Since I haven't seen any posts yet on the forum I thought I might put in mine. I arrived home Sunday night after a very pleasant weekend (discounting the tiring hours on the road, but they were worth the effort!) taking part in the Sussex Downs group members day at Lancing. Thanks to the organisers, and in particular Martin who invited me last year, and Simon and Heather Wilson who took me in and made me feel very much at home. It was great fun to see you all - many old friends and some new ones even if couldn't put a name to some of the faces - apologies all round.
I'm afraid Christopher Payne was right again - I had another gale on returning from Dover to Calais. Neptune, that old piece of bad news, must have been holding his sides laughing as he stirred up the waves to vex me. I had secured a window seat on the ferry, watching 12 foot rollers advance on me as I sat with coffee and sandwiches with the ship shuddering under the onslaught. It was a majestic sight. On the way home the car was battered by the gusts, especially after I passed Antwerp when an active cold front passed over me, heavy showers and the wind whipping through 90 degrees.
Before I forget, Michael Campbell posted an interesting selection of photos here (https://picasaweb.google.com/101578051347693595075/SussexDowns009GroupMembersDay2015Lancing?feat=directlink). I have seen a few photos by Mick on the other forum, but he needs more time to complete his album. Anyway here is my report.
After sleeping it off only partially - regrettably I had a phone call at 8:30 yesterday morning so I sat bleary-eyed at coffee - I decided to have a go at processing the video and photos. It took me most of yesterday but it's done so I can turn to other things now.
My video was uploaded on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgetbMkDBSo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgetbMkDBSo)
Next, I have a number of video stills and a few photos taken during the show. I regret I missed Rob K working on his Bowaters layout, so that isn't in the album. I started the rounds with Didlow Down by Nick Pidgley, who was at a table next to me. This is a narrow 009 layout with a hand-operated turntable at the end.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fvlcsnap-00006.jpg&hash=a74d8be119e1cc230adf8aad0b5be062d2189d05)
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The 009 Society showcase featured a number of models taken along by several modellers. Simon Wilson had brought a few models he uses on his Southwold inspired layout (http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2008/album/2008expong/images/42tPA256280.jpg) which I saw at Expong in 2008.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fvlcsnap-00022.jpg&hash=fbb2acfaf6107edaab126fb1294a3900d036bf78)
Tony Peart had brought a freelance 0-6-2 tender engine in Southern livery. A murky photo of a very nice model:
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fvlcsnap-00024.jpg&hash=27b6a6d45ac57bbd3c03754cb19236099bc21be9)
Then there was Rheidol by Tim Sanderson:
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I had brought a number of models including Atlantic, displayed with my saloon coach no. 108, which runs on P.D.Hancock's Kemtron bogies, and the CMR wagon that was given to me.
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Finally, Martin Collins had put several models built for Llandecwyn in the showcase. Personally I find this one the most intriguing:
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Phil Savage was exhibiting Ghum, and since I had brought my old Darjeeling B class, I asked him if he would like to have it on his layout. We even ran it up and down the main line, which is a very involved affair. Ghum is a most interesting idea, and the B class ran over it as if it belonged - apart from one or two places where the lineside had been made slightly too tight. Here is a photo of the proceedings, Note the effectively modelled tea plantation:
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Next was Mark Holland's 'Spirit of Welshpool', a large layout which includes many detail features of the Welshpool end of the W&L. This scene will probably ring a bell with most of you:
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fvlcsnap-00071.jpg&hash=79c5c0c6df023ff6f21e06eac5b5368b7c99200a)
The best layout in an operational sense was Felsham Lane by Greg Dodsworth, in 7mm. The shunting was very smooth, and the scenery simple and effective. It was a pleasure to see the unhurried shunting and almost trouble-free operation.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fvlcsnap-00087.jpg&hash=f1966eb25933e2ad92e3a7d22bc386f42a9cfe7f)
Jon Reeves brought a small display layout which featured several interesting models, although I didn't see it in operation. Here is a photo of one of his 3D printed Fairlies standing outside the shed, prior to painting and finishing.
