Norfolk & Suffolk Narrow Gauge Modellers - Sat 3rd June, 7th Open Day Exhibition

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http://nsngm.org.uk/

 

Norfolk & Suffolk NGM 7th open day.

 

Saturday 3rd June 2023

10.00am - 4.00pm

Blyburgate Hall (former St John Ambulance Hall)
Blyburgate
Beccles
Suffolk
NR34 9TF.

 

There is no parking at the hall other than disabled, please use nearby local public car park (behind the library and near to the Roys Store) signposted just up from the hall on opposite side of road.

Admission.
Adults £4.00  (Cash Only)
Accompanied under 16's Free.
Light refreshments available.  
 
There will be a selection of narrow gauge model railways in various scales on show.
 
There will be four rooms being used but I'm afraid the third & forth smaller rooms are not accessible to wheelchair users.

 

The 009 Sales Stand is NOT attending this year.
 
 
Layouts: 
 
Fen End Pit - 16mm - David B

North Level Railway - O.16.5 - Alan C

New Walmington Pier - 009 - Dave C

Raven Hill - O9 - Graham & Caroline W

Much Meddling - 009 - Chris O'D

Plugstreet - 009 - Laurence H

Reedsbeck Water Works - 009 - Chris S

Ruritania Eisenbahn - O.16.5 - Barry W

Whimsey - 5.5mm - Ian J

 

Upper Room featuring the group micro layout challenge competition :

 

Southgate Sidings - O.16.5 - Geoff B

Pointless Shunting - 009 - David C

Wainford Sidings - 16mm SM32 - Malcolm C

The Martlesham Malteser Mine - 16mm SM32 - Alan F

Noels Walk - 1:16 - Bill K

Lysander Farm - 009 - Ray T

Loose End - 009 - Jim B

Trade:
 
Great Eastern Models (Bachmanns Retailer of the Year!)

 
Societies:

Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society
Bure Valley Railway 

Southwold Railway Trust

 

 

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Here are the programme details of whats on show.

 

1: Fen End Pit - David Barham
16mm/ft scale 32mm track gauge
Fen End Pit. Between Ely and March, amongst the rich peat soil of the Fens, deposits of
sand and gravel have been quarried for many years. In a shallow pit a Ruston 10RB
dragline loads skips to be hauled away by aging Simplex locomotives.
The gift of an original manual with scales drawings for a 10RB led to the construction of the
dragline and inspired this 16mm scale layout, a tribute to an age before lorries and
conveyor belts replaced rails.

2: Ruritania Eisenbahn - Barry Weston
0.16.5 (7mm/ft Scale)
What to do with a Starter Set after you’re bored with Standard Gauge!
Based on the track from a Starter Set with a few additional pieces, and stock produced
from plastic toys, our late member James Corsi produced a layout to show how simple it is
to produce an entry level 7mm Narrow Gauge layout and dip a toe into the world of Narrow
Gauge modelling.
Locos and stock are either modified RTR, modified kits, scratch built, or bashed from
cheap plastic toys. James had an interest in Continental Narrow Gauge, and Ruritania
Eisenbahn was his final layout.

3: New Walmington Pier - Dave Carson
009 (4mm/ft, 9mm Gauge)
Set in Edwardian times the layout depicts a small pier tramway with a working carousel at
the Pier Head. A Southend Pier 1890 "Toastrack" Car provides the service.

4: Plugstreet - Laurence Hendry
009 (4mm/ft, 9mm Gauge)
Plugstreet is a casualty clearing station set during the Great War on the War Department
Light Railway. Wounded soldiers who are needing more treatment that can be given at
the dressing stations will be transported here for emergency treatment before being
transported further back to hospitals in France or the UK. We are about 3 miles behind the
front line so should be safe from shelling

5: Southwold Railway Trust
The Southwold Railway was a 3ft gauge line running between Halesworth and Southwold
in Suffolk, England, a distance of almost 9 miles. It opened in 1879 and closed in 1929.
The line is usually remembered for its long-chimneyed steam engines, long six-wheeled
coaches and steady work over 50 years - which helped Southwold to grow into the town it
is today. Little now remains of the line, except for the trackbed, one van body, some S&T
and PW equipment, one building, and some of the bridges.
The Southwold Railway Society was formed in 1994, and became a Charitable Trust in
2006, to promote awareness of the heritage of the old Southwold Railway and preserve
any remaining artifacts of the railway.
The Southwold Railway Trust now has its primary base at Blyth Road, Southwold. Here we
already have a two-road engine shed, containing three 3-foot gauge locos, including our
new replica Southwold loco ‘Blyth”. We have completed a 7.25" miniature railway and our
visitor centre, shop and café is up and running. There will be more details on our website
regarding our 2023 opening dates and times:
www.southwoldrailway.co.uk

6: Bure Valley Railway
The Bure Valley Railway is Norfolk’s longest fifteen-inch gauge steam railway and operates
steam and diesel trains between the old market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, the
“Capital of the Norfolk Broads”.
The railway main operating period is from Easter - October, with some weekend running
and week running either side of this. There are also Santa Specials on selected days in
November and December. If you would like to drive a train yourself, them we offer 'Driver
Experience Courses' in selected parts of the year
For more information visit: www.bvrw.co.uk

