Phil Copleston

Thanks for those excellent photos Phil, really captured the atmosphere of the day.

 

Couldn't agree more!

Cheers, Dave.

 

PS  And thanks for the photos of the team enjoying their "post speculum jars" as well..

Dave,

Thanks for your kind comments. Tho' I shudder to think of the medical application of your "post speculum jar". Yikes!   

I'll stick to celebrating with a safer 'post-spectaculum' jar or two! 

And finally... here we are 'relaxing' in the pub afterwards - 'The Organ Inn' in the High Street, Warminster, - enjoying a few 'post-spectaculum' jars... 

Cheers!   

Here we are... I finally got around to uploading my Warminster show pictutes. There are some thirty photos which follow that I took to commemorate the day - specifically of people, the atmosphere, the cakes and the heaving crowds! (I have named the people I happen to know.)

First, some general shots over the main hall - mainly layouts and traders:

Andy Cundick operates his Irish ‘Valencia Harbour’ layout (4mm scale, 21mm gauge) as Noel Adams (far left) looks on.

Now some views of the crowded 'stage' area - which included layouts and demos:

4mm P4 ‘Horselunges’ layout on the left, with Iain Rice and Simon Castens on the right talking to visitors about Cameo Layouts and Gauge One modelling, respectively. This area got very packed, as can be seen, particularly in the morning.

Maggie (left) and Gordon Gravett (right, in front of sign) talk to visitors as they preview their new 7mm scale ‘Arun Quay’ layout. As you can see, it was at times quite difficult to get a clear shot of any of the layouts!

Martyn Welch and Barry Norman (talking to Philip Hall) showing off 7mm and S7 modelling, Cheer up Barry!

John Holden (left) mans the S Scale MRS demo stand, while Tony Hall operates his 16mm narrow gauge mini-layout/scenery demo.

Tom Everitt ('TomE', centre) operate's John Greenwood's 2mm finescale 'St Blazey Roundhouse' diorama layout while chatting to visitors.

Paula Martin and Mark Fielder (2mmMark) on the 2mm Scale Association's stand. 

And now... those famous home-made cakes! And views of folks in the rest areas:

Steph Reynolds (right, Kim Clifford’s daughter) and Emma Harman (centre) help visitors to the spread of delicious homemade cakes.

Kim Clifford ('Mrs Queensquare', left) heads the catering team's preparations in the kitchen.

The exhibition's organiser, Jerry Clifford ('queensquare', right), is 'in the pink', as it were, while chatting to a visitor: Despite Jerry's pre-show anxieties, the day was going rather well!  

Gerry Beale (sometime MRJ editor and author) sitting on left, Mike Raithby (Manchester MRS, and erstwhile 2mm 'Chee Tor' layout) in light blue shirt holding cup, sitting left centre.

The always-busy 'Pre-Loved Sales' Bring & Buy stall and cash-desk area in the foyer next:

And back into the main hall...

John Birkett-Smith ('JohnBS') operates his superb N-gauge ‘Ashburton’ layout.

Adrian Ponting (right) operates his 009 layout ‘Aldbourne’ – a Lynton and Barnstable inspired terminus – as William Loyd talks to a visitor.

The Greenscenes stand.

And that's it! I hope you enjoyed this visual ramble round the exhibition focusing on people and the general atmosphere - particularly if you couldn't make the show. I heard some very complimentary comments about the exhibits and the show on the day.

Personally, I had a fantastic time - I enjoyed every minute of this memorable show. A veritable triumph for Jerry and the team! Now I can't wait for the next one in two years time...

I suspect what Jerry is getting at is that the Midland storage roads will act more like American-style "staging tracks" from which a set sequence of trains depart and arrive. Only once the operating sequence is completed will it be necessary to open up and access the tracks to reverse the trains for the next sequence to begin. This would suit Bath's Midland Railway end-to-end operation well. Quite different from British-style "fiddle yards" in which trains are dealt with individually. 

Wild horses (or winds) wouldn't keep me away, CK. See ya there,fellow curry-loving SWAGers!    

