snitchthebudgie

Thank goodness so many people are taking a negative - or should I say realistic - view of the situation. Things have got a lot better over the past month, but we're not out of this pandemic yet. Some of the best articles that I have read on COVID are clear that the high risk areas are places where people are close together - for example restaurants, family gatherings and religious meetings. Although railway modelling doesn't require hugs and kisses, and it's not religious (except perhaps P4) the scrum around traders stalls and the best layouts in show - even in quite small exhibitions - must be a high risk situation. Please let's stay fluid in our response to COVID, and keep these discussions going. Perhaps some good ideas may come up as to how to stage a show in future?

Many thanks, Unfortunately, no drawings in Russell, except one side view. And Golden Arrow is unfortunately the wrong scale!

Has anyone seen drawings of the various Isle of Wight 2-4-0T's, that were the mainstay of pre-Southern days, and kept running into Southern Railway days? I've always wanted a model of one, as they were all most attractive little engines. Many thanks, Jon

We've just started planning N Gauge SouthEast, aiming at our usual dates in April 2021. In one way, it's easy to do as we will first be inviting all those who were coming to our cancelled show this year. I'm sure a few will have to drop out, but are hoping that most will be available. Yet who knows whether we can hold the exhibition then? We just have to do the groundwork, and go ahead only if it looks safe to do so.

Please add N Gauge SouthEast, 4th April 2020

NGSE 2020 - CANCELLED We are sorry to have to let you know that we have decided to cancel NGSE 2020. This may beat any government announcement over public gatherings, but we wanted to give as much warning as possible to everyone. We think this is the only way to go taking into account the safety of exhibitors, our members and the public. We very much want to stage NGSE 2021 at Reigate College, at much the same time of year, and hope to invite all this years potential exhibitors and traders.

With a week to go, and no stronger government advice (did anyone expect it?), I suspect Ally Pally should still happen, though numbers may be down. My problem is what to do in 3 weeks time for N Gauge SouthEast on April 4? And I suspect a number of other exhibition managers will have the same dilemma. Schools haven't been closed, so our venue is useable. And at least our potential losses are relatively small. But what will have happened in the next couple of weeks. I had half hoped for some draconian measures from Boris or from the Ally Pally show to give us a clear guide.....

You can't beat "Queen Camel" (Somerset)

The rate that my layout is getting built, I think I'll model the replacement bus instread….

As an exhibition manager for a small show, I inherited the limit of 5 feet, that allows two wheelchairs (or perhaps even two rucksacks) to pass. However, I have generally tried to maintain 2 metres at all locations. This is a bit wider, as we don't have barriers at the show, so the layouts need a little more breathing space. Space is always appreciated by visitors, so one or two wider areas to allow people to meet and talk are useful. And a wider area at the entrance to allow people to choose which trade stand to rush to first....

N Gauge SouthEast 2020 4 April 2020 10am-4pm Reigate College Rushworth Road Reigate RH2 0QF Following the success of this year's show, we've committed ourselves to NGSE 2020. The show will be on 4 April 2020, and it will be at a new site, Reigate College. The show will be a little smaller than Riddlesdown this year, but still a good size with 16 layouts, 9 traders and 2 societies. This facility does look as if it could be a regular home for us, access is a lot easier (it's just behind Reigate station), and a slightly smaller show will be more sustainable as an annual event (at least for the exhibition manager). The hall is a large single facility (no long walks between exhibits), using the two halves of the College refectory. It’s a modern, airy, space. Access to public transport is good, train or bus, and there is plenty of car parking on site. Here are the exhibitors for the 2020 show Layouts The Bridge at Remagen (WW2 Germany) Ainsley CMD (UK materials depot in the 1990's) Horseblock Lane (Post-privatisation shunting layout) Titling (Germany) Beckton (Northern part of the WCML in the early 1990s) Santa Barbara (Modern West Coast USA) Bahnbetriebswerk Königshafen (A small German locomotive service depot) Oakhurst (UK preservation line) Mindelheim Junction Ashenden Junction (A small SR branch line station) Southbridge (GWR 1934 -1948) Trinity Road (South Manchester in the 1960's.) Burngullow (WR hydraulics and china clay dries) Choates Lane (East London with HS1) Harper’s ferry (USA) ESNG N-club modules Traders BH Enterprises Plus Daughters N-Brass Locos JB ModelWorld Coastal DCC The Wagon Yard Squires Tools ESNG Club shop (second-hand sales) Neil's Emporium (second-hand sales) Societies N Gauge Society Network SouthEast RS Should be another good show!

I have mentioned the possibility of a site for donations on N Gauge Forum. I'm sure that there would be support across the modelling fraternity. Jon

They do indeed!

I think this may be the trader. http://www.modelrailsigns.co.uk/, but apologies to all if I am wrong. He booked in late for N Gauge Southeast as well.

A reminder that N Gauge SouthEast is on Saturday. I think that we have a good show on offer. Although it's all N gauge (with a 2mm FS representative), there will be enough good modelling for enthusiasts in all scales (well, perhaps less than Gauge 3, anyway!) Hope to see you there (look for the exhibition manager flying past....)

An anniversary and a new show East Surrey N Gauge celebrates 21 years of modular railway modelling and its 21st exhibition in 2019. This year’s show, titled N Gauge SouthEast will be our largest to date and is to be a joint show with the N Gauge Forum. It should be the 'N' gauge show of the south! There will be over 25 ‘N’ gauge layouts on display, including Ambleton Vale, Banbury, Forrestone, Lightermans Yard, Millfield Yard and Wenlock. There will be modular layouts from East Surrey N Gauge and the West Sussex ‘N’ Gauge MRC. 12 specialist traders and 3 society stands (including the N Gauge Society) will complete the show. The show will be held on Saturday 6th April 2019 at Riddlesdown Collegiate, Honister Heights, Purley, Surrey, CR8 1EX. The school offers level access and plenty of parking, and there will be a shuttle minibus from Purley Station. For further details, see the exhibition website. East Surrey N Gauge meets twice monthly in Redhill, where the club modular layout is set up and is available for running trains from all corners of the world. For details, see the club website. N Gauge Forum probably shouldn't be mentioned here.... www.ngaugesoutheast.co.uk/ & www.esng.club

Hi Chris, I mailed and PM'ed you about the G6 and O2 chassis, but have had no reply. Did something get lost???? Many thanks, Jon

Perhaps it's just that we don't want to miss out.....

Another PM send!!

Not sure about musical accompaniments.... Many years ago, I exhibited next to a Swiss layout, with a backing track of alpenhorns and cuckoo clocks. They were lucky to survive....

Coming to Redhill, Surrey on Saturday - the ESNG show. All 'N' gauge (plus a little 2mm and Nm). It's easy to visit us and the Horsham show in Crawley in one day. Hope to see you there.

My copy was delivered yesterday! I'm a South Londoner, but the photos are evocative of the east or south-east either side of the river. Enough material here for numerous urban projects.

Thanks! Though from photos the main differences are the front grille and cab - both easy to fix. Jon

I'm trying to decide whether to take the plunge into 2mm. I would start with a Wisbech & Upwell layout, using Farish O4 shunters with tram skirts. So my question is, what is the minimum amount of work on the Farish wheels needed to get them through 2mm points? I don't need full replacements, and cosmetics are not critical as the wheels are going to be hidden. Cheers, Jon