Phil Copleston

Dave, Thanks for your kind comments. Tho' I shudder to think of the medical application of your "post speculum jar". Yikes! I'll stick to celebrating with a safer 'post-spectaculum' jar or two!

And finally... here we are 'relaxing' in the pub afterwards - 'The Organ Inn' in the High Street, Warminster, - enjoying a few 'post-spectaculum' jars... Cheers!

Here we are... I finally got around to uploading my Warminster show pictutes. There are some thirty photos which follow that I took to commemorate the day - specifically of people, the atmosphere, the cakes and the heaving crowds! (I have named the people I happen to know.) First, some general shots over the main hall - mainly layouts and traders: Andy Cundick operates his Irish ‘Valencia Harbour’ layout (4mm scale, 21mm gauge) as Noel Adams (far left) looks on. Now some views of the crowded 'stage' area - which included layouts and demos: 4mm P4 ‘Horselunges’ layout on the left, with Iain Rice and Simon Castens on the right talking to visitors about Cameo Layouts and Gauge One modelling, respectively. This area got very packed, as can be seen, particularly in the morning. Maggie (left) and Gordon Gravett (right, in front of sign) talk to visitors as they preview their new 7mm scale ‘Arun Quay’ layout. As you can see, it was at times quite difficult to get a clear shot of any of the layouts! Martyn Welch and Barry Norman (talking to Philip Hall) showing off 7mm and S7 modelling, Cheer up Barry! John Holden (left) mans the S Scale MRS demo stand, while Tony Hall operates his 16mm narrow gauge mini-layout/scenery demo. Tom Everitt ('TomE', centre) operate's John Greenwood's 2mm finescale 'St Blazey Roundhouse' diorama layout while chatting to visitors. Paula Martin and Mark Fielder (2mmMark) on the 2mm Scale Association's stand. And now... those famous home-made cakes! And views of folks in the rest areas: Steph Reynolds (right, Kim Clifford’s daughter) and Emma Harman (centre) help visitors to the spread of delicious homemade cakes. Kim Clifford ('Mrs Queensquare', left) heads the catering team's preparations in the kitchen. The exhibition's organiser, Jerry Clifford ('queensquare', right), is 'in the pink', as it were, while chatting to a visitor: Despite Jerry's pre-show anxieties, the day was going rather well! Gerry Beale (sometime MRJ editor and author) sitting on left, Mike Raithby (Manchester MRS, and erstwhile 2mm 'Chee Tor' layout) in light blue shirt holding cup, sitting left centre. The always-busy 'Pre-Loved Sales' Bring & Buy stall and cash-desk area in the foyer next: And back into the main hall... John Birkett-Smith ('JohnBS') operates his superb N-gauge ‘Ashburton’ layout. Adrian Ponting (right) operates his 009 layout ‘Aldbourne’ – a Lynton and Barnstable inspired terminus – as William Loyd talks to a visitor. The Greenscenes stand. And that's it! I hope you enjoyed this visual ramble round the exhibition focusing on people and the general atmosphere - particularly if you couldn't make the show. I heard some very complimentary comments about the exhibits and the show on the day. Personally, I had a fantastic time - I enjoyed every minute of this memorable show. A veritable triumph for Jerry and the team! Now I can't wait for the next one in two years time...

I suspect what Jerry is getting at is that the Midland storage roads will act more like American-style "staging tracks" from which a set sequence of trains depart and arrive. Only once the operating sequence is completed will it be necessary to open up and access the tracks to reverse the trains for the next sequence to begin. This would suit Bath's Midland Railway end-to-end operation well. Quite different from British-style "fiddle yards" in which trains are dealt with individually.

Wild horses (or winds) wouldn't keep me away, CK. See ya there,fellow curry-loving SWAGers!

Another late addition, folks! On behalf of the SWAG organising team: Through a very kind extra donation from a SWAG member of £51.25 the total we raised at SWAG 2017 for Macmillan Nurses has now reached a magnificent £1,000 exactly. I think we can all be very happy with that result! Incidentally, should you wish to donate online to Macmillan Nurses yourself, you can do this at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate Do it in your own name by choosing the second option "I would like to make a one-off donation" so you can claim Gift Aid, which raises your donation by 25p in the Pound, i.e. 25%. Lookin' forward to SWAG 2018 already....

