Chris Chewter

If you’re interested in reading more about the Carterton layout, an article has been published in the May 2024 edition of Railway Modeller.

One of the chaps from the model railway club cut together a video of the Carterton layout. Check it out here:

Have a great Easter everyone!

I can vouch that the Rapido W&U coaches make a very nice pairing with Lion!

They certainly were! There were layout ID sheets in the exhibitor packs. I can’t speak for others, but we had ours on display!

Managed to be offered the chance to run the EP B-set on the Carterton layout at Ally Pally last weekend.

A few photos of the 44xx EP on the Carterton layout at Ally Pally on Sunday.

Back in the land of the day job, and over lunch I've been looking through the photos and videos on the internet, and one thing that strikes me is the perspex. It does get in the way a bit. It's necessary as without barriers, kids will put their fingers on the edge of the layout, so a small lip is required. However the current perspex can certainly be reduced in height! I'll have to measure it and order a smaller replacement. It also needs a skirt to hide those legs, although that wasn't so noticeable. I better get ordering before its next outing!

Day two of Ally Pally and after breakfast at the hotel in St Albans, we headed down to Alexandra Palace for the doors to open for exhibitors. Upon arrival the layout covers were removed, trackwork cleaned, and locos removed from the stock box. Lots of comments about the ZTC panel I was using, however we noticed that locos running on the hand held controller were running slower and slower, until we realised that the plug on the back of the unit had been knocked loose. However the fiddle yard point managed to last two days without issue! The day seemed quieter with far less congestion getting around the exhibition. We also had a lot of comments about the backscene, which later proved to be a perfect backdrop for Rapidos 44xx and b-set prototypes! Before long it was time up, however this time the layout had to be packed away. The covers were refitted and it was loaded into the van ready for the journey home. I know that for some, exhibiting layouts can be daunting, but we’ve had great fun! The layouts now back into its store room ready to be sorted out for its next outing. Goodbye Ally Pally, it’s been a blast!

Snapped earlier today at Ally Pally:

Day one of Ally Pally and we arrived bright and early just as the doors opened for exhibitors. Track was cleaned and tested and all was good to go. Doors opened and before long, there was a line of people watching the layout. Loads of great conversations with passers by, some from people who recalled travelling in the Fairford branch. There were a few issues, but I think most issues were due to operator error in not setting points correctly or loosing themselves from the three train sequence. There were a few minor stalls, but hopefully they were forgivable! The Titfield Thunderbolt put in a show just to mix things up, which was met with loads of photos being taken of the small train making its way through Carterton station. Before long, the day was over and the exhibition and covers put back on ready for day two. If you’re visiting on Sunday, pop across and say hello, as we love to chat as well as operating the layout.

Well that’s the set up day at Ally Pally completed. Carterton is being exhibited this weekend at stand L2 at the London Festival of Railway Modelling under the rose window. It was decided to reduce expenses by taking it along with another club members layout which had been invited, so only one van was hired. We wanted to maximise the set up time, so the van arrived at 8, and was carefully loaded up. After loading the second layout at 9, we arrived at Alexandra Palace about 12 where we received our exhibitors wrist bands and unloaded. We found our layout slot and set about assembling the layout. Thankfully all worked fine with the exception of the connector to the fiddle yard point, where a couple of wires had worked loose. Looks like the soldering iron might be brought into action tomorrow to fix that permanent niggle!! Onto testing and all complete. Track cleaning was left for tomorrow so that any work wasn’t undone. However one of the panniers ran up and down without any issue. We also had a chance for a quick run with another members 14xx and some GWR Rapido wagons, which fitted into the landscape beautifully! They are exquisite wagons and ran perfectly! I also couldn’t resist running the short Titfield train just to see how it looked! If you hear me shouting ‘Can’t go yet, Squires not here!’ I apologise in advance. Model railway are a serious hobby after all. No, who am I kidding! The Titfield Thunderbolt will be exercised at some point over the weekend! A brisk wander round, and I was tickled by this sight: Obviously something ‘N-gauging’ on the Bachmann stand. Sorry, I couldn’t resist the joke! The team then headed for the hotel and settled in before a delightful curry in a nearby wetherspoons. Now looking forward to a weekend of running model trains. What’s not to like! And another Rapido wagon shot. Lovely!

With Ally Pally coming up on the calendar very soon, it’s time to exercise the loco stock and give them a run, clean, oil and general service.

Well Tetbury is heading towards some significant work. Some of the wiring underneath leaves a bit to be desired. So the plan is to split it into its three boards, turn it onto its side, and to tidy it up. By doing so, it might open up the layout to travel. At the moment, there’s too much vulnerable wiring for the layout to go anywhere! Despite this, it still runs really well and provides a lot of enjoyment for operating sessions, especially with the electromagnetic uncouplers fitted. My recent acquisition is intended to raise a smile during exhibitions. “I told you bishop, it’s Left for Titfield, not Tetbury!”