7: Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Charitable,
Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
The Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society, dedicated to the restoration
of the narrow gauge railway which ran from Halesworth to Southwold, from a station which
adjoined the present main line station. We are dedicated to promoting this little railway from
the Halesworth perspective.
‘Putting Halesworth First’ as it should be, of course, considering that the railway to
Southwold started from Halesworth but also featuring other parts of the line and other
matters of narrow gauge and general railway interest.
The railway recently became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and has achieved
many milestones during it’s five years of existence. The CIO most notable achievement
has been in rescuing and restoring the last remaining Southwold Railway building which
was the former coal/goods shed at Blythburgh. Extensive work on this site is continuing
with the next stage moving forward into restoring the Blythburgh Station to operation.
We run workdays twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays at our workshop and along the
former line at Halesworth and Blythburgh. We also have two open days during 2023 at our
Blythburgh site on the 21st June for Suffolk Day and 10th September with a model railway
exhibition.
If you are interested in joining our Society or would like to find out more about it please
contact us by email halesworthtosouthwoldrailwaysociety@gmail.com or visit the
groups website www.halesworthtosouthwoldrailway.co.uk

 

 

8: Much Meddling - Chris O'Donoghue
009 (4mm/ft scale, 9mm Gauge)
This whimsical, fictitious layout is inspired by the work of Rowland Emett, an inventor and
artist. On a board, 80cm x 35cm, there is an oval of track with a passing loop. All stock is
scratch built and includes several wacky railbuses. In the middle of a boating lake is The
Crooked House, inspired by the House in the Clouds at Thorpeness

9: Reed Beck Waterworks - Chris Seago
009 (4mm/ft scale, 9mm Gauge)
The layout depicts a Victorian waterworks, built at a time when there was great pride in
such municipal utilities, which is reflected in the smart buildings and well maintained
grounds.
The narrow gauge railway delivers materials for the steam pumping engine, water filters,
water treatment works and workshops.
The beam engines can be seen working in the pumping engine house with coal fires in the
boiler house beside it.
Buildings are made from card and the rolling stock is mostly built from kits

 

10: Raven Hill - Graham & Caroline Watling
O9 gauge (15” gauge 7mm scale)
An O9 scale scenic model of a 15” gauge railway modelled in 7mm scale and inspired by
the North Yorkshire Moors scenery. Trains run along the hillside into “Raven Hill” village
station, a through station on the fictitious Penny Howe Light Railway which is portrayed in
the 1960’s when a land owner has re-laid the line running on an old tramway track
bed. Holiday makers and day-trippers are catered-for, while the railway also carries light
goods and food supplies to the farms and villages. Locomotives are resin kits or 3D prints
running mainly on Kato (11-109) 4W tram chassis. Wagons are also resin kits, and
Coaches are either scratch built or converted/modified commercial bodies running on Peco
009 Bogies.

11: North Level Railway - Alan Church
0.16.5 (7mm/ft Scale)
The Layout is a small narrow gauge railway station and depot set in the late 40’s early 50’s
Somewhere in the North Cambridgeshire fens.
The yard has a small fruit and vegetable Distribution depot for local farmers to send their
produce to markets near and far. Supplies for the engine shed and coal yard are also
required. A frequent passenger service is also run for the locals as it seems to be market
day every day!
The buildings are mostly scratch built with some scratch aid kits. Rolling stock are again
mostly kits but some are scratch built or modified ready to run. This Layout was built by Mr
LEN PARSONS is now in my custody with some added detail by me.

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Side Room

 

12: Whimsey - Ian Jopson
Scale is 5.5mm = 1 foot, on 9mm track
Whimsey is a lockdown project using bits and pieces that I had around at the time.
Using Peco 9mm 'crazy track' in an oval with buildings at 5.5mm scale and using
accessories from both 4mm and 7mm scale it is purely a fun layout.
You can find a bigfoot, a big bad wolf, Alice and the White Rabbit, and others as the
mood takes.
Purists should avoid stopping at this little layout as it could be bad for their blood
pressure.

13: Trade Stand - Great Eastern Models
Friendly family-run store based on Plumstead Road Norwich. Whether you are looking for
steam, diesel, days-gone-by or modern-image, there is something for everyone.
Specialising in OO and N gauge modelling, Great Eastern Models offers a comprehensive
range of ready to run locomotives, rolling stock, scale building, scenic products and
accessories. Large stocks of both new and second hand railways for sale and model
railway collections always wanted for part exchange or cash.
Pre-orders can be taken for any models due to be released. The shop also has a dedicated
seating and model planning area with tea and coffee provided and a range of
demonstrations and kit building events throughout the year.
A 10% discount is offered to various club and organisation members on the showing of a
valid membership card
Please see the website for further details:
www.greateasternmodels.co.uk
or call: 01603 431 457
.

