Miker

A large 00 DCC MERG layout from SW Herts Model Railway Society-The idea with Silverbury was to create a modern image layout of the Great Central Railway if it had been made 4 tracks into London after the 1st world war, and if Beeching had not closed the line, but instead reduced it to two tracks. What would it have looked like? Silverbury is a combination of Silverstone and Aylesbury a “WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN” layout. The period modelled is BR Blue to the present day, and to achieve this we are producing interchangeable buildings and industries which can be dropped into place. Silverbury is placed at the edge of both Network South East (BR blue) and Chiltern Railways (Network Rail) so many trains would terminate at this point. It is also a mainline for long distance and Cross Country Passenger, and through freight trains. This is to create plenty of interest for both operators and viewers. It has been built in a modular construction which has allowed a more flexible and versatile approach with each base board being 4’ x 2’6” – (1.22m x .76m) and there are two half length boards. The layout can be put together in FOUR basic formats. 1. Hidden Yard to Hidden Yard with a station in the middle (36’ x 8’ – 11.5m x 2.5m). 2. Hidden Yard to End Station, (28’ x 8’ – 8.6m x 2.5m) 3. Similar to 2 but in the form of a ‘U’. (28’ x 12’ – 8.6m x 3.7m) 4. A full round and round layout. (35’ x 12’ – 10.7m x 3.7m) The hidden yards are two symmetrically opposite ends. The additional boards can be added to give a full round and round layout 9′ x 29′ which gives a nominal footprint of 35′ x 12′ (10.7m x 3.7m) as mentioned above. We have found in practice that the additional time taken in every detail of construction when building the layout over many years has ensured that it runs reliably. Even after many months in storage it has always worked near perfectly every time. The track work and electronics are standing up well to the less than perfect environment of our Clubroom. We have decided to use truncated pyramidal box legs (towers) for this layout that are independent and NOT LAYOUT SPECIFIC, this is so they can be re-used for other layouts for many years to come. They also stack one on top of the other for ease of storage and transportation. Because the base boards sit on top of towers, it means the locating dowels and bolts only have to align and hold the boards together. For transportation, storage and maintenance we fit end boards and 40mm x 20mm timber stretchers across the top which creates a box to protect them and because we’re using tower legs, it also means they can be used to support the boards when they are turned UPSIDE DOWN, without fear of damage to the scenery when we need to work on the under side and gives us easy access for upgrading and maintenance. Erection and dismantling of the layout is easy achieved by the small team even when dealing with the full round and round version (17 baseboards). We use MERG’s Cbus system to control and sense the points and we’re able to set routes i.e. into and out of the 11 road fiddle yards with one push button switch. The layout can also be changed from a standard DC control to DCC at the flick of a switch. We’re also using MERG’s DCC equipment and JMRI to operate the locomotives, several of which have sound units.

Location Waldviertel in Lower Austria – Through Junction station, located on a subsidiary line running from Zwettl to Horn, the standard gauge branch heading to Huf. The narrow-gauge heading South to Krumau am Kamp. Whilst the main running line is electrified both the narrow gauge and the branch are not-relying on diesel and some steam traction. The narrow-gauge merges in the station area using Tillig dual gauge trackwork. The era modelled is from the late 1970’s onwards- This allows a flexibility in the range of rolling stock, so that some interesting items may appear from time to time. The layout is 20’x2″ it is self-supporting on trestles. The track used is Peco code 75 electro-frog points etc, the catenary is by Sommerfeldt. The layout was conceived and built during the lockdown , I already had my modern image H0 layout "Klapping" , but I always had a hankering to model a little further back in time and as I had a fair bit of rolling stock that suited the era it seemed a good idea. The basic issue being that the layout had to be able to fit into my transport ( a Skoda Yeti) with all the stock legs and another operator. It also entailed the merging of different track types That being Peco code 75 and Tillig dual gauge items. I opted for Peco long 009 points rather than the Tillig ones eventually as these seemed a fair bit more reliable under test conditions. The base-boards were constructed of standard 2"x1" frames, Ply tops and base-board dowels. I used the Woodland scenics underlay for the track which was painted using acrylic paints. The station Buildings , came from the Bachmann range , (precast) the Goods shed was constructed from 2 Kibri kits joined together,The platform was constructed from the Faller platform edging with platicard (concrete sets) as a top. The catenary is Sommerfeldt , with some tweaks.

