try and add something to the donation pot. On the tea and coffee side of things I've always wondered of a system similar to how we used to operate in the club would work. We used to charge 25p a cup for club nights. Now we always go away with four operators so each time we want a round it would only cost £1 realistically it is not going to cost a great deal over the weekend. All in all though we are lucky to have a layout that has been able to attend so many show and we are looking forward to more in the future

I think the comment above the accommodation about being all part of the exhibiting fun as you never really know what you are going to get. Some of the smaller shows can have some choice rooms and the bigger ones. Spalding in the housing development, four to a room and kitchen was always a good laugh. Personally the allowance is not a bad thing, however I think the amount needs to realistically reflect the price of bed and breakfast in the local area of the show, which the £70 offered at the NEC is not going to cover. Most shows we have visited we have been offered bed and breakfast. I think maybe the issue key world face here is the way different shows operator with military modellers not demanding quite as much in exspenses to display at a show.

I missed you today I noted the NHS 66, I was at SSN keeping the wheels of industry turning along with yourself.

Good Afternoon, Just a quick update to let you all know that our next open day shall take place on 7th April 2024.

As we all like a moan I'll join in. It's more the lack or joined up thinking from Hornby for myself. I'd of been interested in the GNER HST had they made it post Mallard refurbishment. It feels odd they decided to change thier GNER 91 from pre mallard to post half way though the announcement period. Maybe the HST shall go the same way. I'd of though having both the HST and 91 that could run together would be better. I understand there of course was a crossover period between for the mallard refurbishment, but the slight difference is enough to put me off, yet annoyingly I'd rather of had the pre refurbished GNER mk4 set. I ordered it originally as it was advertised as this, i even wrote to Hornby to complain of their change of mind. I'll still part with some of my cash and order a Purple 67.

Good Morning, Firstly thank you to all those that turned up yesterday, I hope you had a good day. Thank you for the vid Jim, I am sorry I could not make it down in the end, last minute work calls. I am glad you also managed to find the place, we do need to get a sign put up so it is easier for visitors to find.

Good evening, Just a quick reminder that it's our open day tomorrow at 11am until 4pm tomorrow.

I'm not sure it has anything to do with the current scene, I feel that the modern railway is fairly well covered. Weaver hill has tried to adapt to the current scene we started the layout running stock from around 2013 and have now moved forward and are running stock around 2019. However even I feel we might have to leave it stuck in that period now. The layout is displayed with Virgin Red has the house colours which now is even a thing of the past. Personally I think the area that's lacking is really the 25kv emu. I though it was odd Bachmann chose to produce a 350 with very little geographical scope and very few liveries when produced and as a result they ended up in the bargain bin. I think some of the first gen emus would sell well. The 305 has an large geographical scope along with the 308, people must buy br blue ac electrics as Bachmann have produced a lot of varients of the 85 so maybe a 310/312. These units can also be used right up to privatisation before more modern units came on stream. I welcome the 323 from Dapol and shall buy at least one. Hoerver I like units and running passenger stock. I like the mundane railway that's mentioned earlier in the thread. As for manufactures they know the market and they know units don't sell or sell as well as a loco. How many modern layout include a fuel point or some sort of freight handling just so you are able to show off a loco.

Good Morning, Just a few photos of the layout from last Thursday and the chance to run some trains. The fiddle yard has been added now and is in full operation on the layout. The next area that is being focused on is the engine shed area, along with the extension of platform 4. The has meant the bay has been shortened into a parcels dock. The removal of the bridge has also created another chance to create a smaller exhibition layout for the club and there are a few members working on this. They are working on turning the layout into a 25ft x 10ft roundy round 0 gauge layout. It's first intended showing is at Corris next year. We also have the colliery booked in for Maccasfield show in 2024.

I am also sure there is a LNER book where they manage to derail an S160. I am sure it is based around Darlington, he starts out at Selby shed maybe, NER enginemen or something.

Ah don't you love formatting. I've managed to lose the times off it. Anyway thank you for noticing it's 11am - 4am so I'll make sure that's altered.

The same effect was being used on our other layout, the intention being this was a tunnel prior to a platform and it was all on the straight.

Hi, I have to agree with what people are saying on tunnel mouths and we have fallen a little foul of a shallow tunnel. Reading Tony's approach for his layouts we should have at least employed a light box to kill some of the light. It is tight on the very inside radius to bring the 4 tracks around. Some stock us unable to run on the inside due to that. We did want to try and portray the railway going straight and for those who have seen Weaver Hill most of the scenery on that board is taken over with the monument and rest of the world modelling.

No one that I know of. It was just a comment earlier on about not expecting to see it from Dapol. I'm very please it had been announced and I hope it is a shift to more a emu from all manufacturers

Is this the reason the announcement is so early as there is a duplication on the way