Another late addition, folks! 

On behalf of the SWAG organising team: Through a very kind extra donation from a SWAG member of £51.25 the total we raised at SWAG 2017 for Macmillan Nurses has now reached a magnificent £1,000 exactly. I think we can all be very happy with that result!

Incidentally, should you wish to donate online to Macmillan Nurses yourself, you can do this at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate Do it in your own name by choosing the second option "I would like to make a one-off donation" so you can claim Gift Aid, which raises your donation by 25p in the Pound, i.e. 25%. 

Lookin' forward to SWAG 2018 already....   

Jenny Agutter.

Not just nice but phwwaaar! 

It is great that so much was raised for charity. The focus needs to be on Modelling and good company with raising money for charity a nice by product

 

Don

Yes of course, Don. Our SWAG focus will always be on modelling and good company. Although raising money for charity while we do it seems like a win-win to me! (warm glow all round)   

Tremendous news, Phil and a privilege to be involved in such an event.

 

Looking forward to next year and the 'Wear a loud shirt for charity' competition.

 

Participants wear a little something and pay a shiny Queens pound to charity.

 

Rob.

Rob,

Thanks. And what a great idea! Though I suspect Neil (Black Rat) with his blinding shirts will win hands down every time...    

One of the problems I encounter on a number of Fund Raising scenarios is that the last, and normally high figure attained, becomes the bench mark, which if not reached, there's then the negative comments like ".... we didn't do as well as last year...." etc.,

There is an organsation in our Village which has just been low key bucket collects,Council donations etc., which has pulled in around £10k a year for approx., 40 years, we now have newbies in on the act for the last 3 - 4 years and anything less that £25k and it's a thumb screw event.

Those of us 'Oldies' who liked the 'community' spirit of the last 50 years, are not happy, but when retired(?) Bankers, Accountants etc., join, the focus changes - I just wish they knew how to change a light bulb - Latest idea, hire a theatre in PZ and have an Auction of donated Art work, where the group receive 15% of the takings, as some of the ( 100+) paintings etc., are estimated at £ 8 - 10k, you can see they have moved on from shaking a bucket.

Sorry about that moan, but rising bench marks are not my scene, what will be, is what it is.

 

T'were only a comment made in jest! Just being positive about what we achieved, rather than setting a new "bench mark". We'll just have to see what happens next year...

Well done to 'One & All', and I think the £950 raised (as good as) for the MacMillan Nurses is terrific from a bunch of modellers on a quiet one day event.   In total, because of Andy agreeing to Gift Aid it, = £1,140.oo

 

I'm a Poppy Appeal Officer for a Village in West Cornwall, we would be over the moon to raise that amount in a week, so I appreciate just how great (£'s) the funds raised are.

 

Sandy Croall, Mousehole RBL Poppy Appeal Officer.

Thank you, Sandy! Yes, I think we did rather well for a low-key, one-day event. Although actually, the £948.75 donated included the 25% Gift Aid. (see post #317 for breakdown) Next year perhaps we ought to aim for a thousand smackers for a good cause. 

Goodness me, £948.75, that is truly remarkable.

 

Thank you for that update Phil.

 

Well done everyone.

 

andy

Thanks Andy. With any luck, we might make it a thousand next year!  

Oh, and can we drop all this nonsense about moving elsewhere. The clue is in the name, it's a SWAG do, all invited. The venue and location are perfect.

 

Jerry and Kim

Hear, hear! 

I for one thought that the Good Captain's Bring & Buy Stall was a brilliant idea (note to self, bring more pennies next year )

 

Mr Copleston did a very good job running it, along with the lady (sorry, i forgotten her name)

Thank you so much. Nice to know the Bring & Buy was appreciated.

I'll tell you, it took a lot more behind-the-scenes oranising than you might expect! What with forms, signs, stewards badges and bringing display tables from home, etc. But it was well worth it, I think. By the end of the day we seemed to have shifted quite a lot of stuff from some peoples gloat boxes into others' boxes and shelves... Still, it makes people happy, doesn't it! And commission on sales certainly helped swell our collective contribution to the Macmillan Nurses charity. (More on that score from Andy Y later, no doubt.)

