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andyram

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Blog Entries posted by andyram

  1. andyram

    Setting the scene

    By andyram,

    I had expected that the return to work would bring the progress on Skaleby West to a grinding halt. Not so! This week has seen more work, and the layout is now really beginning to take shape.
     
    Of course, my first job of the week has been to tackle the jammed points. Using a combination of cocktail sticks and a small screwdriver, I worked through the inside of each point, removing all stray ballast which I thought may have caused them to jam. This did at least start to loosen them a little and all four points did begin to move once again. I still have an issue with one of the points not changing fully, and none of them run smoothly so it looks like I will have more work to do here.
     
    Next I started work on some of the scenic items. The station building was put in place to check its location. Polystyrene was then cut to size and glued behind the platforms to build the baseboard level up to platform height, allowing the building to sit in place. Further polystyrene blocks were then glued in place around the sides of the fiddle yard entrance on the left side of the layout. These will form the sides of the tunnel which provides the scenic break. One of the blocks has a recess on the inside which is perfect for hiding the wires from the set track power clip. This method is being used to power the layout at present and, due to its hidden location, will be kept in place as a spare power source once the wires for my main controller are soldered in place.
     
    Once the glue had dried the tunnel sides were painted in black poster paint. The tunnel entrance was then super-glued in place and a cardboard was then glued across the top of the tunnel. This will provide the base for the farm track which will run across the top of the front of the tunnel. Further polystyrene blocks were then stuck down at the rear of the layout and screwed up newspaper added to create the cutting side which runs from the tunnel mouth down to the platform. A small strip of cardboard was then shaped and glued on top to provide a base for a footpath.

     
    The show
     
    Not much to report in the last week. A couple of traders have reported that their supply of leaflets is starting to run out. That is encouraging. I had better get some more done.
  2. andyram

    Severn Valley Railway

    By andyram,

    I thought some of you may be interested in some of the pictures taken during my visit to the SVR today. 4 engines in steam with on loan Pannier Tank 3650 in service alongside the 2-8-0 number 2857 and Ivatt 4 number 43106. The fourth engine was the Bulleid "Sir Keith Park" which made a light engine run from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. It is seen here at Highley.


     
    According to the railway's website it will run on the rear of the first Bridgnorth departure tomorrow top and tailing with 2857.
     

    2857 is seen here arriving at Highley.
     
    The remaining shots show 3650 and 43106 passing the Engine House.

  3. andyram
    This week has been another busy week as my return to work saw the date of our show confirmed and a start made on booking layouts and exhibits for the event.
     
    The show
    The date has been confirmed as Saturday 10th November. A big thank you to those people who have got back to me already. So far I have confirmed 5 layouts for the show and reckon I have at least another 5 or 6 layouts as possibles as well as a couple of trade stands confirmed and a couple of other exhibits. Things are beginning to take shape and it is nice to see the show plan beginning to fill up. I have even gained permission to use a couple of other rooms in the school so I do have some more space available to me.
     
    The layout
    As mentioned previously, I have committed to building a layout for the show. This may be a big ask and things have moved rather slowly this week. "Skaleby West" will be a small 4 ft x 1 ft layout featuring a small single platform station, passing / run-round loop and a small goods facility.
    I showed a picture of the track plan in my last entry. I have now tested this, briefly, and things worked ok. Today I have laid the cork base for the track work. My home layout, Skaleby, uses the gaugemaster ballested foam underlay - but Skaleby West will be hand ballested. This will be my first attempt at this. I also plan to install point motors on this new layout, something which Skaleby also does not have.
    The next task will be to install the extension pieces under the baseboard in order to lift the baseboards to allow the point motors to be installed underneath. The back board will then be fitted before I turn my attention to permenant track laying and the installation of point motors.
    One small bit of luck is the offer from my father to take on the woodwork. As someone who is a bit of a DIY "duffer" this will be most helpful.
  4. andyram

    Sileby 2013

    By andyram,

    After a particularly long and frustrating INSET day I have broken up for the much needed half term holiday and what better way to celebrate than by visiting a model railway event.
    This is the third successive year I have visited the Sileby event and I have always enjoyed it - this year was no exception. For a relatively small location, the Syston Model Railway society always manage to pack in lots to see, and there is always some excellent layouts on show. This year the stand out layout was the N gauge model of "Melton Mowbray (North). I have seen this featured in a prevous issue of the Hornby magazine, but had never seen it "in the flash". What an excellent model, packed full of detail which accurately represents the location. A big well done to those involved.
    Once again there were some old favourites on show. For the second show in succession I was able to view Mike Kelly's "Everbury". This was at the Stafford event two weeks ago. An excellent model and my 14 month old daughter certainly enjoyed the action!
    Other familiar layouts included the Soar Valley club's "Aylett End". This Southern region model features DCC control and many sound fitted locos. The scenics are excellent and I always enjoy seeing this model.
    Godric's Hollow is a OO gauge layout based on a SDJR branch. I believe it is fairly new to the exhibition circuit. I have seen previously it at last year's Loughborough and Burton events. Each viewing sees more and more progress made. For a "minimum space" layout it certainly has lots of operational interest with passenger services, general freight and services to the local dairy.
    Board Lane was also present. Chris Trafford's shunting layout, built on an ironing board, visited my own show last November. It was nice to see him and the layout once more.
     
    Amongst the layouts I was seeing for the first time was the O gauge model "Trebudoc". This small country branch station is just 9ft in length. In such a small space there was lots of operational interest and the ex GWR models looked superb.
    Alston was another superb N gauge layout, complete with an excellent viaduct model. Sadly my daughter decided to get hungry at that point and so I did not get enough time to view it. I hope I will get to see it again sometime in the future.
     
    During my visit I did get to chat to one or two layout owners about them potentially exhibiting their layouts at the Weston on Trent show in November. These are useful contacts and hopefully will lead to me adding more layouts to the show before too much longer.
     
    With wife and daughter hungry I took a detour on the way home, treating them to lunch in the Butler Henderson's cafe at Quorn and Woodhouse station on the GCR. During our visit I glimpsed two Leicester bound services through the window. The first was the DMU passenger, the second the diner which was hauled by Ivatt 46521. I also got the briefest glimpse of 6023 King Edward II on a Loughborough bound service.
    Incidently the food was very nice, the service not so good. Quite slow with not all meals served at the same time. As a GCR working member I was a little disappointed.
  5. andyram

    Sileby 2015

    By andyram,

    Another weekend and another model railway event. I stumbled on the Sileby show by accident a few years ago when I was idling my way through the show diary in the "Hornby Magazine". My first visit was very enjoyable and I have returned every year since, always enjoying my visits.
    Last year I was a little bit critical of the show due to the lack of 00 gauge steam layouts and the concentration of more modern based layouts. There can be no such complaints this time around. This year's event had a much better mix of eras and gauges and the quality of layouts on display were of very high quality. Whoever was in charge of booking the layouts for this year's show deserves a huge pat on the back. To get so many outstanding models in one moderately sized show is some achievement.
     
    As a 00 gauge steam modeller these layouts are always the ones that interest me the most. "Forest Green" was a definite highlight for me. A through station, set in a cutting scene with a town back drop made up of many resin low relief buildings. Many of these featured lighting. I have assembled quite a collection of such buildings ahead of my next project and to see them used very well, as here, it has certainly inspired my new project even more.
    A further large 00 gauge layout was "Glenmore Parva" which featured a large terminus station, a goods yard, engine shed and turntable. There was so much operational interest built into this model. Sadly operation was not something that was happening here. On the three occasions I viewed this layout it seemed to suffer from many incidents of loco stallings, derailments and trains being wrongly routed. As someone who, whilst exhibiting a layout, has made many mistakes I can appreciate the frustration for operators. This is a nice model, but on this occasion the enjoyment was spoilt by the many errors. Perhaps I was just unlucky to appear at the wrong times.
    Another steam era model in this scale, Ashbrook Dale, also suffered some inconsistent running - so much so that I saw the operators attacking it with a soldering iron at one point in the morning. I hope that they got it fixed as this is a fine LMS era model.
    Without doubt Clive Baker's EM gauge "Rolleston on Dove" stole the steam era award. I have seen this model on many occasions. It is an accurate depiction of the station and Clive has gone to great lengths to research the model to get things right. It is a fine model and ran faultlessly throughout.
     
    There were a couple of fine N gauge steam offerings too. Hawthorn Dene was a wonderful model based around the old colliery of the same name. This, like Rolleston on Dove, had been accurately researched and the operators seemed to know their stuff. Pendlebury Parva was the hosting club's own layout. This featured plenty of passing trains and a rather unique depiction of the Hogwarts Express, complete with flying Ford Anglia which was quite clever and definitely pleased the younger viewers.
     
    Without doubt the model that most appealed to younger visitors was the 09 model of Ditchford Treacle Mine. Described as a light-hearted model, it certainly had plenty of amusing cameo scenes to appeal to the younger audience. On this subject it was very nice to see some operators willing to encourage younger modellers. One operator on the N gauge, modern image layout, Westbrook invited a couple of young boys around to the back of the layout to see how it works. The excitement on the youngsters face was clear for all to see and this young man may well inspired to develop their own layout.
    Another layout that welcomed children around to the operating side was the 00 gauge diesel shunting layout "Evington St John". This small, East Anglian based, shunting layout crammed a lot of detail into a small space. It featured a novel variation on the loco cassette fiddle yard system with upturned Hornby plastic platform pieces glued together with track attached. Always nice to see new ideas. Also nice to see the operator allowing a young man to operate the layout independently.
     