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I thought Morton Stanley by Chris Ford (another 7mm layout) had the nicest scenery. The colours and texture - a hallmark of all Chris's layouts - are very natural. Here is one of the video stills I made.
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Bottle Kiln Lane by John Thorne is well known. I had another good look at this small layout. It is packed with detail, but what impresses me most is the trees. The tracks wind through a wooded area that looks very effective.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fvlcsnap-00138.jpg&hash=547fbd3be9af1f73b2fa99f69ed441ce8df0d49c)
Finally, here is Nixnie, which was operated for some time by Tom Dauben, so I could get away and use the camera.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fznix-00100.jpg&hash=76adae9f603db3f5c77f9e3dd960e943f54cf297)
Nixnie also hosted the new locomotive being produced by Stuart Brewer. This is a Peckett saddle tank with a nicely engineered chassis. The camera wielding paparazzi soon caught the scent!
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.009dutch.nl%2Farchive%2F2015%2Fgallery75%2Fimages%2Fznix-IMG_9716.jpg&hash=03d62c22ee55eceea3688779768f03a07b674a0d)
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This then concludes my report of the Sussex Downs Members Day. More photos can be found here:
http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2015/gallery75/index.htm (http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2015/gallery75/index.htm)
Have fun!
A great photographic record of a very pleasant day in rainy Sussex and it was very much appreciated by all who attended that you went to so much trouble to bring Nixnie over this side of the channel to give everyone the opportunity of a first real life sighting of this splendid little layout.
I overheard several people remarking that it was great to see the layout in the flesh after becoming so familiar with it through your illustrated online construction postings a couple of years ago.
Stuart Brewer's Peckett 0-4-0ST is going to be a real winner. It is a model of the very popular and much admired locomotive "Gamecock" which worked in Cranmore Quarries, near Shepton Mallet.
Thanks, Mick - it was great fun being there.
Regarding Stuart's Peckett, this is what it looks like before building. A complete chassis is in the background:
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The chassis has a layshaft driven through a belt. It has worm drives to each pair of wheels so it doesn't rely on rod coupling. The model ws very smooth as can be seen in the video, around 13 minutes 30 seconds.
At some stage I set up a double header with the Peckett piloting the late Reinier Hendriksen's Bagnall, which was built using a Saltford Models chassis. There are 20 years between the two, showing the development made in 009 chassis over the years. I believe Simon Hargraves took another photo.
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Thank you Ted. I must applaude the dubbing of the loco climbing round the Batasia loop to Ghum! ;)
Thanks, Tim. I thought it would be appropriate to add exhaust sound - however, it wasn't possible to match the exhaust 100% since the loco runs at variable speed.
Despite that, I hope it makes a nice diversion!
Quote from: tedp on March 31, 2015, 06:23
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Ah! A still life (or should that be "still, life")
:)
Well there was one person just hanging around whilst the 4 hard working photographers got on with it, as shown in the photo. Don't know who he is, he seems to turn up at a lot of the members days and hang around................................
Mick
I suppose he is the most relaxed of the lot! ;D
I am pleased to be able to report that I have now uploaded my photo report of this excellent event on my blogsite and within a week of the event taking place which is almost a record for me!
Photo album can be seen at: http://micksrovingreporter.blogspot.com/
Mick
Many thanks Mick!
As always, excellent photos and informative captions. Inspiration and enjoyment for those of us not able to get to the show.
Very much appreciated.
Frank
Quote from: MickT on April 04, 2015, 19:39
I am pleased to be able to report that I have now uploaded my photo report of this excellent event on my blogsite and within a week of the event taking place which is almost a record for me!
Photo album can be seen at: http://micksrovingreporter.blogspot.com/
Mick
Excellent photos, Mick - you always seem to catch the angles I miss!