REC Farnborough Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Dear all Having recently volunteered myself as the Club's 'Publicity Officer', it's about time I earned my keep and introduce you to the Club, it's layouts and other activities. The club was formed in 1953, so we are one of the older railway clubs in the country. That said, the initial premise for forming the club was to enable members to follow their interest in 12"- ft scale! The modelling aspect followed later. Currently the Club has layouts in 'N' gauge, 'OO' (proprietary and 'finescale'), 'EM' and 'O' gauge finescale. In addition members have their own layouts (sometimes exhibited on behalf of the club) in other areas of interest such as '009'. The club holds a 'general' meeting every Tuesday night in it's own premises off Hawley Lane in Farnborough where (thanks to the licenced bar!) meetings are held in a generally convivial atmosphere culminating in a picture-based 'quiz' and weekly raffle. Modelling takes place dependent on the availablility of the various group members either during the Tuesday evening or on other days/evenings as required. In common with most clubs we do not have space for all the layouts to be worked-on simultaneously so there is a 'layout rota' which can be found on the clubs main web-site at http://www.rec-farnborough.org.uk/home.html. However, most club members come in any case to the regular Tuesday evening 'meet'. Where (due to the vagaries of the 'Julian Calendar') a month has FIVE Tuesdays in it, the fifth Tuesday is normally designated as a 'special interest' night with guest speakers or possibly a social event such as a club barbeque etc. The Club is a 'broad Church' and welcomes modellers of all interests and abilities. Membership is normally granted to those aged sixteen years or over - however we do encourage younger modellers to tear their parents away from their computers and come to the Club! So, if you live in the general area, drop by - you can be sure of a friendly welcome! Anyone interested in further details can either 'PM' me, or email 'info@rec-farnborough.org.uk' Next post will start to feature the layouts! Regards Ian Barefoot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 REC Layouts (1) - Umbridge' - 'N' Gauge As promised above, some images of the Club's 'N' gauge layout. As can be seen, the layout is a large 'continuous run' with fiddleyard at the rear. The main station is a through station with 'fast' & 'slow' lines with a 'branchline' feeder. The scenic work featuring a harbour at one end and a high-level townscape at the other is fairly complete and done to a high standard of modelling. The layout has been to several exhibitions already and the operating crew are always happy to attend more! A general overview of the layout The Ferry Terminal - with the associated oil terminal a piece of very fine modelling - even if we do say so ourselves! It comes to us all in the end!!! Two of the several stalwarts of the 'N' Gauge group - Richard (L) (who is also the current Club Chairman) and Colin - 'the harbourmaster'. If you live in the Camberley/Farnborough/Aldershot area, and model in 'N' Guge - please come along - you'll be made most welcome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 The feature layout this week is 'Burleigh' - one of three 4mm/16.5mm layouts run by the club. 'Burleigh' is of venerable age (!) so is currently being re-constructed. The layout features a station on a secondary mainline and runs in the 'continuous loop with rear fiddleyard' configuration - As can be seen, with the station and signalbox area - 'Burleigh' really is a 'work in progress - so if you fancy lending a hand, or learning new skills, please come along any Tuesday evening. As you can see from the attached video, trains are still running - admittedly 'under caution'! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 Oops - couldn't upload the video! Apologies... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 Okay - found the secret... The video is here:- regs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 Modellers in the Aldershot/Farnborough would be warmly welcomed at 'The Wellington Centre', Aldershot on 16/17 June where, courtesy of the Centre management 'Umbridge' (see above will be in operation & the 7mm group will have two boards from 'Netherley' - a layout currently under construction - on display. Regs REC-Farnborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 'The Wellington Centre', Aldershot on 16/17 June Have you got a postcode for the wellington centre? I may be in the area that weekend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 The Club is not solely about modelling! In fact when first founded 59 years ago there was NO modelling, the Club focussed purely on 'the real thing' with regular railtrips etc (in fact some of the club photos appear in various books on the subject). So it comes as no surprise that we organise 'guest speakers' on occasion. A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate to host Geoff Burch who, in his own words 'started to work