Not just nice but phwwaaar!

Yes of course, Don. Our SWAG focus will always be on modelling and good company. Although raising money for charity while we do it seems like a win-win to me! (warm glow all round)

Rob, Thanks. And what a great idea! Though I suspect Neil (Black Rat) with his blinding shirts will win hands down every time...

T'were only a comment made in jest! Just being positive about what we achieved, rather than setting a new "bench mark". We'll just have to see what happens next year...

Thank you, Sandy! Yes, I think we did rather well for a low-key, one-day event. Although actually, the £948.75 donated included the 25% Gift Aid. (see post #317 for breakdown) Next year perhaps we ought to aim for a thousand smackers for a good cause.

Folks, As a tail-end follow up: I've just had a very nice lady from Macmillan Nurses, Plymouth local office, call me to thank us for the huge donation we made last month. As I uploaded the money in my name (to qualify for Gift Aid) she of course had no idea that this came from a group charity event. So I enlightened her... I think she thought it rather marvellous that a bunch of railway modellers could raise so much cash during a one-day event! I also mentioned that a colleague (Andy Y) had also seperately uploaded a donation to Macmillan from Stafford. But that will be acknowleged from their branch office in that part of the country. She is sending me her email address so that next year (if we wish) she can provide us with info leaflets or other promotional material for our Taunton "do". I said that probably just some Macmillan leaflets would be sufficient. She also offered to send us a thank-you letter and donation certificate, but I politely declined, suggesting we'd rather that Macmillan save the money for their cause. Which she agreed to do. Just thought you'd all like to know. Edit to add this: I've just had this email from Macmillan, so pass it on to you all: Hi Phil Good to speak to you just now and thanks again for supporting Macmillan through the Model Railway event. We rely on donations to support the growing number of people affected by cancer. Our aim is to support them from diagnosis and through treatment for as long as they need us. We would be very grateful if you would consider supporting Macmillan again through your event and please do let me know when you need supporting literature. I can also order merchandise such as Pin Badges, Collecting Buckets, Balloons and Bunting – should you wish to have any of this? Thanks again for your support Kind regards Sian Ward-Edwards Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Manager - Plymouth, North Devon & Tamar Valley

Thanks Andy. With any luck, we might make it a thousand next year!

Dear fellow SWAGonians... We did it! Andy Y and I are very pleased to announce that we both made online donations today on your behalf to Macmillan Nurses charity as a result of the monies raised at our SWAG meeting in Taunton last Sunday. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate The final figures are now in: The big news is that catering made £130.00 (£200.00 with Gift Aid) and the Bring & Buy made £629.00 (£748.75 with Gift Aid). £30.00 for a loco sale was later transfered to the catering total as they paid Andy directly. Thus, with added Gift Aid this makes a staggering grand total of £948.75 we’ve been able to donate to a very worthy cause. So, well done - I think we can all be proud of this magnificent benevolent achievement! In summary, on the Bring & Buy stall we had a total of 208 items donated including second-hand books (and a few MRJ magazines), kits and finished models, tools and a goodly number of ready-to-run items. All of which got thoroughly picked over and a lot were sold. The dozen reduced-price brand new ‘Cameo Layouts’ books (Wild Swan) sold out like the proverbial ‘hot cakes’ - all were gone by early afternoon! As a result, I believe Simon was handed some Cameo Layout Competition entry forms before he escaped to grice trains on the West Somerset Railway after lunch. Organisationally, the lack of ready cash for big ticket items was an issue for some people. But we hope to address that for next time (option to pay by machine). Naturally, your suggestions for improving the Bring & Buy for next year are most welcome. Especial thanks go to Simon Castens (Not Jeremy) and Tim Maddocks (Captain Kernow) who personally made particularly generous donations to the Bring & Buy stall, while several others kindly gave more or all of their 10% commission donation or rounded it up in our favour. My personal thanks also to Kim Clifford (“Mrs Queensquare” - but please don't call her that!) who helped me set out the Bring & Buy tables, calmed down this particular headless chicken, kept good records, and who did a lot of the taking of your hard earned cash... Our heartfelt thanks also go to all of you who generously volunteered your help on the day and behind the scenes, brought along super layouts and modules, our resident traders Kernow Models and The Model Shop, Exeter, bought cakes and pasties and a cuppa, donated or bought stuff from the Bring & Buy, and who simply managed to make it to Taunton to partake in a weekend of railway and modelling-related fun and good craic. I think we all had a brilliant day out (and the day before, for those who attended). As a gathering of RMweb friends and a place to show each other our modelling achievements, this is surely what SWAG is all about. I know I thoroughly enjoyed myself! Finally, you will no doubt be pleased to hear we are already planning next year’s event! New layouts, more attractions, yummy catering temptations and an expanded (and better organised!) Bring & Buy stall. And to put your minds at rest, yes definitely at the same venue and at the end of April 2018! Thank you one and all. Onwards and upwards to next year’s SWAG extravaganza! All the best till next time round...