    Other highlights included the N gauge modern image layout "Loch Tat". This has been around many local shows in recent years. With the track curving around the back of a wonderfully modelled Scottish loch it always brings back memories of my honeymoon in the Highlands.
    Up N Back was a superb 009 model of a preserved narrow gauge line, the river bridge was a wonderful model.
     
    To be fair there was not a poor model in the show and this was supported by a good range of trade. The club's second hand sales stand is one of the most extensive I have seen whilst there is a good choice of new and second hand models and scenic items on other stands. The catering was as nice and as reasonably priced as last week's Allestree show.
     
    So congratulations to the organisers for a very enjoyable show.
     
    The light hearted awards:
    Best layout: A tough choice but I will choose Forest Green as it was the most inspiring for me. But it just pips Rolleston on Dove.
    Best model: Not a model as such - but the unique use of old Hornby platforms as loco cassettes on Evington St John. Alternatively the Hogwarts Express with flying Ford Anglia on Pendlebury Parva.
    Best scenics: The loch scene on Loch Tat.
  6. andyram

    Sileby, Leicestershire

    By andyram,

    Three weekends in February so far and now three model railway shows visited. This time it was the Syston Model Railway society show which takes place in Syston, Leicestershire.
     
    I have to say I really enjoyed this show. Whilst there was once again nothing on the trade stands to tempt me, I enjoyed many of the excellent layouts on show. There were some old favourites such as Rowthorne and Cromer, both of which seem to attend every show I go to.
    I always like to see layouts that have appeared in the Hornby magazine, so it was nice to see Bishops Wearburn. This large N gauge layout always had something moving. The scenery was good too, with an impressive double track bridge over a river at one end.
    Summat Colliery was also enjoyable to watch and looks good too. Can't wait to see it once "Harry" gets the sound chip....Or should I not mention that
    I've not seen a Z gauge layout for a while, but "Nevermoor", set in LNER days was very impressive. So much detail in such a small scale. Just a shame that the owner heralds from Ipswich - I won't be able to afford to book it for my show later in the year.
    Mentioning small scale, the "T" gauge garden layout was also superb. Can't believe there is a working gauge as small as that!!
     
    Finally a mention on the catering. The bacon cobs were delicious, and contained much more bacon than at the Allestree show last wee!!
  7. andyram

    Springing forward

    By andyram,

    February half term has been and gone and, unbelievably, the Easter holiday is now less than three weeks away. The changeable nature of this particular Christian festival means that the school Spring term is often ridiculously short. This year there is just 24 teaching days between the February half term and the Easter break!
    Whilst the term length is always unpredictable, the Spring term always represents an important time in the planning of the Weston on Trent Model Railway Show. It is unbelievable to think that it is exactly five years since I first embarked on the journey of organising this particular event. Then I started out with a blank canvass, unsure of whether I would get enough layouts to fill the event. Many of the staff present at the first meeting have since moved on, but one thing remains, the yearly worries over whether I can get the enough exhibits. To the outsider this may seem a strange worry. After all, the show has grown year on year. Last year it filled 4 of the school's 5 classrooms as well as both main corridors. A total of 20 layouts was the highest I had ever achieved and I continue to use that as the target number for each event.
    One of my big worries concerns managing the finances. The Weston show operates with a "zero budget". Therefore any money I spend on layout expenses has to be generated by selling tables to the trade. We may have made £1000 profit last year, but none of that was carried forward to help with funding this event - it all went into the school funds for the new library area. This means I start again, and have to manage those expenses very carefully. I cannot let them mount up if I want to maximise the benefit to the school. It is a careful balancing act.
    In the past we have benefitted from a lot of goodwill from exhibitors. As we are effectively a charity show, raising money for the school, some have waived their expenses or even massively reduced them. In return we do make sure that we look after our exhibitors by providing free drinks all day and a decent hot meal. My on-going worry is whether that goodwill will continue to last for ever, after all exhibitors do have to cover their costs as well. Time will tell I suppose.
     
    The money raised last year was a huge help in the developing of the new library area. This is now well underway and should be completely stocked and computerised by the time the 2016 show comes around. This year the fundraising focus returns to the school's computing curriculum. We are looking to purchase more IPads and laptops for use in the classrooms. All money raised will go towards this.
     
    In my last blog I reported that I had begun to send out the layout information forms to those exhibitors who had expressed an interest about this year's show or whose details remained on file. Things have started to come back and the show is slowly beginning to take shape. Five forms have been returned whilst I have verbal confirmation that 8 more will be attending. Three of these have just received their forms so hopefully they will be back soon. That makes a tentative total of 13 layouts so far. There are other forms still to be returned so the total may still grow during the next couple of months.
    Recently I have been out on the layout hunt at the Sileby and Trowell shows. I handed out details to a couple of layout owners, but have had no reply yet. I also have another interested trader who I need to contact. This will give us someone who sells scenic items - this is something we were missing last year after Derby Trees dropped out. They are also double booked this year and so will not be returning.
    I suffered a little set back today. There were a couple of people I wanted to speak to you about possible exhibits. Sadly, due to a combination of "Mother's Day" and a poorly daughter it looks certain that I will miss out on the show. These things can't be helped of course, but it is still frustrating.
     
    I also mentioned in my last blog about my dilemma over "Skaleby West's" participation. I have pretty much decided that it will not be at the show this year. The next project, Skaleby Quay, will be nowhere near ready either. After giving it some thought my mind is turning towards building another layout specifically for the show. Given a working title of "Skaleby North Yard" the new project will be a quick build shunting puzzle type layout using the classic Inglenook 5, 3, 3 layout. I have a spare 4ft x 1ft baseboard doing nothing so that is likely to be used. If and when progress is made I will post details either on here, or via a specific layout thread.
     
    Until next time..
  8. andyram

    Stafford

    By andyram,

    I had been looking forward to today's Stafford show for the last few weeks as it would be my first show visit of 2012. This would be my 4th visit in as many years and I knew that there would be plenty of high quality layouts to see and lots of trade stands to tempt me to part with my hard earned cash.
    I was a bit worried by the snow forecast for the day, but relieved that it hadn't appeared when I left this morning.
     
    As someone who is building my first solo project at home I was hoping to get some ideas for my Skaleby layout and also pick up a few supplies to help with my next scenic project. Unfortunately I was not able to pick up the dry stone wall pieces I wanted for my station scene.
    I did trawl the stalls looking for bargains and whilst one or two items tempted me there was nothing which caused me to put my hand in my pocket.
     
    As a subscriber and regular reader of the Hornby Magazine, I always look out for those layouts that have appeared in its pages. I hope that these shows give me a chance to see some of these layouts "in the flesh". Today I enjoyed seeing "Dagnell End", a brilliant Southern region layout set in the London suburbs. The scenery on this is excellent. The station and track is set amongst several levels of scenery giving a real urban feel. The scratch built buildings are superb and I loved the touch of having glass walls on the half relief buildings at the front of the layout. The detail in the church was excellent, and the cinema foyer was very effective too. This layout also features a working underground section. The last time I saw this it was working very frequently, but in the time I was stood there today no trains moved.
    Another Hornby magazine layout was "Bash Street" which is set in 1959 and was making its last visit to an English show. This was the first time I had seen this layout and I was very impressed. It certainly caught the grime of a city location very well. Just a shame that this is the one and only time I will get to see it.
    The Hornby magazine's own layout "Berrybridge" was in attendance. This is a fairly simple layout compared to the other two mentioned, featuring a station, single road engine shed, goods yard and little in the way of non railway scenery. It is still a very nice model however and it was nice to see the trains running through the station on this occasion. The last time I saw Berrybridge was at the Bachmann event at Wirksworth when space meant that there were no fiddle yards and the model was used as a shunting layout. It certainly looked much better in its full exhibition set up.Perhaps a more scenic back scene would have improved things further. Easy for me to say though!
    There were a few other layouts in attendance which I had seen in the past. The shelf layout based on Cromer is small, but effective. I am not normally a fan of modern image layouts, but this one has kept me entertained at two previous shows. The operators did throw a steam special into the mix today. One modern image layout that really did catch my eye was St Giles. This Western region, Rail Blue era layout, had a constant flow of trains which is always important for maintaing a crowd. The scenics were good too with lots of detail packed into their busy street scene. There was even an Inspector Morse jag parked with a police van outside the pub. These extra touches always raise a smile.
    The Stafford society's own layout, New Haden Colliery, was there again. This is another one I have seen in the Hornby magazine. I like this one as there is always something happening with plenty of little tank engines shunting coal wagons, trains arriving and departing and passenger trains passing on the line at the front. The pit buildings are very well detailed too. When I first saw this layout it had a large back board. This, I think, made it difficult for the operators. Maybe that is why it has been removed. Now you can see everyone moving around behind as there is no back board at all. It does spoil the illusion somewhat.
    Talking of spoiling the illusion....surely someone on one particular layout should have noticed that on shed they had two standard 4's, BOTH numbered 75029!!!! That really is poor in my book!
     
    The best layout for me was EM gauge "Alkham". This branch line terminus station was set in rolling countryside scenery with beautifully modelled buildings and was brilliantly lit. Trains ran at realistic speeds without stalling. I could have watched it for hours and would still have found new things. Excellent!
     
    I should mention the Soar Valley Clubs layout "Dorehill St.Stevens". It claimed to be new although I am sure that I have seen bits of it before. It was huge!! Lots of trains and very entertaining.
     
