Chris Knight

Good afternoon Tony, As a member of the group with responsibility for "The Great Marquess" when it came to grief you will understand how immensely pleased to see her running again on LB looking in first class order - the sight has really made my day, and I will pass on the good news to the other culprits. I know it was a good few years ago Tony, but it was actually at Wolverhampton when breaking down and packing away after we had been giving her a run on 'Kensal Green' which made a nice change for us instead of all that copper engined stuff. Regards to yourself and Mo, who knows these days when our paths will cross again ! Chris K

Steve and Martin have re-opened Model Railway Solutions (shop and baseboard production) at Poole from last Monday 15th June, albeit with reduced opening hours of 10am to 4pm Mon to Fri. and 9.30 to 12 Saturday. Fortunately 2 doors allows for safe progress through the shop for customers via a one way system, please contact via their website for further details and stock availability. Chris Knight

Continuing the children's theme I hope layout operators follow Sam Porters request to include a Christmas related feature for the youngsters quiz. Dave installed our's this week, despite much pleading from the rest of the crew he opted not to include a miniature Roger S in his Santa suit. Dave's excuse blamed an insufficient stock of plastic granules at Modelu.

Interesting that Brian Mc.D mentions Stan Cherrett, a real character whom I met when I joined the Wessex Railfans Club sometime around 1955/6. Stan was a BR guard at that time and lived close to Bournemouth Central in the Springbourne area. I remember many trips he organised, the first I went on was to Swindon Works and shed and I well recall him joshing me over my penchant for all things GWR. One trip was a weekend in the North West (via a Blackpool illuminations special) when we seemed to visit every shed in Lancashire as well as Gorton Works. He had a great way of keeping us oiks in some sort of order and was really a top bloke in every way.

I submit this post somewhat tentatively as I agree with Tony's thoughts that we have been here many times before. As a committed analogue man for more years than I care to remember I had to compromise when Graham Taverner converted his WR shed layout Kensal Green to DCC a few years ago and it was either ' learn or leave'. I must admit that I,somewhat grudgingly, had to agree that on an MPD type scenario the benefits of bypassing numerous switched sections were considerable. I insisted however that our mainline 'Horfield' remain analogue at 'my' end when the layout was upgraded(?) to DCC. My rather ambivalent attitude continues although now as part of the Bournemouth West team primarily used as the station pilot operator where the need for regular coupling/uncoupling reliably is paramount (using the excellent precimodels system) I am seeing its benefits whilst still getting frustrated with occasional glitches. I would suggest though to anybody wishing to enjoy the latest developments digital control offers, just have a look at the B'm'th Belle departing West station as depicted on the BRM downloaded Dec. DVD. Pure magic,for me anyway.

Kindly leave my fundament out of this bossman - and don't forget Gods Wonderful Railway took over responsibility for the S & D in later years. To paraphrase Bob Dylan 'The times could be a changing' so watch this space GWR rules OK !

Tim, I couldn't give a tinker's cuss whether the loco and/or the coaches are wobbling a bit - just enjoying, the wonderful sight and sound of a "King* belting through towing a rake of chocolate and cream stock, makes a pleasant change from all those Gresley and Thompson creations normally inhabiting this site !! Sorry Tony - coudn't resist.

Thanks for posting your BW photos Paul - and yes I was concentrating on my station pilot stock shunting - NOT asleep as it may appear to some (or many). We look forward to bringing it to Wimborne next March.

Yes, good wishes from the B'm'th West team Paul,when you are feeling more like it give Steve or Roger a call and we will make sure you are able to view (and play) with the layout should you wish at MRS. Regards, Chris K

Thanks for posting those links Frank, you must show me how to do it when we next catch up !

Thanks for the kind comments from yourself and Phil when discussing B'm'th West on your preview piece Andy, it would appear to be the usual high standard we have come to expect when looking at the list of those invited. Thought it best to clarify that the exciting new synchronised sound/smoke effect featured will not be fitted to the whole loco stud performing - probably only 2 or 3 locos will be fitted as such - as you know the system is still on trial and under development with the " brainbox " involved. Roger is threatening to dust off his Santa suit, best to warn you all methinks.

A reminder of some dates when BW will be "on show". The Poole MRC event at Poole Grammar School is on Sunday 4th Nov., always a good exhibition 13 layouts are scheduled to attend plus trade support and demos,refreshments etc. The BRM National Festival of Railway Modelling follows on Dec. 8th/9th, to coincide with this major show the layout will be strongly featured in the Dec. issue of the magazine and associated free cover mounted DVD,which as well as video and further stills will show an interview with layout supremo Roger Sunderland. A show preview is now on the Exhibition Topics section of RM web (sorry, don't know how to set up a link) and footage features of an exciting new synchronised sound/smoke effect. For clarification we must stress this is still under development - only 2 or 3 locos so equipped are likely to perform at Poole and Peterborough. We look forward to meeting any followers or contributors to this thread at either (or both!) event

Yep, we will all be happy Paul - especially if our lot beat Mourinho's mob the day before!!

The SCRMD Group are looking forward to bringing B'm'th West for only its second public outing. Always a good show put on by the Poole MRC, personally pleased to see Earls Court again, a lovely rendition of London suburbia.

Good to see you have attracted the terrific Sidmouth layout Paul, modelling of the highest quality on show there. The B'm'th West team, which includes several of your members, are looking forward already to this always excellent event.

Fully support your comments regarding the influential Richard Gardiner , I well remember his Stokenchurch and Salcombe (?) exhibition layouts which were on the circuit some 30 odd years ago. A very approachable chap who was a member of the REC I believe. Thanks Tony for posting the (now retired) Horfield photos, which again were new to me.