The good lady in question was none other than Kim Clifford ("Mrs Queensquare")! Kim was brilliant on the day helping me organise the stuff on the tables, taking the money and record keeping - it all has to be above board and accountable, y'know. Anyway, my grateful thanks to Kim.

We hope to do it all again next year for SWAG 2018, if you'll have us back with 'The Good Captain's Bring & Buy' stall? 

Which reminds me...

The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall

I need a couple of willing 'volunteers' to help me out on Sunday taking turns on the B&B stall for an hour or so each, logging in goods, taking monies, keeping records (ticking off items on the lists) and generally whipping the unruly hoards into order. There will be 'official' B&B badges to wear too! (possibly a free cuppa, as well)     

PM me off list if you can help. Ta!

Who's this 'good Captain', then?

 

Really folks, I'm flattered, of course, but (and I've had words with Mr Copleston about this), this doesn't actually mean that I'll be 'minding the shop' here!

 

I might have one or two items to dispose of, though, possibly including a spare copy of 'The History of the Horrocksford Borough Council Janitors and Parks Department'. Anyone interested?

Well, m'good Capt'n... By way of thanking you for all your years of dedicated effort in organising this annual event, I reckon this is SWAG's equivalent to a memorial park bench! We will all remember you every time monies change hands (grasping b*st*ards, that we are).    

Of course, should you wish to 'volunteer' on the day as an 'Official Steward' on the Bring & Buy, then that might liven things up even further! A bit like looking round and finding the memorialised person sitting at the other end of the park bench... 

Sadly however, they did not make it as far as the end of the war. Unless you count the Boer war.

 

EDIT: seriously though, there were only ten and they only lasted 7 years. Even the BR Standards were not that short-lived.

 

I'm probably not going to look at stuff that didn't make it to 1945. Although I might be persuaded to make an exception for a County tank. Now there is a beautiful engine.

T'was only in jest. T'would be nice, tho' 

An Aberdare! A Kruger could be on the horizon . . .

 

David

Aberdares are all very well and characterful engines. But now, a Kruger complete with saddle sandbox 'n all? Ahhh, now you're talking! And in 2-6-0 and 4-6-0 versions too, please. Yup, beauty is truly in the eye of this beholder. 

And a gentle reminder from me... announcing (again):

The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall

(as it is now called) 

Turn your old modelling and railway stuff into cash, or pick up a bargain on the infamous SWAGONIAN second-hand sales stall!

Yes, we all like a good rummage and a bargain. So the more the merrier - please bring along your unwanted modelling kits and bits, tools, books, materials and even finished models (but no rubbish or magazines, please). Make money - then err, spend it again. Our ever-helpful badge-wearing 'Official Stewards' will be on hand to take your hard-earned cash!

And remember, it's all in a good cause - 10% of monies raised will go to our designated charity, the rest to the seller.

Please download, print out and fill in the form below (instructions on the reverse):

(NB. this is a slightly revised version of the previous form)

RMweb SWAG Taunton Meeting, 30 Apr 2017 - 'The Good Captain’s BRING & BUY stall' Form.pdf

Copies of the form and spare labels will also be available on the day. 

See you all on Sunday, 30th April for a cracking day out ~ at 

Staplegrove Village Hall, 214, Staplegrove Road, Taunton, TA2 6AL

Full details and line-up in post #1 here: 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/120694-swag-2017-lineup-details-catering-all-you-need-to-know/ 

According to the catalogue, Beaver products are scaled at 1:150. I've got the kits, so I'll open a box and take the measurements. Won't be 'till after the weekend, as I'm away.

 

Also, I've written to ABS models. If they're still running, I'll let you know.