Hear, hear!

Thank you so much. Nice to know the Bring & Buy was appreciated. I'll tell you, it took a lot more behind-the-scenes oranising than you might expect! What with forms, signs, stewards badges and bringing display tables from home, etc. But it was well worth it, I think. By the end of the day we seemed to have shifted quite a lot of stuff from some peoples gloat boxes into others' boxes and shelves... Still, it makes people happy, doesn't it! And commission on sales certainly helped swell our collective contribution to the Macmillan Nurses charity. (More on that score from Andy Y later, no doubt.) The good lady in question was none other than Kim Clifford ("Mrs Queensquare")! Kim was brilliant on the day helping me organise the stuff on the tables, taking the money and record keeping - it all has to be above board and accountable, y'know. Anyway, my grateful thanks to Kim. We hope to do it all again next year for SWAG 2018, if you'll have us back with 'The Good Captain's Bring & Buy' stall?

Which reminds me... The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall I need a couple of willing 'volunteers' to help me out on Sunday taking turns on the B&B stall for an hour or so each, logging in goods, taking monies, keeping records (ticking off items on the lists) and generally whipping the unruly hoards into order. There will be 'official' B&B badges to wear too! (possibly a free cuppa, as well) PM me off list if you can help. Ta!

Well, m'good Capt'n... By way of thanking you for all your years of dedicated effort in organising this annual event, I reckon this is SWAG's equivalent to a memorial park bench! We will all remember you every time monies change hands (grasping b*st*ards, that we are). Of course, should you wish to 'volunteer' on the day as an 'Official Steward' on the Bring & Buy, then that might liven things up even further! A bit like looking round and finding the memorialised person sitting at the other end of the park bench...

T'was only in jest. T'would be nice, tho'

Aberdares are all very well and characterful engines. But now, a Kruger complete with saddle sandbox 'n all? Ahhh, now you're talking! And in 2-6-0 and 4-6-0 versions too, please. Yup, beauty is truly in the eye of this beholder.

Just in case you missed it over on the 'official' SWAG 2017 webpage - here's a reminder and update from me... announcing (again): The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall (as it is now called) Turn your old stuff into cash or pick up a bargain on the infamous SWAGONIAN second-hand sales stall! Yes, we all like a good rummage and a bargain. So the more the merrier - please bring along your unwanted modelling kits and bits, tools, books, materials and even finished models (but no rubbish or magazines, please). Make money - then spend it again! And remember, it's all in a good cause - 10% of monies raised will go to our designated charity, the rest to the seller. Our ever-helpful badge-wearing 'Official Stewards' will be on hand to take your hard-earned cash! Please download, print out and fill in the form below (instructions on the reverse): (NB. this is a slightly revised version of the previous form) RMweb SWAG Taunton Meeting, 30 Apr 2017 - 'The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall' Form.pdf Copies of the form and spare labels will also be available on the day. See you all on Sunday, 30th April for a cracking day out ~ at Staplegrove Village Hall, 214, Staplegrove Road, Taunton, TA2 6AL Full details and line-up over on the 'official' SWAG 2017 webpage are found in post #1 here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/120694-swag-2017-lineup-details-catering-all-you-need-to-know/

