itsme

Although not on the layouts list at the moment, I have my invite and Norman Colliery recently featured in the July edition of Railway Modeller will be attending. We will be in hall 4, come and see us in the flesh.

I know you did,t really want to hear from existing volunteers but I have been involved with both sides of the hobby and it does have its advantages. I first started out with modelling by joining my local club in Nottingham and went on to help build Deepcar and Carstairs, this was on tuesday nights.On saturdays and wednesday nights I used to go to Swanwick and helped with the restoration of Deltic 15. While there I was asked to train to be a second man on our loco, which then led to riding on several different classes as well. The point is that I was able to check out all these locos at close quarters for free so that when I came to start modelling in O gauge I was able to measure them in great detail. I know I am very lucky to have an understanding wife , but I think she is glad to have saturdays to herself whist I am at Barrow Hill still working on those pesky Deltics. These two sides of the hobby do have the advantage of travelling all over the country exhibiting at exhibitions with layouts and also supporting locos at preserved railways. So my advise is get involved if you can, both sides of the hobby can be great fun.

I am based in Arnold and a long term member of the Nottingham MRS.

My layout Norman Colliery was attending its first show in the running shed and I thought the dark and smoky atmosphere really added to the run down feeling of an end of life colliery that I am trying to create. I would like to thank the lads who organised the show for their hospitality and letting me loose on the public with my efforts.