Just a quick reminder for Watford Model Railway Exhibition on 15th April 2023-Twenty Three excellent model railway layouts have been invited in a variety of scales and gauges ranging from N gauge to O gauge, with narrow gauge also represented- venue covers three halls all on one level.The club has a large second hand stall due to various bequests.Trade support will be provided to help you find those essential items for your own collection. Refreshments will be available.ADMISSION: Adults £8.00 Children £4.00 Family £16.00 (cash/card on the door) Accompanied children under 15 free maximum of 2 children/adult. https://www.southwesthertsmrs.org.uk/ https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/event/y2023/24921-SouthWestHertsModelRailwaySociety_Exhibition

Queens School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Watford, Hertfordshire WD23 2TY Sat 15th April 2023 OPENING TIMES: 10am - 4.30pm ADMISSION: Adults £8.00 Concessions £8.00 Children £4.00 Family £16.00 Welcome to the Watford Model Railway Exhibition. A host of excellent model railway layouts have been invited in a variety of scales and gauges ranging from N gauge to O gauge, with narrow gauge also represented. Trade support will be provided to help you find those essential items for your own collection. Refreshments will be available. Please note that the venue now levies a small charge for parking. This date has been selected as the previous date is now the Coronation!! The Covid 19 situation changes from time to time and we will seek to comply with any National Regulations and practices together with those applicable to the venue at the time of the event. We will also implement some local changes to our exhibition protocols and will take every practicable step to protect exhibitors, traders, club members and the public. List of Traders Attending : Keiths Model Railways - Used and Collectable Items Andy Dayton (Wrenn Collectors) Abc Model Railways - Used Items Incl Continental P&G Engineering Supplies Invicta Model Rail - New Items from All Major Suppliers W M Collectables - Used and Collectables Ron Atkins - Hornby Dublo & Diecast LIST OF LAYOUTS (confirmed) All Cars Stop Here - Hong Kong Tramways Cynon Valley - N - GWR South Wales 1940s Dentdale - N - 1950s on the Settle & Carlisle Staple & Ash - OO - East Kent Railway Wandleford Junction - OO - BR (S) 1970s London Suburbs Schwungischerplatz - HO - - Plant City - HO - Florida, USA in 2008-15 Withermarsh - OO9 - Narrow Gauge on the Sussex Coast Coleford - OO9 - Narrow Gauge Set in Winter in the Forest of Dean Daconby Town - 3mm - BR (E) 1960s Lincolnshire Thomas Town - OO - Chance to Drive Our Friends from Sodor! Warmsley - N - BR (S) in the 1950/60s Gravesdown South - OO - BR (W) in the 1970/80s Questa - On30 - New Mexico, Usa, 1952 Southwark Bridge N BR (S) London Terminal 1960/1970 Bossington 00 GWR 1930's branch Oldstead Gate 00 BR 1950's We are expecting more to confirm shortly.. List of other displays - South West Herts Model Railway Society - Club Display Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society Friends of the National Railway Museum

Transport Treasures in Aston Clinton at 2 London road HP22 5HQ 01296-655720 Owned by Bill Lawrence is currently selling off its stock - Bill has decided to retire on health grounds and as such the shop has been opening only on Saturday 10.00-15.00 on Saturdays only . Currently they have increased the opening hours to Fridays in the run up to Xmas. The shop is going to be open on the Bank Holiday days over Xmas and on New Years day. After that it will probably be back to Saturdays only depending on demand. The shop is small but has a large amount of stock from N to 0 gauge in stock that they will need to shift. ( I understand that Locos and rolling stock is being sold at around 20% off )-I understand the intention is that the shop will certainly close before the start of the next financial year if not sooner. When I was in there recently I was shown some very interesting items both British and Continental . Needless to say I ended up purchasing more than I had intended!!. The family keep finding more items with in the various storerooms, so the stock is ever changing. I know that they have a batch of 9Fs with zinc pest which are being sold as spares or repairs items at a greatly knocked down price. they are NOT doing mail order. Purchases over £25 are card only . Its sad to see a stalwart of the local clubs and modellers closing however it does mean that there are a lot of bargains to be had .

Now this is going to sound totally mad I have one of the older Liliput class 2095's... Runs a treat However it runs the wrong way … Yup I know obvious answer swap wires over except on these earlier versions there is no way to do the simple thing - has anyone else come across the issue and what did they do other than live with the problem?