Yes,although I must mention a family connection how refreshing to see a proper model railway shop expanding when the general trend appears to be the opposite.Steve, Martin,Jamie and Nick have worked hard to develop and extend their ranges and enlarge the premises during the summer - whilst managing the busy baseboard and helix, layout commission side of the business. Well worth seeking out for a visit for any modellers visiting the Bournemouth/Poole area.

Yes you're right Ian, probably a more suitable acronym as in common with most modellers we all have those "moments" - our long standing remedy is to pack up tools for the night and rapidly make tracks for the pub.

Thanks for those interesting photos of locos around shed showing varying lamp displays Tony, it does help considerably as we have plans to expand the running lines - currently utilised by ECS and suburban workings - to include showing the main line expresses passing that the engines leaving and arriving on shed have ( or will have ) headed. The alternative would be much fiddling in re-positioning lamps by adopting your method involving drilling and blu tak.

We have always been here Martin and undoubtedly always will ! I can recall Tony posting shots of WR locos visiting LB, I am sure they behaved impeccably to boot. One of the drawbacks of exhibiting our primarily MPD layout ( New Kensal Green) is the lamp issue as locos arrive/depart , other problems arise when considering coal or lack of, and loco crewing. Any readers with quick and easy answers please seek me out behind the layout at the Dorset Model Rail exhibition at Wimborne on March 17/18th. Excuse the quick plug, Tony.

Hi Stephen Yes Roger having a senior moment there (poor old fella hasn't been too well lately) - all UQ at the period the model is set 1954 -62. The short video highlights the requirement to motorise the signals as Roger mentioned,also the need to replace those backscenes !

The Horfield Group are taking our WR themed MPD layout " New Kensal Green " to this event, full details below. Looks a strong selection of layouts , many having featured in the model railway press. Excellent trade support as well. Where; Queen Elizabeth II School, Blandford Road, Wimborne,Dorset When; March 17/18. Sat 10 - 4.30 Sun 10 - 4 Price; Adults £6 Layouts; 0 gauge Rosedale Test Track Bassett Lowke Society EM gauge Morfa Mawr 00 F/S Bath Green Park New Kensal Green 00 Westwood Yard Kilve Oake Brankstone Sydney Gardens Hoopers Aggregates Parkstone Goods Marsh Jct. Wiveliscombe Mafeking Town Lower Trumping Wrenchester Brinley Green Forest Green, East Ilsley, Bishop Street Yard Elmsbridge I 'ad That (HD 3 rail) 00 and 009 Taras Yn Bogh 009 Island Farm N Newcastle by the Water Hookhills Viaduct Ins and Outs Bodmore Vale N'd of the Line Relstone Seawall Traders Ray Heard Model Railways Railroom Electronics BDMRC Wagons Aspire Gifts and Models Harveys Model Railways John Henderson Model Railways WM Collectables Keith's Bits and Pieces David Smith Books David Rees Vehicles John Roberts Models Ian Shave Models Andy Lynch Models Country Park Models Alan Ward Artist Powerbond Adhesives Peter Chastney Buildings Gartell Light Railway Platform 3 Models Brian James N Gauge Neil Grace N Gauge Frome Model Centre Russel Foster Models Neil Kirk Kato Chris Fordham Weathering and DCC Demonstrators; Jeff Rodway O Gauge loco builder Barry Sumption DCC sound demo Association Stands; Wessex Assoc. of Model Rail Clubs Large Scale Model Steam Traction Engines Should be something to suit all tastes there, methinks Chris Knight

Further to Roger's "to do" list we have decided to incorporate a historical theme by variations in motive power and stock from 1954 through to 1962, a theme we found worked successfully on the group's now retired Horfield layout. We believe it will add extra interest for the spectators with descriptive panels at the front of BW supplying information regarding the trains involved in each of the three eras. Another necessary task will be to replace the backscenes - in the rush to prepare for our debut at Swindon we hurriedly appropriated and adapted those from Horfield - we think they need to be a few inches higher as well as repainted. Hopefully a little bit of train action on video posted shortly

As previous contributors have said, Steffan was a thoroughly pleasant, quiet but very supportive of others efforts, sort of character . I first met him when viewing Aberhafren many years ago, and kept in touch through exhibiting over the years. "Maindee East" rightly deserves a place among the finest of layouts in many peoples opinion and is a wonderful tribute to a superb modeller. My sincere condolences to all Steffan's friends and family. RIP mate

Thanks for posting the shots taken at B'm'th Central Tony, they certainly rekindled memories although the picture of 35011 shown entering the station via the Holdenhurst Rd bridge (or tunnel ?) indicated that you would have been probably subjected to the odious stench emanating from the nearby fish dock. As for my preference for ex GW motive power rather than the local SR types, this was(is) purely aesthetical - and I agree with the old saying about beauty/eyes/ beholder etc... In my early spotting days I had no comprehension of the power or efficiency of varying loco classes but the first sight of that old "Hall" that I mentioned in my earlier ramblings definitely struck me, possibly initially because it was different from the usual parade of SR locos, who knows. When I started to seek more information and read about these engines which I so admired I discovered the history and ethos of the old GWR company which I firmly believe was very different from others,although I am probably guilty of the rose tinted glasses syndrome. Following on from the book recommendations from Tony, anybody seeking to confirm my feelings about the GWR and its WR successor i would suggest the series of books by locoman Harold Gasson and Adrian Vaughan's "Signalmans Morning". Wonderful nostalgic stuff.