    I really did enjoy the Stafford show. My only regret is that the snow started about 1pm, and I did rush the last hall in order to get away before the weather worsened.
  9. andyram

    Stafford 2013

    By andyram,

    And so it begins! The Stafford exhibition begins my model railway show expeditions for this year. Stafford is always one of my favourite events and I have been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks now. It always promises to be a big event with three halls packed full of impressive layouts and trade stands.In many ways it did not disappoint again this year. There were many large and impressive layouts to view. Just a shame my digital camera has decided to have a mood and won't let me download my images from the day.
     
    Having arrived, just after 10.30, my father and I spent a good 5 hours looking around the halls. Amongst the exhibits were some old favourites. These included "Romley Midland" which features a regular procession of trains to and from its small terminus station as well as trains from the colliery branch. This enters the line from a fiddle yard at the rear of the layout. There is always plenty to see. The scenics are excellent, although everything does seem a little too clean and perhaps the layout would benefit from more weathered stock - just a personal opinion though. The layout was up for sale and I am sure it will give its new owner many hours of pleasure.
    Poole in Wharfedale is another layout I have seen before. It featured at the Derby show last year. This is a lovely through station on a Yorkshire line with a wonderful scenic station, regular traffic and the added action of a working road way across the rear which adds to the scene. This was one of my favourite layouts in the show. Well done to Tim Couling and Harvey Whitmore for an excellent model.
    Another familiar model was Mike Kelly's B.R blue era OO gauge layout - "Everbury". I have seen three layouts built by Mike - Cromer, North Bridge and Everbury. All are excellent. He has great skill in adding little cameos and set pieces to the scenics to keep you interested - and there is always a train moving too. I tried to get Mike to bring a layout to my Weston on Trent show last year. Sadly he was away. Maybe I will have better luck this time around! Despite not being a diesel fan - I liked Everbury and spent quite a while watching the action.
     
    Everbury did seem to be part of a theme running through the Stafford show this year. One criticism I have of the event is that it seemed to be "top heavy" with diesel layouts. Not being a diesel fan this was disappointing, but I am sure that the modern image fans had a great day.
    Now I do enjoy some modern image / diesel layouts and I admired some of the many such layouts on show. Grange over Sands was another excellent model. Lots of detail was packed into this N gauge model, and my father was able to vouch for the authenticity of parts of the layout. The search and rescue helicopter "hovering" over the coast was a nice touch, as was the camera hidden away in a diesel which transmitted images of passing trains to an adjacent screen.
    Loch Tat was another excellent N gauge diesel model. I have seen it several times and it always brings memories of my honeymoon in Scotland a couple of years ago. The Loch itself is beautifully modelled, and the boat is very similar to one I photographed on Loch Linnhe during my stay. This layout won the best in show award. Congratulations to Adrian Lambourne.
     
    Of the "steam era" layouts I enjoyed the North of England line in N gauge. This featured in a recent issue of the Hornby magazine so it was great to see it in the flesh. Lots of scenic detail and set pieces in this layout too!
    The Lancashire and Yorkshire based "Calderwood" was another finely detailed model. This was also seen at Derby last year. I was pleased to see a lot more action taking place on the layout this time around and it was much more enjoyable to view as a result.
    Another excellent layout was the narrow gauge based "That Damn Railway". This depicted the building of a dam in Wales around the turn of the last century. There was a massive dam wall, with working cranes on the top, a narrow gauge line which zig zagged up the hill and lots of action on the steep gradients. The scenics were superb, with an excellent depiction of the worker's village. In my opinion this was the pick of the show.
     
    Two other layouts stood out for me. Firstly St George's Quay. This O gauge model was extremely detailed and included a working depiction of the coal being loaded into the waiting boats.
    Secondly was the "Somewhere in Belgium" model. Ted McElroy's shunting layout had lots of First World War detail. Now many people turn their noses up at shunting layouts, especially the "shunting puzzle" type. Here the operator worked to sequence five of the wagons onto the number 1 road in the order given on printed cards. I have tried something similar on parts of my home based layout and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Whilst watching the operator I was trying to second guess his moves.... I reckon I may have solved the puzzle quicker than he did...but then again, maybe not!
     
    All in all an excellent day out. I managed to pick up some Langley models stuff for my own exhibition layout. I can't wait for the chance to add them to Skaleby West later this week.
    Well done to all who organised the Stafford 2013 event. I did enjoy it. Can we have a few more steam, and less diesel layouts next year though!
  10. andyram

    Stafford 2014

    By andyram,

    The first weekend of February has produced my first model railway exhibition visit of the new year. I have been looking forward to the Stafford event all week as it is one of my favourite events of the whole year. It guarentees three large halls of exhibits with a host of large and impressive layouts to enjoy and plenty of trade to try and part me from my cash. Once again it did not disappoint. The show was excellent!
     
    My dad and I arrived at around 10.20, just twenty minutes after opening, and were greeted by a rather large queue. Clearly the show remains popular. Credit goes to the organisers who managed to keep the queue moving and, despite the numbers, we were in the hall in just over five minutes. Very impressive.
     
    At £9.00 per person the show is not cheap, but is definitely well worth the money. The show guide, at £1.00, was excellent value and, I think, cheaper than last year. The guide remains a good read and reference for the exhibits on show. Ok, Kenton, not too many track plans - but not everyone needs them!!
     
    This year the show featured a number of micro layouts in the "Sandylands" suite, providing plenty of inspiration to those with limited spaces. The pick of these models was "Ingleton Sidings" which is only 4ft x 1ft in size and is displayed on an ironing board. This takes the form of a shunting puzzle with a short headshunt and three sidings. The wagons are displayed on cards and then the cards were shuffled and five selected to form the train. The challenge is to shunt the wagons, in the short space, to achieve the sequence shown on the card. These layouts often received mixed reviews, but they are fascinating to watch. Set in a brewery sidings there was plenty of detail packed into the limited space with the additional touch of a video screen showing a live feed from a small camera hidden in a crate on the layout. This excellent model always seemed to attract the crowds.
     
    There were several layouts I had seen before including the N gauge "Melton Mowbray North" which aims to accurately represent the station and surrounding area. This is a superb model with key features including the "Home Ales" sign on the overbridge. The modern image "New Bryford" was on display. This is another excellent model with plenty of "yellow" on show. Peter Cullen's "Mannin the Middle" which represents the Isle of Man railways is an interesting circular shape.
     
    Scanning through the layout list before the show there were some layouts I was looking forward to see. The Hornby Magazine's "St Stephen's Road" has recently returned to the exhibtion circuit. It features an unusual triangular baseboard layout with Western and Southern region lines. The model did not disappoint with a number of sound fitted locos. The sound fitted and weathered Bachmann "Dukedog" was superb as was the sound and smoke fitted Spamcan. The highlight was the sound fitted model of City of Truro which looked a picture as it appeared, majestically, from the fiddle yard.
    BRM's "Black Country Blues" attracted a large crowd throughout the day and entertained with a procession of slow moving blue diesel hauled freight trains. The layout was superbly lit and the scenics were offset by a fantastic photographic backscene, one of the best I have ever seen!
     
    There are always models which have the "wow" factor. At Stafford that was definitely "Gresley Beat" which provided a constant flow of LNER action amongst fantastic scenery. This included a 70 odd wagon freight, hauled by an 0-6-0! A brilliant model and well deserving of the large crowds which gathered throughout the day. Mind you this did not stop the "picky" merchants having a moan. A gentleman next to me, loudly, bemoaned the lack of crews in many of the A4's, whilst my Dad criticised it for falling foul of his "pet hate". He hates bridges which go nowhere. Those bridges that end abruptly at the front of the baseboard always draw his (not mine) criticism. Even my own layout does not escape this! At times it was a little embarrassing to listen to my dad and the aforementioned gentleman "pick flies" out of such a superb model. For me it was the best in show!
     
    Mind you there was one or two layouts which did draw my criticism. The excellent N gauge model "Dentdale" did impress me. This excellent Settle and Carlisle model featured a couple of superb viaducts set in brilliant scenery. Sadly it was let down a little by the use of of two 8F's, both numbered 48773, within moments of each other. That is a cardinal sin in my opinion!
     
    Stafford does often suffer from the weather with heavy rain and snow causing trouble in past years. This year the recent rain did leave the car park very muddy. We were lucky to find a space on the hard standing and, therefore, had no problems. My father in law was not so lucky and got stuck in the mud!!!
     
    All in all an excellent show. Congratulations to all of the organisers. Here are my "awards" for the event. Remember these are only my humble opinion!!!
     
    Top layouts (the ones which kept me coming back for more)
    3rd: St Stephens Road: Plenty of sound fitted locomotives set in lovely off the shelf scenery.
    2nd: Inglenook Sidings: An enjoyable shunting puzzle in a limited space, with the opportunity for the public to have a go.
     
    1st: Gresley Beat: No contest! Plenty of scale length trains with lots of LNER action. Superb!
     
    Best scenic item
    Runner Up: The viaducts on "Dentdale",
     
    Winner: The photographic backscene and lighting on "Black Country Blues" - just excellent.
     
    Best model loco
    It could have been any of the sound fitted locos on "St Stephens Road" with the Dukedog and Spamcan being strong contenders. For me the pick was the sound fitted "City of Truo". It looked and sounded superb.
     
    And finally - the not so good.
     
