Leander

Unfortunately we’ve heard that John James will not be able to demonstrate as a result of a family bereavement, and Model Railway Developments (Hubert Carr) are also not attending. Otherwise, all the layouts are in set up ready for the show, and most of the rest of the stands are in place, or expected to arrive in the morning. We’ll be ready to welcome you at 10.00am. And there’s a Beer Festival this weekend at the pub nearest to the school ( The Star). We’re looking forward to a good weekend!

We had the Crocodile Sisters booked but they then withdrew citing staffing issues (who in catering hasn't got them at the moment?). I rang around numerous caterers in the Wakefield area and many told a similar story. In the end we've booked 'Hidden Gem' to do the exhibitors' catering but we haven't got anyone to provide meals for the public unfortunately. We very much regret this. We can offer a limited drinks service of teas, coffees and orange squash, on the back of the exhibitors' refreshments. I realise we'll come in for some criticism on here. and elsewhere, but we've had to make the best of a bad job. I further realise that we'll get complaints from visitors. Exhibitors can't leave the premises while the show is on. Members of the public are free to come and go (and re-enter) as they wish. There are a number of catering establishments nearby and the large Asda superstore has a cafe and does 'meal deals'. The free Exhibition Guide contains details of these establishments. Of course, you are also free to bring your own lunch.

Unfortunately we haven't received any photos of the Chairman's Cup entrant 'Swannish', so 'The Depots - Rosedale East' built by Paul Gallon is our final preview layout.

Andy Cooper's 'North Ballachulish' today, featuring his much modified NBR Class 21 and Mike Raithby's superlative backscene. Photographs courtesy of Karl Crowther / Railway Modeller.

Rod Hall and members of Newport MRS are exhibiting 'Llanastr', in S4. This 'micro' Brecon & Merthyr layout was featured in MRJ issue number 4 in 1985.

In a week's time expoEM Summer should be in full swing, for today, we have David Burnett's EM layout depicting operations in the Gloucester area.

Today's photos are of Martin Nield's L&YR P4 layout 'Eccleston'. The L&Y Railway Society will also be appearing, located next to Martin's layout.

Here's Dai Davies's 'Culm', also EM.

Another view of Dr Peter Fletcher's EM layout, 'Crioch'.

Crioch (EM) depicts the Highland Railway loco shed at Tain. The period represented is circa 1920.

Bawdsey (EM gauge) was built by the late Chris Matthewman in 1998/99 and exhibited between 2000 and 2007 under the name of Strove. It portrayed an imaginary terminus in the 1930's in L.N.E.R. days. Now, after a couple of changes of ownership, it is exhibited by Alan Rollins and Chris Wright, and the geography now pins its location to Suffolk in the steam/diesel transition era late1950s East Anglia.

It's about time we started previewing the layouts that are attending expo Summer. To start with is the guest layout, Mick Simpson's 'Cameo Callaton' in 2FS.

Regular operating sessions are ongoing, usually one or two per month, to the winter 1962/63 WTT. I'll be seeing TheLaird (John E) on Thursday so I'll draw his attention to your post.

Sandra, Tony Sheffield's Rail On-line photo site has a couple of B&W photos of 11164 in 1957, taken at Darnall. Early crest but I'd wager they show a green loco. https://www.rail-online.co.uk/p580086503/h16069339#h16069339 https://www.rail-online.co.uk/p580086503/h16069339#h901caa5

Two weekends away, and we're pleased to announce an additional trader to expoEM Summer 2022, Pre-Grouping Railways. Post #1 has been duly amended.

John Gibb used to attend model railway shows as a trader. He portrayed railway and non-railway subjects, we have one of each, often with a Cumbrian/North Lancashire connection, where as you wrote, he lived at the time. However, his pre-grouping depiction of Manchester Victoria has to be seen to be believed.