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Upper Room: Reached by a short flight of steps from the corner of the side
room
Please take care on the stairs

N&SNGM 2023 Challenge

This years group challenge is to build an operational narrow gauge micro layout with a
maximum scenic area of four square feet (576 square inches). Fiddle yards can be added
to facilitate operation as required.
Please use your voting slip to vote for your favourite challenge layout during your
visit. Votes can be placed in the voting box or given to the door steward when
leaving.
Votes will be counted at the end of the day and a trophy awarded to the winner.
The 2023 Narrow Gauge Railway Challenge:
Please don’t forget to vote
Entry Details

A - Southgate Sidings - O.16.5
This is a simple shunting layout in O.16.5 scale.

Southgate Sidings is set in the summer of 1935.
“Southgate Sidings” serve a small industrial estate
built after the Great War in an abandoned quarry at
Southgate. The estate was established to provide
employment in modern industries and was cheaply
erected using government surplus Nissen Huts and
corrugated iron sheds. The layout shows the
industrial buildings and the tracks serving them. The
hidden fiddle yard substitutes for a loop siding and
the main line of the Kingswood and Eaton Light
Railway. The operator has to receive, shunt and
dispatch a train. Wagons are dropped and picked
up from appropriate points in the sidings.

 

B - Noels Work - 1:16 scale

This large scale shunting puzzle layout is built in an
extremely small space, 2.25 square feet.
The locomotives are battery operated and run on
adapted Triang series 4 track, a scale 10.25" gauge.
The bodies of the locomotives, rolling stock and
buildings are all home made from cardboard and
strips of wood. The ballast is crushed Perlite, the
earth is the contents of used teabags and the
vegetation is made from string and pieces from a
liner for hanging baskets.

 

C - Pointless Shunting - 009

Pointless Shunting' is a freelance layout based on a
shunting puzzle/game using 2 turntables rather than
points (hence its title). At one end, a train is built up
wagon by wagon using a dice to decide which
wagons are collected in which order. Once the train
is complete, it is pulled down to the other end. The
wagons are then split one by one into the 2 sidings
depending on their type.
Once all the wagons have returned to their sidings,
the game starts again at the first end.

 

D - Lysander Farm - 009

Lysander Farm was built as a first 009 layout
"Tester" to run the current excellent RTR or kit built
NG stock and was constructed from September
2022 to May 2023. This NG railway moves fruit,
hops, arable & dairy products to a connecting
Southern Railway branch line on the Kent & East
Sussex border. At weekends a preservation group
runs restored passenger trains for visitors. At home
the layout is stored on a narrow shelf under the
stairs and is operated on the dining room table.

 

E - The Martlesham Malteser Mine - SM32

Around 1943 at the Martlesham aerodrome just
outside of Ipswich, some off watch pilots and
aircrew found a rich seam of honeycomb on some
nearby waste ground. They returned to the area in
the late sixties having now retired and were able to
start mining the Honeycomb and selling it for the
production of a new sweet called a Malteaser.
To cover up the now secret mine the Goverment
built a Telephone Research Centre. Whilst most
people thought that the hundreds of researchers
and scientists working each day at the new centre
were developing new communication systems they
were really just a big elaborate plan to hide the
mine. The resulting balls of Honeycomb were loaded
onto small barges and under the cover of darkness
towed out of Martlesham creek, down the River
Deben and out to sea to waiting Coasters.
Now you know the secret of the Malteasers.

 

 

F. Wainford Sidings - SM32

The WAGLR (known locally as “The Waggler”), was
a little narrow-gauge railway that “might have”
meandered its way along the Waveney Valley
between Ditchingham and Barsham between 1920
and its eventual demise in the 1960s. “Wainford
Sidings” is the rather grand title for what was little
more than a short spur that enabled the principal
driver - Ernest Warnes - to park a locomotive at the
bottom of his garden just off the Low Road at
Wainford. The WAGLR started as the ale-inspired
brainwave of two friends who returned from the First
World War to find they had, each inherited an ailing
local business (respectively, a small aggregates
quarry and a haulage company). The line actually
saw very little action after its early years and was
run on a shoestring – relying on a fractious
collaboration between several local landowners -
each of whom had a spur or halt that served their
various enterprises (mostly farming and market
gardening). Spot the butterfly and count the crows!
This model is part of a (very) slowly growing layout
that will eventually appear in the maker’s own
garden at Wainford. The WAGLR backstory is
displayed adjacent to the model.
I am intrigued by obscure narrow gauge railways -
but consider myself more of a scenic modeller than
a railway expert.

 

G - Loose Ends - 009

'Loose End ' is a fictional village scene, with a mill at
one end and a small complex of houses and shops
spread over the rest of the site. The railway runs
through it, with a station and siding.

 

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Outer Room reached across the car park from the main hall entrance.
Please take care on the step up into the room

Refreshments - Tea, Coffee, soft drinks and a selection of rolls
and homemade cakes:
Served by Barsham and Shipmeadow Village Hall

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Just a reminder our event is tomorrow.