    Runner Up: The doubling up of 8F 48773 on "Dentdale",
     
    Winner: I am not going to name the layout. All I will say is one model featured a card built model of a "cafe". This was falling apart, with the card roof clearly very bent. The colouring on the model looked like it had been done by one of my less able 6 year old pupils!!
     
    A great show though, thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
  11. andyram

    Stafford 2016

    By andyram,

    After a busy weekend I have finally managed to settle down to pen / type my thoughts about this year's Stafford Show. After missing last year's event I was very much looking forward to this year's show. Firstly I have to say it did not disappoint. Once again it featured three large halls of layouts in various gauges and a multitude of trade stands. All of this for £9.00 admission - representing very good value in my opinion, especially when combined with free parking and a free bus service to and from the station.
    We all know the issues the venue has with car parking and there is little the show organisers can do about this. With another large event on at the same time it was always going to put a strain on the car park, which was hampered by some very wet and boggy areas.
     
    Arriving at 10.45 we did not have to queue outside in the rain which was a blessing. Once inside we visited hall 3 first to beat the crush in the opening room. It also gave us a chance to view the club stand. Nothing to tempt me there though.
    There were some great layouts in this hall including Crimson Road and the O gauge shunting layouts Pinkpurse Yard and Chard's Creamery. The stand out layouts in this hall were two larger O gauge layouts, 82G is a fantastic MPD and featured some lovely steam locomotive models - the pick being the Jubilee (can't beat those wonderful locos in my opinion).
    Broom Junction was another superb O gauge model with a procession of passing London Midland trains. The only slight criticism would be that the operators seemed more intent on moving a small video camera around the scenic section to film passing trains. Ok, I know it is their layout and they can do with it what they like, but wouldn't it be better to do such filming before or after the show - it does spoil the illusion somewhat when the big hand from the sky appears to pick up or dump a camera onto the layout!
    Another layout that caught my eye was the Warley club's N gauge offering "The Ridgeacre branch". This managed to fit an entire operating branch line into a very small space. It was also good to see the layout owner hand over the controller to a youngster who was viewing the action. Great credit to him for that!
     
    In the middle hall there were more great layouts. For me one of the picks of the show was the Scottish based layout "Crinan". As someone who is building a coastal / quayside layout it provided great inspiration. The extended section featuring the river and rail over bridge was superb. The water was especially realistic. This layout almost won my best in show award - but was pipped by some in the first hall.
     
    Hall 1 featured Grantham which has moved on so much since I last viewed it. The GWR layout "Much Murkle" was a brilliant layout, and well lit too. Stackton Tressel provided a more urban scene with plenty of passing trains. It looked great, but a few unfinished areas did detract a little from the view - I think the owners are in the process of installing signals and the connections for these were in clear view.
    Without doubt Old Elms Road was the best layout for action. Not only was there a procession of passing Southern and Western region trains, but there was a large operating roadway too. The scenics were superb too and it kept my attention the longest. However the highlight of the show for me was "Freshwater". As someone who loves the Isle of Wight and its railways it was always going to be a favourite of mine. Yes it is undergoing renovation and needs more work, but its operation is a real tribute to the late Fred Shilton. Congratulations must go to the Stafford Railway Circle for their work on this layout. It does capture the feel of the island lines.
     
    All in all a brilliant show. I purchased a few bits from Langley Models for my developing Skaleby Quay layout and a Metcalfe platform kit for the same project. It was great to see the Oxford Rail Adams Radial on sale and I was very tempted - but resisted...just!
     
    Congrats to the organisers - I really enjoyed the event. It is definitely one of the best of the year.
     
    So here are my "light-hearted awards"
     
    BEST LAYOUT:
    1 FRESHWATER - as a fan of the Isle of Wight railways it had to be this.
    2 OLD ELMS ROAD - constant action and thoroughly entertaining. Was probably the best in show but for my I-O-W bias!
    3 CRINAN - a layout that has provided great inspiration for me.
     
    BEST MODEL:
    The O gauge model of a Jubilee on 82G.
     
    And the worst:
    Shunting manoeuvres on one layout. A train suddenly changing direction without any pause always spoils an illusion in my book. One O gauge layout in hall 2 did this constantly.
     
    The moment to make you smile!
    The operator of the "Ridgeacre Branch" handing over the controller to a young viewer and teaching him how to operate the trains. Good on him - it probably made the lad's day.
     
    And finally:
    Great to catch up with so many faces. I have tried to post some pictures on this blog but my laptop does not seem to be playing. I have noticed four have uploaded I will add some more tomorrow.
  12. andyram
    It has been a while since I updated this blog. But a few hours spent on Skaleby West has prompted me to provide the latest news on progress / lack of progress on the layout and on the second Weston on Trent show.
     
    Skaleby West was constructed last year. It took me nine months from starting it at the end of February, to completion for its debut at the first Weston show last November. Now my plans are to extend the scenic section by constructing a second 4ft x 1ft scenic board. Unfortunately the extension remains at the planning stage. Heavy work commitments have prevented me from making a physical start. The baseboards have not even been built. There are now just 6 months until the second Weston show. At this point last year the baseboards for the original Skaleby West had been built, painted and the track had been laid on the cork base. The holes had been drilled for the point motors and three of the four motors had been fitted. Should I be worried??
     
    My heavy workload should ease soon, and with a half term holiday just a week or so away I may just still manage it. My Dad has been primed to help out with the baseboard construction so that should help things along. There is less track to lay on the new board and no point motors to fit. Should I get the board constructed and track laid before the 6 week summer holiday then I may have a fighting chance.
     
    The modelling has been restricted to more repair work on the original Skaleby West. A couple of station lamps and one of the figures were re-glued onto the board and the track has received a thorough clean. A few trains have been run today.
     
    At least the Weston model railway show is not similarly stuck in the starting blocks! In fact it is bursting at the seams. I am still tying to juggle the 20 layouts which are on my confirmed / provisional list in order to try and fit them in. That extra room looks like it will be needed. I also have another trade stand to fit in. I am sure it will all turn out in the wash!
    During the last few weeks I have worked hard on publicity. Adverts have been sent to several magazines and websites. Leaflets have also been taken to many local shows. It was quite encouraging when I made a second visit to the Derby show last Sunday. All of the leaflets I had dropped off on Saturday had gone! I'm glad I had taken some more! Let's hope all those people come.
     
    Until next time...
  13. andyram

    Summer's over!

    By andyram,

    As I get stuck into planning for the new school year the summer really is over for me. It is back to the constant slog of planning lessons, preparing resources, attending meetings and dealing with all kinds of hassles. Yes I really do love my job!
     
    And with the end of summer comes an end to my extended modelling time. One final fling last week saw more progress made on Skaleby West. Using some Gaugemaster materials I created a small rock face on the nearside of the embankment. This was then covered with some lichen material and hanging basket liner to represent plants and grass. Some rocks were glued at the foot of the embankment to represent a small rock fall. I then added the Woodland Scenics cinders to the baseboard to fill the gap between the bottom of the embankment and the start of the track ballast.
     
    I was still not happy with the final effect of the hanging basket liner for the embankment grass, and decided this needed some more texture. Some Gaugemaster scenic scatter was sprinkled on over the top and then a layer of static grass was roughly added on top of this. This seemed to make things look a little better. The static grass was also applied at the rear of the platform, and along the top of a small embankment which had been built a few weeks ago on the right hand side of the layout, leading from the platform to the fiddle yard entrance on this side of the board. Things really have started to take shape, and I have added a few more factory built trees to the scene.

    A view of the embankment scene following the addition of the additional scatter materials.
    Next I turned my attention to the front of the baseboard. I had planned for a signal box and a small coal merchant’s scene in this area. I played around with a few buildings until I was happy with the final effect. I then cut cork bases for the buildings, glued these down and covered them with a layer of plaster bandage which was painted grey when dry. More cinder scatter was then glued around the coal staithes and the grounded wagon body which will act as the coal merchant. This all looks a bit too clean at the moment so I may tackle some weathering once all of the other jobs are done.

    A general view of the front area of the board is seen in the first picture, with a close up of the coal merchants yard in the second shot.
    The signal box is the Skaledale “Magna” model, purchased this week. I had test fitted the old Skaledale “Goathland” signal box in this location, which I had bought a few years ago, but this did not seem to look quite right.
     
    So things have moved on so here is a bit of a before and after comparison.

     
    The Show
    I continue to work on the advertising. There were leaflets present on a trade stand during the Midland Rail-ex show and other traders have had their leaflet supplies restocked. I have also contacted a couple of model magazines about having the show included in their diary pages.
    During the Midland Rail-ex show I spoke to a couple of layout owners and may have secured a couple more layouts for the show. One has confirmed, the other is still to get back to me. I am also awaiting replies from a couple of trade stands who may offer something different should they agree to attend.
    Recently I have also received some more details from exhibitors for the show guide. I had better get back onto this soon.
     
    Until next time….
  14. andyram

    Taking Stock

    By andyram,

    As the Weston-on-Trent show creeps closer here is a further update:
     
    The show
    What a difference a few days make. In my last blog I reported that a layout pulling out had reduced the total to 18. Within a few days it has increased to a provisional total of 21. One small layout which had pulled out earlier in the year is now coming again, and I have received a kind offer from another RMWeb user to bring their shunting layout too! It will certainly be good to welcome one of the website's younger members to the event.
    I have also confirmed arrangements for our first ever guest demonstrator. This has resulted in me opening up another small room in the school for this year's event. As part of the demonstration stand RMWeb user DonB's developing model of the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway will be on show. Although work in progress it will be well worth seeing!
    As thing stands the show will feature exhibits in 4 rooms and 2 corridors. This should be made up of 21 layouts, 8 traders and 2 demonstrations. At present there are just a couple of layouts awaiting final confirmation. Once this has been received I will post a full list of visiting layouts on the blog and the show page.
     