A Showcase of the Best in 4mm Railway Modelling The flagship event of the EM Gauge Society in the north of England is back for 2022 and will take place over the weekend of August 20th/21st at Kettlethorpe High School, the venue we first used in 2019. On display will be at least ten finescale layouts representing the best in 4mm scale modelling. As usual there will be plenty of opportunity to stock up on modelling supplies with a good range of specialist traders in attendance. In addition, there will be a variety of ‘Show you how’ demonstrations and other special interest society stands. There will also be the EM and P4 test track, the EMGS Trade Officer will be in attendance selling, amongst other things, the Society’s range of EM track and points; in addition, the ever popular members’ sales stand will be selling second hand models, kits and bits. We are basing much of the expoEM content in the new Activity Studio, plus parts of the former Gym and Main Hall, which we used in 2019. See below for more details regarding parking and the main expo entrance. Venue: Opening times: Kettlethorpe High School Saturday 20th August: 10.00am to 5.00pm Standbridge Lane Sunday 21st August: 10.00am to 4.00pm Sandal Wakefield, WF2 7EL Admission Prices (valid for both days): 2-Day visitor ticket £10.00 EMGS Members £8.00 Layouts: Bawdsey (EM) – BR(E) Essex, Late 1950s/early 1960s - Alan Rollins and Chris Wright Crioch (EM) - Highland Railway, 1902-1922 - Dr Peter Fletcher Culm (EM) – GWR/BR, late 1940s, Devon – Dai Davies Eccleston (S4) – L&YR, c.1910, West Lancashire - Martin Nield Great Swilling (EM) – BR(W), 1950s, Gloucestershire - David Burnett Llanastr (S4) - Brecon & Merthyr Railway, 1914, South Wales – Rod Hall & members of Newport MRS North Ballachulish (EM) – BR(ScR) 1970/71, west of Scotland - Andy Cooper The Depots - Rosedale East (EM) – NER, early c20, North Yorkshire Moors - Paul & Nicola Gallon The EMGS Test Track – with test facilities for OO, EM and P4 locos and stock Chairman’s Challenge competition entrant Swanish – Freelance but loosely based on Swanage - Ian Sandell Guest Layout Cameo Callaton (2FS) – BR(E) - 1980s based just north of Newcastle upon Tyne – Mick Simpson Trade Support: 247 Developments Alan Gibson Bill Hudson Transport Books Brassmasters C&L Finescale CM3Models EBMA Hobby & Craft EMGS Stores High Level Kits Hobby Holidays London Road Models Model Railway Developments Nick Tozer Railway Books Pre-Grouping Railways Stoneybridge Structures Demonstrations: John Brighton - RTR loco conversion to EM or P4 Richard Brighton - Simplifying Layout Wiring Karl Crowther – Signalling for the Kentside branch Tony Gee - EM the Manchester Way (featuring some of Sid Stubbs’ Rolling Stock). Vernon Harrod - Kit and Scratch-Built Coaches and Other Rolling Stock Pete Hill - RTR Loco Conversions and Loco Scratchbuilding John James - Split-axle and split-frame loco chassis construction Tony Sullivan - Trackbuilding Pete Sutherland - Great Western Coach Building Special Interest / Line Societies: Cumbrian Railway Association Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Society North Eastern Railway Association Great Central Railway Society Great Northern Railway Society Signalling Record Society N.B. All exhibits subject to final confirmation Getting there: Public Transport If coming from Central Wakefield take service 106 Wakefield - Hall Green from Wakefield Bus Station Stand 11. Services run half hourly departing at xx.25 and xx.55 hours. Alight at the High School. Return journeys depart at xx.11 and xx.41 hours. There is also an hourly service by the 107 Wakefield – Kettlethorpe from Wakefield Bus Station Stand 17. Departures are at xx.50 hrs during the day. The buses stop within fifty yards of the school in Standbridge Road. Departures in the return direction are at twenty minutes past the hour. The nearest railway station is Sandal & Agbrigg (Northern Rail) followed by a short walk to Barnsley Road, then take the bus service 106 to Kettlethorpe High School. Failing that it’s about a 30 minute walk to the school. It would be wise to check with both Arriva for the buses and Northern Rail for the trains, as weekends often means route maintenance work resulting in reduced or diverted services. Travel by car Satnav: WF2 7EL. The venue is with easy reach of the M1 (Junction 39). Follow the A636 towards Wakefield for about ¾ of a mile then turn right into Asdale Road, A6186. At the roundabout by the entrance to Asda’s carpark turn right into Standbridge Road. From Wakefield follow the A636 signposted to the M1 and on reaching the A6186 turn left and follow the directions above. Hopefully, there will be adequate parking on the sports centre site, which is on the right hand side of, opposite the school. Cross Standbridge Lane by means of the traffic light controlled crossing and enter the school through the pedestrian gate. The entrance to expoEM will be on your left. If parking here is not available, just a few yards further along Standbridge Lane turn left into Kettlethorpe Hall Drive and you will have reached the school entrance on the left. The entrance to expoEM is on your left as you go along the drive. There is also on-street parking locally, but we would ask that you respect driveways to private houses if parking there. Disabled Access should not pose problems as there are no stairs to negotiate. Assistance, if required, is available upon request at the entrance to expoEM. Contact: Email: exponorth@emgs.org Website: www.emgs.org EMGcsflyer2022SUMMER (8).pdf

You may well have a further oppounity to do so at expoEM Summer to be held in Wakefield in August when all being well T-B-G will reprise his demonstration.

There will be stewards and Marshalls out to direct traffic. The main car park entrance is closed from 8.45 ish. If coming from the town centre, take the third exit at the roundabout, past the usual exit and take the next entrance on the right ( near the athletics stadium). You should be directed past the hall to the car park. If coming from the M3, take the first exit at the roundabout, then as above. We anticipate normality being restored by about 2.00pm.

Thanks for the information about the Manchester EM standards Tony and that ever so subtle reminder! The OP has been amended giving details of all the demonstrations that should be at Bracknell this coming weekend.

It might even be built from a Craftsman kit. This is my Midland 3F tank in EM, originally built by the late Barrie Stevenson, and more recently given a new chassis based on Brassmasters Easichas parts by John Brighton. Sorry Tony, it has DCC sound fitted to it, previously an ESU chip with South West Digital sound. It has a Zimo decoder now, with Youchoos sound. I'll have it with me at expoEM spring this coming weekend if anyone wants to see it 'in the flesh' as it were. It's modelled on a condensing fitted loco which was subsequently 'decondensed', hence no pipes are fitted but the pipe emerging from the tank tops remain. It's seen here at Leeds City North, courtesy of John Elliott.

Thanks to Mr Fishwick (DLI on here), the sun is starting to shine again. All will be revealed on post #1.

John Chivers has contacted us to say that unfortunately he will be unable to attend expoEM Spring next weekend with 'Shwt'. Post#1 has been amended accordingly. To quote expoEM Spring manager Tony Sullivan, " It never rains but it pours".