And a gentle reminder from me... announcing (again): The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall (as it is now called) Turn your old modelling and railway stuff into cash, or pick up a bargain on the infamous SWAGONIAN second-hand sales stall! Yes, we all like a good rummage and a bargain. So the more the merrier - please bring along your unwanted modelling kits and bits, tools, books, materials and even finished models (but no rubbish or magazines, please). Make money - then err, spend it again. Our ever-helpful badge-wearing 'Official Stewards' will be on hand to take your hard-earned cash! And remember, it's all in a good cause - 10% of monies raised will go to our designated charity, the rest to the seller. Please download, print out and fill in the form below (instructions on the reverse): (NB. this is a slightly revised version of the previous form) RMweb SWAG Taunton Meeting, 30 Apr 2017 - 'The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall' Form.pdf Copies of the form and spare labels will also be available on the day. See you all on Sunday, 30th April for a cracking day out ~ at Staplegrove Village Hall, 214, Staplegrove Road, Taunton, TA2 6AL Full details and line-up in post #1 here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/120694-swag-2017-lineup-details-catering-all-you-need-to-know/

Mark, You are correct, well at least some of the kits were to 1:150 scale. This is a list of the Beaver/ABS 'N-gauge' locos: BR Class 04 Drewry Diesel shunting loco (fit to MINITRIX 0-6-0T LMS Dock Tank chassis) BR Class 03 Standard Diesel shunting loco (fit to MINITRIX 0-6-0T LMS dock Tank chassis) GWR "1366" 0-6-0 Pannier Tank (fit to MINITRIX LMS 0-6-0T chassis) LNER "J63" 0-6-0 Tank Loco (fit to MINITRIX LMS 0-6-0T chassis) GWR "56XX" 0-6-2 Side Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis) LNER "J52" 0-6-0 Saddle Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis) LMS ex HR 0-6-4 Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis) LMS "Flatiron" ex MR 0-6-4 Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis) The kits listed to fit the Minitrix chassis were to 1:150 scale, but in one or two distinct areas were 'stretched' in the long dimension to accommodate the commercial chassis. If you place the models against a 2mm drawing it immediately becomes apparent where this has been done. It is then a simple process to chop out the offending section. For instance, the lengthened section in the GWR "1366" tank is about 2mm forward of the cab opening, between there and the front spectacle sheet. Width-wise it is spot-on for 2mm scale. John Greenwood did this with his "1366": He cut out the forward section of the cab and mounted the body on a scratchbuilt 2mm chassis. Result, a very attractive and useful and true-to-scale 2mm loco. I have the LNER "J63" and have done the same, except the extra metal was in the stretched height of the cab sides to accommodate the huge Minitrix motor. A replacement cab top resolved that issue. Width-wise it is exactly 2mm scale. As for the Grafar chassis models, I'm not so sure. I've seen the HR 0-6-4T and MR Flatiron on 2mm finescale chassis and they look very acceptable as true 2mm scale models. But whether any parts were "chopped out" before assembly to bring them into scale, I don't know. Perhaps someone can comment on these two kits? I also have an LNER "J52" and it is both too wide and too long for exact 2mm scale, but can be cut-down to look closer to scale. The saddle tank and cab are too wide. Nice boiler castings though, so probably worth the effort. As for the GWR "56xx", I've not examined one close-up, so can't offer a first-hand opinion - but I suspect the castings have been streched to fit the Grafar chassis in the same way as the "J52". Again, perhaps someone else has experience with this kit? As with all things like this, it is well worth laying the parts against a 2mm scale drawing for comparison where any streched areas of the kit becomes immediately apparent and you will then know what to do. Your local photocopier is for this purpose!

I thought it was "You are Lobby Lud and I claim my five pounds". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobby_Lud But more fittingly in this instance, perhaps it ought to be "You are Mrs Queenssquare and I claim my go with the controller"!

Ermm... maybe I missed it, but why is 'Not Jeremy' not going to be with us this year? (if that's not a double negative question)