     
    The layout
    I now have the extra flowers and some more stock boxes courtesy of the Burton show last weekend. Now all I need to do is complete the extra scenic touches and decide on a loco roster for this year's show. I admit that I have a little bit of a dilemma with this. I am struggling to decide which of my vast collection of locos to roster into service for the day.
    For many years I was a railway modeller without a layout. During this time I did build up a rather large collection of steam outline models. These cover all of the “Big Four” regions as well as a selection of B.R standards. The majority are liveried in British Railways colours with a mix of early and late crests.
    Skaleby West does not represent any particular location or era. It could easily pass for a preserved line or a branch line in the latter days of steam. The only scenic items which suggest a location are the Midland region signal box, and the maroon liveried benches and station lamps. It was for this reason that I chose to run the layout with a Midland region feel last year. The initial loco roster included the following weathered models;
     
    Bachmann Standard 4 number 75065
    Hornby “Black 5” number 44762
    Bachmann Fairburn tank number 42667
    Bachmann Standard 4 number 80120 (seen below on my home layout)

     
    The first two locos did look a little too large for such a small layout, and a certain amount of artistic licence was used when running them on the short passenger trains.
    A second passenger set was worked regularly by my unweathered Bachmann Ivatt tank number 41324. This was borrowed, along with the coaching stock, from my permanent home layout, Skaleby. The loco and carriages worked at regular points during the day to depict a service from the model’s sister station (see below).

    My spare locomotives were two Bachmann unweathered models, “Jinty” number 47279 (seen on the layout below) and Midland 3F number 43474. These were both pressed into regular service due to problems with the Standard 4 tank and the Fairburn and ran impeccably.

    But what should I do this year? Do I stick with the Midland theme? If so what models should I choose? I definitely need to make some changes to last year’s roster. The Fairburn tank has developed a fault and cannot run and 75065 and the Black 5 really are too big.
     
    My plan is to run with two passenger sets and two mixed freight sets throughout the day, with the freights being shunted in the yard in between each arrival and departure. This means I need 5 regular locomotives and a couple of spares. Perhaps I will throw it open to others. Any suggestions as to what I should run??
  15. andyram
    So, as I write this blog, there is now less than three days to go until the first ever Weston-on-Trent model railway show. Now is the time that things should be coming together. As far as the layouts are concerned that is very much the case. Most layout owners have replied to my recent email and confirmed their attendance and how many operators are due to be coming. That will help us to sort out the free lunches for them and hopefully ease the growing panic amongst the ladies who are running the refreshments on the day. The planning meeting on Monday saw some very stressed ladies!!
    The problem is, as this is our first show, we just do not know how many people to expect. We could have just 50 people through the doors, or we could have ten times that. It is impossible to make a prediction which makes stocking up on food very difficult. We don't want to waste profits by ordering too much, but we don't want to order too little and run out within the first hour. It is a difficult balancing act and it is causing some stress amongst the ladies at present.
     
    Am I stressing? Well maybe just a little! Whilst the layout owners have been brilliant at replying with the necessary informaton, the same cannot be said of the traders. Despite being asked two weeks ago to send payment in advance, I am still waiting for several of them to come up with the money. Worryingly one of these claims to want an advert in the show guide which is due to be printed on Friday and the ad hasn't been sent either. The last thing I want is to be printing the guides on the morning of the show!
     
    I also need to put the finishing touches to Skaleby West. Sadly modelling time has been eroded as my ten month old daughter has chosen the perfect time to turn into a diva. Anyone who saw her smiling and charming people at Burton on Sunday...do not be fooled! Actually, to be fair, a serious case of teething has caused some very restless nights which has restricted the time I have had to finish the layout. I have had to grab whatever time I can. Last night I stole ten minutes, before heading out to the Rams match, to glue down the cork on the fiddle yard board. Tonight I have turned my attention to detailing the platform. Earlier in the week I added signs to the station fencing, station lamps and benches. A pile of baskets were glued onto the platform in front of the station building and some more "goods" were added to the platform in the good's yard. Now I have added the figures to the platform and added the station name board. Here are the latest pictures,

    The newly installed station name board, trolley of milk churns, benches and people.

    A general view across the platform showing the additional detail including signs, people and pile of baskets.

    Further details to the top of the tunnel. A single man watches the action from the top of the embankment and a garden roller leans against the cottage wall.

    More goods added to the good's yard area. The goods shed still needs some attention before Saturday.
     
    And so as time continues to tick I still need to finish the fiddle yard and add more detail to the layout. The show guide needs finishing and I need to make some road signs!!! I almost forgot about them!!!
     
    Until next time....
  16. andyram
    Just over a week ago I broke up for my school's half term planning a relaxing week at home with my wife and new daughter. I had even hoped that I could end my modelling drought by restarting work on my home layout of Skaleby. But like the best laid plans of mice and men life does not always work out how you expect it. Visits to two model railway shows and several local model shops failed to find the dry stone wall pieces that I needed for my planned half term project. And with no other parts of Skaleby really providing me alternative inspiration, things have remained static in that area.
    But that was not to be it of course. A flippant comment made during a school fundraising meeting has landed me with the job of organising a model railway show at the school. This will be to raise funds for our "fifth anniversary appeal". It also landed me with the job of providing a layout of my own for the show. Sadly, Skaleby is not portable so I have decided to start another layout which will be Skaleby's little brother and one that will be built specifically to attend shows.
     
    So here is where we have got to now:
     
    The show
    Throughout half term I have been frantically researching show dates for the end of the year. The school's headteacher wants the event to take place in 2012 in order to fit in with our year of fundraising events. I have checked the dates of as many local shows as I can think of, and have come up with a list of prospective dates that won't clash. These will be taken to the governor's meeting later this week for confirmation.
    At present I am 99.9% certain that the show will be on Saturday 10th November and will take place at Weston-on-Trent Primary School in South Derbyshire. Once the date is confirmed I will be turning my attention to creating leaflets and posters to advertise the event.
    I have been very humbled by the response I have received from fellow RMWeb members and the offers of layouts I have already received. As this is a new show, and one that is being run to raise funds for the school, I have already stated the fact that I am unable to pay out much in the way of expenses. This has not stopped the layout offers coming in and I am really excited by the offers I have had. At least one layout offered had appeared on the "hit list" I dreamt up during the last few days.
    I have also received two definites for trade stands too, and that was from the first two people I asked!
     
    My recent visit to the Sileby show even brought up the possibility of a couple more layouts too. I am so amazed how easy it was to discuss this with people. As someone who admits to being quite shy, it was a big effort to actually ask people face to face for help. Thanks to all of those for being so helpful and understanding.
     
    So I hope to be able to formally announce the date soon and will then start finalising the list of layouts and looking for trade stands. It is all quite exciting!
     
    The layout
    I never thought a week ago that I would be contemplating another layout build. I have so much to do on my permanant home layout, Skaleby, that starting another one would be a ridiculous notion. But I have promised to show a layout of my own at our show. In reality, building a show layout has always appealed to me anyway and so this is a good excuse, even if the Weston show may be the only one it ever visits!
    As I am on a deadline and need to construct the model in just 8 or 9 months I have decided on a small micro layout. I have already purchased wood for the baseboard which will be 4 ft x 1 ft. The railway has been given a working title of "Skaleby West" and will feature a small branch line station complete with passing / run-round loop and a couple of goods sidings. This will allow me to transport some of my smaller stock over from Skaleby.
    I am not intending to model a particular region, and will make things deliberately freelance and vague. That way I could choose to run the model as ex GWR, Midland or even North Eastern region as I have appropriate locos and stock for these areas.
    So far I have played around with the track layout and have come up with what I think will be the final track plan. This is shown in the picture below. So far the board is sat on the top of the rabbit hutch which shares the railway room with Skaleby. I just need to run a few trains to check the plan is operable.

  17. andyram
    Just over a week ago I broke up for my school's half term planning a relaxing week at home with my wife and new daughter. I had even hoped that I could end my modelling drought by restarting work on my home layout of Skaleby. But like the best laid plans of mice and men life does not always work out how you expect it. Visits to two model railway shows and several local model shops failed to find the dry stone wall pieces that I needed for my planned half term project. And with no other parts of Skaleby really providing me alternative inspiration, things have remained static in that area.
    But that was not to be it of course. A flippant comment made during a school fundraising meeting has landed me with the job of organising a model railway show at the school. This will be to raise funds for our "fifth anniversary appeal". It also landed me with the job of providing a layout of my own for the show. Sadly, Skaleby is not portable so I have decided to start another layout which will be Skaleby's little brother and one that will be built specifically to attend shows.
     
    So here is where we have got to now:
     
    The show
    Throughout half term I have been frantically researching show dates for the end of the year. The school's headteacher wants the event to take place in 2012 in order to fit in with our year of fundraising events. I have checked the dates of as many local shows as I can think of, and have come up with a list of prospective dates that won't clash. These will be taken to the governor's meeting later this week for confirmation.
    At present I am 99.9% certain that the show will be on Saturday 10th November and will take place at Weston-on-Trent Primary School in South Derbyshire. Once the date is confirmed I will be turning my attention to creating leaflets and posters to advertise the event.
    I have been very humbled by the response I have received from fellow RMWeb members and the offers of layouts I have already received. As this is a new show, and one that is being run to raise funds for the school, I have already stated the fact that I am unable to pay out much in the way of expenses. This has not stopped the layout offers coming in and I am really excited by the offers I have had. At least one layout offered had appeared on the "hit list" I dreamt up during the last few days.
    I have also received two definites for trade stands too, and that was from the first two people I asked!
     