Mark,

You are correct, well at least some of the kits were to 1:150 scale. This is a list of the Beaver/ABS 'N-gauge' locos:

BR Class 04 Drewry Diesel shunting loco (fit to MINITRIX 0-6-0T LMS Dock Tank chassis)

BR Class 03 Standard Diesel shunting loco (fit to MINITRIX 0-6-0T LMS dock Tank chassis)

GWR "1366" 0-6-0 Pannier Tank (fit to MINITRIX LMS 0-6-0T chassis)

LNER "J63" 0-6-0 Tank Loco (fit to MINITRIX LMS 0-6-0T chassis)

GWR "56XX" 0-6-2 Side Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis)

LNER "J52" 0-6-0 Saddle Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis)  

LMS ex HR 0-6-4 Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis)   

LMS "Flatiron" ex MR 0-6-4 Tank (fit to GRAFAR 0-6-0PT chassis)

The kits listed to fit the Minitrix chassis were to 1:150 scale, but in one or two distinct areas were 'stretched' in the long dimension to accommodate the commercial chassis. If you place the models against a 2mm drawing it immediately becomes apparent where this has been done. It is then a simple process to chop out the offending section. For instance, the lengthened section in the GWR "1366" tank is about 2mm forward of the cab opening, between there and the front spectacle sheet. Width-wise it is spot-on for 2mm scale.

John Greenwood did this with his "1366": He cut out the forward section of the cab and mounted the body on a scratchbuilt 2mm chassis. Result, a very attractive and useful and true-to-scale 2mm loco. I have the LNER "J63" and have done the same, except the extra metal was in the stretched height of the cab sides to accommodate the huge Minitrix motor. A replacement cab top resolved that issue. Width-wise it is exactly 2mm scale.

As for the Grafar chassis models, I'm not so sure. I've seen the HR 0-6-4T and MR Flatiron on 2mm finescale chassis and they look very acceptable as true 2mm scale models. But whether any parts were "chopped out" before assembly to bring them into scale, I don't know. Perhaps someone can comment on these two kits?

I also have an LNER "J52" and it is both too wide and too long for exact 2mm scale, but can be cut-down to look closer to scale. The saddle tank and cab are too wide. Nice boiler castings though, so probably worth the effort.

As for the GWR "56xx", I've not examined one close-up, so can't offer a first-hand opinion - but I suspect the castings have been streched to fit the Grafar chassis in the same way as the "J52". Again, perhaps someone else has experience with this kit?

As with all things like this, it is well worth laying the parts against a 2mm scale drawing for comparison where any streched areas of the kit becomes immediately apparent and you will then know what to do. Your local photocopier is for this purpose! 

You are Eric Olthwaite and I claim my £5.

I thought it was "You are Lobby Lud and I claim my five pounds". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobby_Lud

But more fittingly in this instance, perhaps it ought to be "You are Mrs Queenssquare and I claim my go with the controller"! 

Thank you Stu - Chris has already checked with me to bring certain of my pre-orders along (don't get excited folks, they are not D6XX - alas).  But a good reminder for everybody as Chris, and no doubt Dave, are very good at meshing pre-orders with personal handover at SWAG.  A great shame that 'Not Jeremy' won't be with us this year.

 

Edit to correct trypo

Ermm... maybe I missed it, but why is 'Not Jeremy' not going to be with us this year? (if that's not a double negative question)

Hello fellow RMwebers,

Roll up, roll up - announcing the SWAG 'BRING & BUY' STAND will be at the forthcoming RMweb SWAG Taunton meeting, Sunday, 30th April 2017.

Turn all your unwanted goodies into dosh (so you can spend it on other stuff!). 10% of all sales will go to our supported charity. There will be at least a 3m long table at the venue - so plenty of room to display and sell all that stuff lurking at the bottom of your gloat boxes, or tools, modelling equipment, or part-built or finished models. Please bring along whatever you can.

And to prospective purchasers - here's your chance to rummage and pick up a bargain! 

Attached is the Bring & Buy form (as a pdf) for you to download, print off and complete if you have things to sell. If you need more forms on the day, I shall have spare copies and additional labels just in case. Please read the instructions on the back of the form.

See you on the day!

RMweb SWAG Taunton Meeting, 30 Apr 2017 - Bring & Buy Form.pdf