Yes I was too... I was exhibiting my OBB layout Klapping - I was not due to attend this year but Rob Bishop the Exhibition Manager lost a Swiss layout at the last minute and asked me to step in at short notice- which meant I had to run with a scratch crew of operators. We were told to not turn up on the Friday till 14.00- when we turned up we were really amazed almost everyone had gone home having set up already .. That being said we were set up in around an hour- the Catenary takes me a while to knit together over the board joints.. If you get the opportunity to show a layout here, I would strongly recommend it the organisation in general is second to none - they provide a Full English breakfast in the morning , they provide a choice of 2/3 cooked meals including a pudding for lunch and there is a never ending supply of tea/coffee available too, The only fly in the ointment is that we were in the Travelodge in Lowestoft which is around 35/40 minutes away.. So it means doing this commute Friday/Sat/Sun - bear that in mind when you are doing your expenses claim.. There were some stand out layouts for me - I have seen Worlds End before , but felt they had run better previously they were having a few issues at one stage. San ford and Barnwell has some fabulous track-work , but I felt the scenery was just too clean. I like Luton's "Central Works" and "Lambourn" is a great representative of the 2mm Finescale. Chelmsford clubs "That Dam Railway" was there too. I was surprised that the 009 layout Avyn-a-Llyin was voted as best in show as I felt that Brighton East and Caradon might have been in the running ..I liked the concept of Hall Quay with the dockside Tramway using 0.01" phosphor bronze wire for the tram's overhead pick up... This is a really good event , a lot of my friends make a weekend of coming up to visit this event. Next year it looks like I have been roped into operating an OBB steam layout " Klaus"belonging to an ARG ( Austrian Railway Group) member who is moving from Billericay up to Saxmunden ... I can't wait to return !

High I exhibited the OBB layout Klapping , I am tagged in the programme as a member. I was a member of the club for around 23 years and can remember a time when we nearly folded due to the natural die off of older members and people moving away. I have seen the club numbers drop to nearly nothing over the years. I left around 6 years ago to exhibit my 3 Exhibition quality layouts ( Michaelerplatz - was best in show at Thornbury a few years ago - it was also best in show at Southwold last year) Ruhestand Weg a dual gauge OBB branch line and Klapping an electrified truncated branch with a diesel feeder) - I re-joined the club 2 months ago and I found an invigorated club with multiple new projects and existing popular layouts . You are right to say the show was not a Fine-scale emporium - but I have exhibited all over the country and have attended the Fine-scale and the ordinary Exhibitions. At a lot of the Fine-scale events you see layouts where the quality of the layouts is stunning ...but not a lot happens - the people who attend themselves are quality modellers but with very few family groups... The organisers of the local events have a far smaller budget to play with, any surplus we make goes straight into covering things like rental/upkeep of the club hut (ours is an old army hut built just after WW2) , electrics /heating and anything left goes towards the development of layouts and skills of the members.. Remember the crux of the issue is the membership of the clubs is the life blood of the hobby and currently we have very few younger members most are 50 plus... We have to appeal to the general public... and what the want to see is trains running , the children these days are more invigorated by on-line stuff and currently as a hobby we are losing touch with this generation; which in itself is a major issue.( I will not bang on about that). So our exhibition team had to book (a) Layouts which represented a wide spectrum of modelling (b) Traders who could support the general modelling © Layouts that we could afford - we would love to bring some of the really top quality layouts along - but a lot will NOT do one day shows (d) Layouts that could go up/come down within a couple of hours - we have access to the school on Friday evening from 17.30- but we have to clear chairs/move tables/ set up electrics/check plus sockets/do the Health &Safety checks and ensure there is soap/loo rolls and the disabled toilets are accessible ( on this occasion the latter was an issue due to a ball cock failure- so we had to make alternative arrangements). We had road signage to go up (and take down after the event) , car parking too. We had to be out of the venue by 19.00 the show shut at 16.30.... As I said I exhibit all over the country myself and have been to events where the quality of the events has been let down by a multitude of things - I felt we did a good job, the public got value for money and overall both they and us had a great time - we are looking forward to next years show in May and we also do an event in October at a different venue where we have our latest projects on view, together with some of the club members layouts.

Need some assistance .. Has anyone one who has , or has owner a 7mm 85a models Hunslet any idea whose wheels were used on the model? As I said before the coupling rods refuse to stay on the loco- The reason being that the plastic inserts that we fitted into the wheels have disintegrated and 2 are missing. I believe that Judith Edge kits do/did a Hunslet similar to this loco but if I can find out whose wheels were used on the original model then maybe I could get a replacement set of parts/new wheel sets... Other than that its new wheels ... Slaters I assume and make some new coupling rods... Life can a total B.... Other than that I have just finished replacing some fairly poor buffers with some decent sprung buffers on my 30 odd bits of 7mm rolling stock, I also have a 60 foot Stanier corridor composite in need of TLC - it came from a Probate sale - Anyone have any bright ideas of a source for Hand rail knobs and underframe detailing ?