    My recent visit to the Sileby show even brought up the possibility of a couple more layouts too. I am so amazed how easy it was to discuss this with people. As someone who admits to being quite shy, it was a big effort to actually ask people face to face for help. Thanks to all of those for being so helpful and understanding.
     
    So I hope to be able to formally announce the date soon and will then start finalising the list of layouts and looking for trade stands. It is all quite exciting!
     
    The layout
    I never thought a week ago that I would be contemplating another layout build. I have so much to do on my permanant home layout, Skaleby, that starting another one would be a ridiculous notion. But I have promised to show a layout of my own at our show. In reality, building a show layout has always appealed to me anyway and so this is a good excuse, even if the Weston show may be the only one it ever visits!
    As I am on a deadline and need to construct the model in just 8 or 9 months I have decided on a small micro layout. I have already purchased wood for the baseboard which will be 4 ft x 1 ft. The railway has been given a working title of "Skaleby West" and will feature a small branch line station complete with passing / run-round loop and a couple of goods sidings. This will allow me to transport some of my smaller stock over from Skaleby.
    I am not intending to model a particular region, and will make things deliberately freelance and vague. That way I could choose to run the model as ex GWR, Midland or even North Eastern region as I have appropriate locos and stock for these areas.
    So far I have played around with the track layout and have come up with what I think will be the final track plan. This is shown in the picture below. So far the board is sat on the top of the rabbit hutch which shares the railway room with Skaleby. I just need to run a few trains to check the plan is operable.

  18. andyram

    The clock is ticking!

    By andyram,

    Back in February I uttered those immortal words during a school staff meeting...."perhaps we could have a model railway show to raise funds for the school". And so there was no backing out. The staff liked the idea and handed the organisation over to me. After all, I am sure that none of the female dominated staff had ever been to a model railway show, let alone realised such things existed!! I am not being sexist here you understand...there are some great blogs written by female modellers out there...they are just not part of our staff who see the token male and his interest in all things model railways to be a passing amusement! Mind you, I think they saw a great "get out clause". With the school celebrating its 5th anniversary in its new purpose built building, and needing to raise £5,000, the headteacher wanted the staff to run a fundraising event to contribute. So why not let the token male go away and do it all?? Perfect for them...not so for me!
     
    In February I was panicing. How on earth could I get this done. I have never been a member of a model railway club, and didn't know a thing about organising a show! What was I to do?? Thankfully many fellow RMWebbers came to my assistance and things began to move. Now the clock is ticking and there are just a few weeks to go until the day of the event finally arrives! It is amazing to look back and see how far things have come. From having no layouts and no idea how to get any..I now have several. Fellow bloggers have promised some layouts with Irton Road, Friarsgate, Guy's Cuttings and Summat Colliery all agreeing to attend for little or no expenses. A big thanks to these guys in advance and I can't wait to see all of these layouts on the day. I also have a demostrator and a diorama that I must confirm in the next few days.
     
    The organising of the show has also given me plenty of bargaining power with my wife. She has been very understanding as I have disappeared off to attend countless local shows in the hunt for more layouts. This has produced a display of micro layouts from Ken Jones and Malcolm Hughes as well as a commitment from the Famous Trains group to bring their "Darley Green" layout. Chris Trafford's "Board Lane" has also been promised and I await an email from a gentleman I saw at Butterley who also promised to attend with his foreign based layout. I also have some representatives from the Ilkeston group who are attending with their Thomas layout which the children can pay to drive - funds going to the school. Thanks in advance guys!!!
     
    I was flying even before a visiting teacher heard about the event and promised a rather large modular layout from the Belper group.
     
    And then of course there is my own layout, Skaleby West. I hadn't even thought of attempting a show layout before February, but now this is nearly finished. The fiddle yard board has been completed and one small area of scenery still needs to be attempted. Can I leave it until October half term??? Maybe not! That is just two weeks before the show.
     
    So as I take stock, and finalise the floor plan over a relaxing pint of "Flying Scotsman" real ale I can feel the panic subsiding a little. Lots of layouts and plenty of trade stands promised too! Hang on! There is still the catering to organise, the show guide to finish and the traders stall rents to collect. Oh and the hope that all my measurements are correct and everything fits where I intend it to go! Oh and that enough people respond to our adverts and turn up on the day...nothing worse than an exhibition with no punters! I can feel the panic returning. Maybe I need another pint!!!
     
    Actually what I do need is the staff to step forward and help out with the catering and the raffle. I had better hope that they step up during tomorrow night's fundraising meeting. The only thing on the agenda - the Weston-on-Trent Model Railway show. Oh and I have a couple of small gaps in corridors. Just right for a couple of small shelf layouts. Now then....if anyone is free on Saturday 10th November....................
     
     
    Until next time...
  19. andyram

    The clock is ticking....

    By andyram,

    As the pumpkins appear outside some of the doors on our street, and little witches, ghosts and wizards start begging at my door, it reminds me that November is almost here. In fact there are now just 17 days until the second Weston-on-Trent model railway exhibition. That is quite a scary thought as there is just so much to do. Here is the latest update:
     
    The show
    After the children had left school at the end of the half term last Friday, I finally made it into the junior classroom to complete the measuring up. This will form the extra room for this year's event. With the help of the headteacher's husband things were completed quickly. I have since spent the early part of the half term break completing the floor plan and sending out the confirmation emails.
    Sadly things have not gone as smoothly as I had hoped. A number of emails have come back with quick confirmations, but one or two have brought additional problems. One layout has changed shape! Yes the dimensions given to me at the original time of booking are now different and that will mean some further tinkering with the plan. In addition to this, one trader decided to moan about their planned change of location in the hall whilst another decided to argue over the agreed price! Sadly a further email has brought news that one layout has had to pull out. Whilst it was one of the smaller exhibits it is still a little disappointing!
    At present the layout count stands at 18. This is one more than last year. I had set myself a target of 20 so I am back on the search again. The question is, can I really find two more layouts at such a late stage?? Time will tell! Perhaps it is time to contact those people whose details I have placed "on file".
     
    The layout
    As regular readers of this blog will know, I built my first exhibition layout for last year's show. Since then Skaleby West has been stored in our spare room with plans to add a second scenic board in time for this year's event. Sadly that will not now happen.
    With our house still on the market the extension board has been stored out of sight in the garage. So far the baseboard has been glued together, but it still awaits the final screws before any scenic work can begin. Even if I manage to complete the baseboards there is just no chance I can do any serious work on it. The extension is now on hold until next year although the board may still be used as a second fiddle yard to allow Skaleby West to be exhibited as a through station for the first time.
    With a free day today I did give some attention to the current scenic board. The whole layout was cleaned to remove the layer of dust and a few repairs were carried out. It seems the original modelling glue does not come up to standard. A few of the platform items had come loose as had some of the "goods" in the goods shed. These were all re-glued before some additional detail was added.
    A bicycle was added to the platform and some Mini-Natur flowers were glued behind the station name board to hide the white plastic "feet" which could still be seen from some angles. At present red roses dominate the scene as this is the only colour I have. Hopefully I can pick up some other colours from Burton at the weekend allowing me to complete the scene. Here are some updated photographs, apologies for the poor quality as they from my mobile phone.

    Fresh from some maintenance Ivatt tank 41324 arrives with a short works train.

    A mobile phone shot showing the developing flower bed behind the station running in board.

    A shot towards the station building showing the newly added bicycle.

    The coal merchants complete with workman now re-glued in a new location.
  20. andyram
    I remember visiting a local model railway show a few years ago, I can't remember where, and seeing a young lad displaying his first ever show layout. For someone of probably no more than ten years of age the scenic detail was excellent. I do not remember the name of the layout, but what I do remember is my father's criticism as we walked away. He was less than impressed with the "authenticity" of the trains the lad was running. During our time watching the layout I recall that we saw two trains pass through his station. One was made up of British Railways maroon Mk 1 coaches, hauled by a Regional Railways liveried diesel. The second was made up of "blood and custard" Mk 1's, hauled by a blue and yellow liveried diesel. My dad was less than impressed feeling that this would "never happen!"
     
    After the last ten days or so, I can tell my father that yes it does. I guess this lad was modelling a preserved railway where, let's be fair, anything goes! A recent visit to Peak Rail provided an example of the first of those particular trains. I have not visited for a while, and had never travelled on the newly extended line into Matlock Network Rail station. Sat at Rowsley Station I observed the train of maroon Mk 1's arrive, hauled by a Regional Railways liveried class diesel loco. At the rear an Austerity 0-6-0 in pseudo J94 livery followed quietly. The train was top and tailed with steam and diesel traction. The reason? The extension into the network rail station has taken away the line's run round loop. The old "Matlock Riverside" station retains this facility for services in January and February, but the network rail station has no run round facility.
    It seems a strange decision to me. Why extend a line a few hundred yards, but then have to use two locos and therefore double the fuel on services. Surely that does not make financial sense? Maybe I was just feeling sore as this meant my train was only steam hauled one way.
     
    The following week I visited the North Yorkshire Moors Railway where Sir Nigel Gresley was in steam. I hope you enjoy some of the shots I have taken of this wonderful loco.