for the railway because he saw an advert'. However he was already involved in the 'railway scene' - the Guildford main line passed outside the classroom window resulting in many 'spots' - much to the annoyance of his teachers! Geoff joined Guildford shed as a cleaner & graduated to fireman before the end of steam. Unlike many of his colleauges, Geoff stayed with BR until de-nationalisation, finishing up as head of the driver training schoool. Whilst at the Club, Geoff autographed copies of his autobiography 'The Ramblings of a Railwayman'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Model railways always attract the child in us – whether we are six or sixty! As mentioned in a post above, the Railway Enthusiasts Club (REC) helped the Wellington Centre to celebrate 'Fathers Day' by providing one of the club layouts for display in the Upper Mall. Many children get their first train set not as 'their' present but to fulfil a long-cherished dream of their father (or mother)! However, no matter what the audience's age, the delight shown is the same. The REC always extends a warm welcome to children (of all ages) at their premises in Hawley Lane, and would like to thank the management & staff of the Wellington Centre for giving us the opportunity to entertain children (and their parents)! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 Been a bit quiet lately, although work has progressed on all the club layouts. ALTON 'Alton' is one of the older club layouts and has not previously featured in this series as it has been undergoing a major refurbishment by by small but very dedicated team*. However, last month club members were treated to the sight of the layout in full operation on the Tuesday club night. Set in the mid-1960's it is a faithful representation of the station in all its former glory - although it is of course now better-known as the northern terminus of the 'Mid-Hants' (or 'Watercress') line. On this layout you will see 'spam cans' running at scale (express) speeds with 4CORs and 2BILs frequenting the platforms - The once-extensive goods yard is also faithfully recreated - Whilst the length of the layout and Alton's prototypically elevated position allow plenty of lineside loco-spotting opportunities! *if you are interested in becoming a member of that team, you are welcome to come along to our clubrooms any Tuesday evening after 7.30 pm. Full details can be found at http://www.rec-farnb...rg.uk/home.html. Alternatively if you are an exhibition manager who would be interested in exhibiting the layout, please contact us via the same link. Finally a 'plug' for our 'Diamond Jubilee Exhibition', being held at Woking Liesure Centre on 14-15 Sep 2013. More details wil be on the exhibition calendar shortly, but current layouts booked include 'Mostyn' (S4)( http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/mostyn.html ) and 'Gresley Beat' ('16.5mm') both well-known to magazine readers - now come and see them 'in the flesh'! Kindest Regards REC-Farnborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Farnborough Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 Welcome to 'Netherley' - the REC's 7mm layout. Still 'under construction' it 's first public display will be at the REC's exhibition at Woking on 14-15 September. 'Netherley' is a through station on a GWR secondary main line - so plays host to a large variety of locomotive power. The 'Southern' have 'running rights' and it is the 'end of the line' for one of the Plymouth City Corporation Tram routes. The station also serves a local quarry which has it's own siding and (very) basic passenger facilities. Construction started just over two years ago - the baseboards are 9mm ply following fairly standard construction techniques. Trackwork is all hand-built using 'C&L' parts on cork underlay. The scenics also follow a fairly common path. Group discussions involving much scratching of heads back in the 'early days'. The majority of the group had cut it's teeth on 'The Test Track' which later evolved into an exhibition layout - 'Bramshott Junction' (now up for disposal if you have 32' x 16' and £2000 spare in your club!). At the same time the group also built 'Wimbury' a GWR BLT - the direct ancestor of 'Netherley' - so the group has a lot of experience in 7mm! The work-rate has doubled over the last few weeks (members health not withstanding!) and the layout is now approaching a publically viewable condition. with testing of the various stock elements going to Woking. Construction of the station building & canopy can be found in my personal blog here - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1363/entry-12241-netherley-station-building-the-saga-of-the-canopy-continues/ So we hope to see you at the show! Further details can be found in the calendar and our web site. The other major attractions will be 'Gresley Beat' and 'Mostyn', with US interests being supported by 'Bad Aston' - who's operators are also part of the 'Netherley' group! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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