    Arriving at Levisham

    Arriving at Pickering

    Departing Grosmont.
     
    Now after travelling behind the A4 from Levisham - Pickering and back to Grosmont, we broke our journey in order to take the above picture and visit the loco sheds. Sadly, the following departure was made up of blood and custard mk 1's and a blue and yellow liveried class 37 diesel! Gutted!! The 1 in 49 "Goathland bank" is not quite as appealing when all you can hear is a lawn mower growling in front and smell the stench of diesel oil and blue smoke!
    Now I appreciate that a lot of people are fans of diesel locomotives. I have enjoyed many excellent modern image layouts at exhibitions, and I liked this lad's particular layout even with the diesel models, but I am not a fan of the real thing and when I visit a steam railway I expect to travel behind steam so this turn of events was very disappointing, especially when the same locomotive took charge of my second Grosmont - Levisham journey later in the week.
    It seems that the diesels are gradually becoming more common on our heritage lines. Are we seeing dieselisation all over again?? Last weekend I visited the GCR where half of the departures for the day were diesel hauled. A "period" notice in the waiting room at Loughborough stated that due to the "current modernisation the following departures will be hauled by modern diesels". Following this I drove to the model railway exhibition at the GCR's Nottingham site. All trains here were diesel hauled!! I didn't travel on either line! Today's midweek GCR services saw 3 / 6 trains diesel hauled again! At least my daughter and I managed to get some steam hauled miles in today. I reckon, against the odds, I have managed over 100 steam hauled miles during the last 3 weeks. But I'd better watch out for those diesels.
    Hang on...what is that entering my Skaleby West station this evening....

     
    It seems that I can't escape the curse of the diesels. Even my model railway has succumbed!
     
    I'd better finish with a steam shot!!!

  21. andyram

    The hunt has begun

    By andyram,

    Now I appreciate that winter services into Skaleby West are rather infrequent, but is that really an excuse for a couple of members of the local gentry to use the track bed to exercise their steads? I wonder what those passengers, sat on the platform waiting for the next service, thought about the arrival of a couple of members of the Skaleby Hunt as they passed through the station in the "four foot".
    Considering Skaleby West station is built on land within the estate of Skaleby Manor, perhaps Lord and Lady Skaleby feel that they are within their rights to use the line in this way.
     
    In truth the errant horse riders are actually a pair of pre-painted Langley Models figures - purchased from the Stafford show last weekend. I just could not resist them. I do like the Langley Models goods and was looking for some figures to add a little more life and interest to my exhibition layout. Their presence on the track was actually because I had just glued the riders onto their horses and wanted to keep them upright whilst the glue dried. They have now taken up residence in their planned location - on the dirt track which crosses the top of the tunnel - see the pictures below.

     
    The Stafford exhibition began a run of show visits with Allestree, Sileby, Trowell, Mansfield and Nottingham all coming up in the next few weeks. This will begin my own hunt - a hunt for layouts for this year's Weston on Trent show.
    In my last post I appealed for layouts, sadly no offers came. I am not worried however. After all I did not start planning the 2012 show until February anyway. This year I do have a number of things sorted for the show already.
    6 traders have confirmed their intention to attend. I just need one more and I am looking into that.
     
    Several layouts have already been sorted with several exhibitors from last year agreeing to return with other models. This week I have confirmed another layout. At the latest count I have organised 8 exhibitors bringing up to 10 layouts. This still leaves space for 7 or 8 more. During my upcoming show visits I will be on the lookout for a few more layouts for the show - and if there are any RMWeb users out there who are interested in attending please get in touch.
    Meanwhile I am still working on the planning consent for the extension to Skaleby West - will the powers that be (the wife) pass the application?? With half term approaching I am hoping to finish the repair work to the layout and add some more detail. I have a few more Langley items awaiting attention.
     
    Until next time...
  22. andyram

    The last week!

    By andyram,

    As I sit and write this entry there is less than a week to go until the Weston on Trent model railway exhibition. Things are slowly coming together, but there is still so much to do in the next five days.
     
    At present I am working on putting the show guide together. It is almost finished, but still requires information from one layout owner. My aim is to get the guide finished by Wednesday so that it can be printed on Thursday and Friday. This year's guide will run to 12 pages compared to 8 last year.
     
    The raffle still needs sorting. So far we have the usual array of wine and biscuits promised and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and Midland Railway have replied to my request with the promise of raffle prizes. Hopefully they will arrive in time. Sadly a number of local preserved lines have ignored the request. I am sure that they receive many requests, but a reply to say no would not go amiss. I have to say the lack of any response from the Great Central is especially disappointing considering I am a working member there! Time yet I suppose. The raffle has been boosted by some railway DVD's which have been donated for this year.
     
    Tomorrow sees the final planning meeting. Hopefully the rest of the staff will provide the same commitment as last year. They did a cracking job on the refreshments and have set high standards for this year.
     
    Finally I still have Skaleby West to finish. Still no final loco roster yet, and still some last minute scenic work to complete. Update to follow on this later in the week.
     
    Until next time...
  23. andyram

    The Longest Day

    By andyram,

    According to my diary the “longest day” is the summer solstice in June when we have more daylight than on any other day. For me the longest day was, without doubt, Saturday 10th November, the date of the Weston-on-Trent model railway show.
    The show has been nine months in the planning, and the subject of many a blog entry here on RMWeb. Now the day has been and gone. And what a day it proved to be!
     
    It all started the night before as I began to pack up Skaleby West for transportation. The layout has never been out to a show before and so this was a learning experience. I really did not know how much stock I would need. I filled a single Bachmann stock box with freight vans and wagons, and another with locomotives. I do have a vast collection of locos and so it was a tough choice to decide what to take. I decided that I wanted to take as many factory weathered locos as I could, and that I wanted to run with a Midland Region feel. After a lot of decisions I settled on a collection that featured Fairburn tank 42267, Standard 4 tank 80120, Standard 4 75065, Black 5 44762 and unweathered Ivatt tank 41324 which I “borrowed” from the working fleet on Skaleby, my permenant home layout. I also added unweathered Midland 3F 43474 and Jinty 47279 to a bag of stock to act as spares.
     
    Things did not start well. As I loaded up the stock box I managed to drop my milk tanker on the floor, snapping the coupling off. Gutted! The wagon has never been operated and will now need repairing before I can use it. Not the start I wanted – and it was the first of several mishaps.
     
    On the morning of the show I was up at 5am. After a fairly relaxed breakfast I began the task of loading up the car. Having never done this before it took a while. The task was made more difficult by the need to do the loading up in the dark, and as quietly as possible to avoid waking my wife and daughter. Thankfully I was able to complete the job in time to get to school for just after the 7am opening up time. I was rather surprised to find a stallholder sat on the doorstep. It seemed the caretaker had opened up and then disappeared. After sorting the stall holder out I began to unload Skaleby West. Sadly the journey had taken its toll. Some of the trees had shed their leaves, part of the station fencing had fallen over and two station lamps had become detached.
     
    The next couple of hours passed by in a blur as I set about erecting the layout and repairing the damage, in-between directing exhibitors and stall holders to their “pitch”. Things did seem to be settling down until one of the other staff members, Chris, came though to tell me that the gas boiler wasn’t working in the kitchen. I’m not quite sure whether that was before or after she had contrived to lock herself in the staff toilet! She did have quite an eventful morning!!
     
    A few frantic phone calls for help and we did get the boiler relit so we could fire up the ovens ready for the lunch run and also begin supplying the thirsty with valuable teas and coffees. I left them to it and raced around distributing lunch and exhibitor passes, ensuring the show guides and voting forms were ready at the front door. Then someone asked the question…where are the toilets? Whoops. Forgot to put up the signs! I hadn’t actually made them! A quick bit of delegating and that was sorted!!
     
    After a quick intake of breath it was back to the classroom to finish erecting Skaleby West. By now there was about an hour until opening. The stock was placed on the layout; the controller connected up and……NOTHING! The whole layout was dead! I set about cleaning the track. Still nothing! I tried substituting the controller. No good! More track cleaning, more controller testing. Still nothing!! The Famous Trains group who were setting up next to me almost saw a grown man cry. After all this work, surely I wasn’t going to have to leave the layout as a static exhibit! I had been looking forward to running it! Off went the power at the plug, the connections taken apart and then reconnected. The power turned back on and……..IT WORKED!!! The relief!! I then ran a couple of test trains before heading off around the school to see how everyone else was getting on. This was about the only time that I got to see some of the exhibits. Whilst I had seen some of the layouts at other events there were a few, exhibited by other RMWeb users, that I had only seen in photographs. I have to admit that I was pretty pleased. All the layouts looked great.
     
    At 10.30am I checked that everyone was ready and we opened the doors. It was a little disheartening to see only a handful of people in queue. I suddenly feared that there was a risk of an embarrassing failure on our hands. Thankfully the show started to fill up during the first hour, and there was a steady stream of people throughout the day. Spending the day operating Skaleby West, it was great to meet some friendly people including some who had been following this blog. A big thanks to all of those people who gave feedback. I knew we would not get it right first time. Clearly the road signs were not clear enough, and many felt that we could have charged a little bit more for the food and the tickets. I thank people for their comments. It was great to hear so many positive comments too. I hear that people were impressed with the quality and number of layouts on show. So a big thanks to all of the exhibitors. Here are some shots from the day.

    Irton Road

    Ilkeston's Thomas layout.

    Chris Trafford's "Board Lane"

    Alan Cheadle's "Friarsgate".

    Two shots of the impressive N gauge layout "Guy's Cuttings".

    Summat Colliery

    Busy times at Summat Colliery

    Malcolm Hughes' Suitcase Layout.

    Ken Jones and his Waterfall Junction layout.

    Belper Modular Layout

    A Layout in a T.V!!

    Famous Trains' Darley Green layout.

    Rolleston on Dove

    A busy tiime at Skaleby West
     
    So then, nine months ago I did not have a clue how to organise an exhibition. I didn’t even know if I would get any layouts, let alone enough to fill a show. RMWeb has been a great help. I would like to thank all of the users who offered their advice and to those who brought their layouts a very special thank you. Without you there would have been no show. What a great website this is!
     
    Nine months ago I had never really considered building an exhibition layout. But Skaleby West has been developed during this time and made its debut at the show. Admittedly it was not finished but I hope it passed muster! After its early niggles it ran fairly well. There were a few stalling issues and the Standard 4 tank derailed constantly as it crossed the points at the start of the fiddle yard. The loco had never been run before and it was with sadness that I had to take it out of service. This did allow the Jinty to step in and it ran impeccably all day. I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed operating the layout for the public. This may be its one and only exhibition outing but I do intend to finish it. I will add the extra detail, wire the points and plan some kind of box to transport the scenic section safely should it ever venture out again. I will also complete the fiddle yard as the track was just loosely laid for the Weston show. You never know when it may be needed again….
     
    Well actually it could be next year!
     
    The show certainly can be considered a success. We made just under £700 profit for the school which helped us to reach our £5,000 target for the year. 8/10 people who left the show apparently said “see you next year” and I believe there were other positive comments. So it looks certain that the show will happen again next year…date to be confirmed. I feel quite relieved that we were successful and quite proud as well. But I would like to thank all those who made the show a success. All of the staff worked tirelessly in the kitchen, all the layout owners and traders who supported us. Also a big thanks to all who visited for your support and comments. I hope we will see you next year!
     
    Finally I would like to congratulate David Rae whose layout, Irton Road, won the best in show prize after the votes were counted.
  24. andyram
    I suppose it is fitting that the 50th post in this blog marks the end of another show! The third Weston on Trent show is now behind us. In the previous two years I have followed up the event by posting a blog entry that suggested that the day of the show felt like the longest day. Without doubt this year's event can claim to be the longest of longest days. Here is the true story of Weston 2014!
     
    The final preparation for the event did not go well. A hectic week at school with leadership courses, parents meetings and student visits added to my growing work load. Then my beloved wife, Sarah, decided to go down with the flu! Ironically she had only had the flu jab the previous Thursday, but by Monday she was confined to bed! So my evenings became a time for looking after our young daughter and trying to do as much as I could for Sarah whilst trying to stay on top of my workload. Predictably the show preparation took a back seat. All of the jobs I normally am so on top of were left to the very last minute - final confirmation e-mails, exhibitors passes, lunch passes and show guide were all completed at the very last minute. In the case of the latter it certainly showed as there were a couple of glaring mistakes that slipped through the net.
    I had hoped to do so much to Skaleby West too. Sadly my exhibition layout saw very little work although I did manage to replace the goods shed and refresh the goods yard - more on the layout's own thread!
     
    The morning of the show did not have the best of starts. At just 2am my daughter Amber woke up and decided to join us in bed. Nothing odd in that as it is par for the course these days. But she then inexplicably woke up at 3am, 4am and just before my 5am alarm. Once she drifted back off to sleep after the last of these I got up, bleary eyed, to begin the preparation. I did manage to avoid waking her again as I loaded the car with the layout and stock, and she was still asleep when I left at just before 6am.
    The journey to school was interrupted by the need to put up road signs. Our attempts to do this the night before had been scuppered by a argumentative member of a local parish council - lessons learned for future years there! The signs did not go up smoothly. The first was no trouble, the second did not seem to want to play. The cable ties I had bought did not seem to be up to the job and I wrecked several in the battle that followed. At one point whilst trying to adjust the sign I got up and smacked my head on the underneath of the sign above and so started the day by seeing stars. Fortunately a small cut and a bump were the only outcomes!
    Once that sign was up the rest played along nicely and I arrived at school well before my 7am opening time. At least the security firm had unlocked early so I could get straight in. That was lucky as two stall holders were sat on the doorstep! As soon as they were inside and all the rooms were opened up, lights switched on and water heater up and running I was able to start unloading Skaleby West. My plans had placed me in a different classroom, but a last minute moment of doubt had me change things around again and I was back in the same place as last year.
    Things went smoothly from then on as I set up the layout in breaks between guiding other exhibitors and traders to their pitch. A number of exhibitors needed help with lifting and carrying and I was only too happy to oblige. By 8.30am Skaleby West was ready. I plugged it in and placed my trusty old Jinty on the track and held my breath. The layout had not run since the week following the 2013 show and had suffered two house moves and several location changes. Surely it would not work! It did though - with no issues aside from some track cleaning.
    By 9am I was free to stroll around the show and take some pictures. Things seemed to be coming together well, but there were still 3 missing layouts and 1 missing trader. Time was ticking and I was starting to worry. Thankfully all turned up within a few minutes of each other.
    The new head teacher was around and he was deployed to act as car park marshall, encouraging those who had set up to move their vehicles to the nearby pub car park. Last year a number (including school staff) did not and this led to a packed car park and some visitors turning for home without stopping. This year it seemed most answered our pleas and there were less cars left in the car park by the time the public started to drive in.
    The official opening was listed as 10.30, but the cold temperatures saw the ladies on the door take the decision to let some people in twenty minutes early. Fortunately all exhibitors had (just about) set up in time!
    Things seemed to go well. There was a good crowd throughout the morning and lots of positive comments about the show and the layouts. Quite a few people said some nice things about Skaleby West which was flattering.
    I did have one heart sink moment when one of the girls from the door approached me at 10.35am stating that she had had the "first complaint". I held my breath and waited for the onslaught. Thankfully it was a gentleman who won a raffle prize last year and had never received it. In the hectic year of house moves it had slipped my mind, but fortunately I had the prize put to one side in case he turned up and was able to hand it over straight away. And that was it! The only negative comment all day. Lots of seemingly happy punters amongst a big crowd during the morning. Loads of nice comments from people as they went out! They did seem to be impressed with our collection of layouts and once again the battle for the "Best in Show" prize was hard fought. One of RMWeb's own "Up the Line" was the winner, and deservedly so.
    The crowd thinned out spectacularly at lunch time and the afternoon had only a brief revival. On the face of it we thought attendance must have been down, but on closer inspection it can't have been. Unlike last year we ran out of show guides. We also matched our takings on the door and raffle. Once we added the profit from the kitchen we had pretty much matched last year's total - making just under £1000 profit!
    The new head teacher was extremely happy and by the afternoon was taking down details of people who stated they would like to exhibit next year! Yes - next year! I had hedged my bets about 2015. Would our new boss want us to continue? The answer is an absolute yes. The date has been set for Saturday 14th November. And so I am starting all over again! Some layout owners have already agreed to return with some of their other layouts - but I need more. So here is the challenge!!
     
    This year there were SEVEN representatives from this website. A special thanks to the owners of Wheelock Mill, Werrington Road, Muckton Bottom, Thomas, Foster Street and Up the Line which joined my own Skaleby West. My classroom was a total RMWeb zone. And so the question is - can we do it again? Is there anybody out there who would like to try and help us top the seven RMWeb layout total from this year? Come on we can do it!!
     
    Finally I would like to thank all of the exhibitors, traders and visitors for making our show such a success. Of course the school staff deserve a real pat on the back and they will get their thanks and reward tomorrow.
     
    Until next time....
  25. andyram

    The Night Before!

    By andyram,

    Well what a weird day! After a monumental effort from the staff during the afternoon the majority of the school is ready to receive their exhibits. It was a weird feeling setting up a model railway exhibition whilst dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown as part of a Children in Need fundraiser. Such is the varied life of a teacher! At least the fundraising film club in the afternoon allowed me some free time for setting up.
    The hall is ready, although we have had to reduce the tables for the refreshments to fit everything in. The hall must have shrunk!! A slight layout location ammendment was needed as well, but hopefully all will be well. To balance out the reduced tables we have added plenty of chairs in the corridors to give people places to sit.
     
    At present two layouts are partially set up, the show guides are printed and ready and the lunch passes are ready to be handed out. We have even remembered to put up signs for the toilets this year! Just the road signs to do. The Mickleover group are kindly lending us some of their signs for this year so hopefully they will be easier to see!
     
    And so, after a year of planning it is almost here! It has flown by. Once again the nerves are jangling. Have I got the plans right? Will everything fit in? Will all the exhibitors turn up? Will enough people come through the door?
     
    Only time will tell.
     
    If you are coming to the show I hope you enjoy it. Please remember, this is only our second show. We will probably still make mistakes. Please be patient with us. If you have any suggestions please tell us. The new road signs and pricing arrangements are based on feedback we received last year. If you enjoy the show please share your comments too. The positive verbal and written feedback we received last year was the reason this year's show went ahead!
    Also don't forget to come and say hi. I will be operating Skaleby West all day.
     
    As far as the layout is concerned it should be exhibited as a through station although the second fiddle yard is very rough. The loco roster will be finalised tonight (after a meal in the pub with my wife)
     
    Hope to see you there.
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