Oldham Goup

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 11th May 2024. cont/d.

And on the test track:

Finally David H's T&D Hunslet No 4 ran on a section of Paul's developing layout Clogher.

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The next meeting will be in June on Zoom, date yet to be decided. Following that a meeting in July in Grasscroft (dta), a Zoom meeting in August and a meeting at Greenfield in September (prob 28th).


s.p.t. May 2024

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 11th May 2024. cont/d.

Prompted by the notes, here is the video of the Kato rocket car....

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham/NW groups meeting 19th June, 2024.

Nine group members attended the Zoom meeting: Alan, Bob, Darryl, David E., David H., Hugh, Ian, Tony and Paul T.

Apologies had been received from Paul M. (computer issues), Richard and Stuart.

Alan had commenced the construction of the Beyer Peacock 2-6-0ST, known as The Bruiser, which ran on the Ballymena and Larne Railway. The chassis is almost complete.
He also shared his experiences of riding on the 891mm gauge heritage line in Gotland ("Swedish 3' ").

Bob talked us through a number of projects he intends to complete for running on the St-Trojan station model.
His eye had been caught by the EC Accumulator Railcars that ran on several metre gauge lines in France during the late 1920's and 1930's.
Using a drawing in Voi Libre he has constructed a model of one that ran on one of the CdFd Charente routes.
The auto rail was built from plastic card and powered by a Tomytec chassis. Another very smartly completed model to add to the CdFd I'ile de Oléron fleet.

Darryl had moved out of storage a tram layout he'd not run for 6 years. Both the narrow gauge and standard gauge trams tried out ran well. The standard gauge line is out and back, whilst the narrow gauge is a loop with sharp curves at each end.

David E. had revisited a number of his diesel locos for a repaint in a shade of red. Most were 3D prints and one was a Kerr Stuart diesel loco.
He is working on an 009 layout at his local model railway club, set in WW1.

David H. had purchased from the sales stand a N gauge 2-6-2T, an LMS 4MT, a loco similar to those that pulled the spoil trains connected with the construction of the M1 near Belfast. He'd designed and printed the spoil wagons used – they will be suitable for 009 as well. David had also constructed a body of a narrow gauge style 4MT that fitted on top of the Farish body, not a far cry from the 3' loco adapted by the LMS to run on the Ballymena and Larne Railway.

Hugh had completed a census of people on Angst-Lesspork with a couple of aerial photos which were printed out and a head count made. When loco crew and coach passengers are totalled there are in excess of 200 people and others (characters?), plus horses. An impressive total.
He'd also going to add an additional 3 monks dressed in a similar way to Buddhist monks, adapted from Noch monks.

Tony had not had the opportunity to follow up on any of his modelling projects but was able to tell us about two very different train journeys. One was 'The Fellsman', hauled by Sir Nigel Gresley, from Crewe to Carlise via the Settle & Carlisle Railway. This was very much enjoyed and recommended. The other was a nightmare journey to Glasgow with Avanti West Coast involving 3 different trains between Warrington and Glasgow (fortunately the return journey was better).

Paul had two new photos of Clogher station (via Alan and courtesy of Charles Friel) and another in non-cropped format which were very helpful with further details on the station site. Certain assumptions made for the layout are now questionable and the cattle dock will need modifying to make it more accurate (or less inaccurate).
The car in one of the photos was a Vauxhall 14 (thank you Ian). [No one makes a model of this vehicle but the Wolseley Super 6 sat in a box may be an acceptable substitute.]
Photos showing progress with one of the layout boards were shown and the T&D tram loco No 4 had also made some progress – most additional wire work having been completed.


The next meeting will be in July in Grasscroft (prob 24th),
a Zoom meeting on August 14th (confirmed)
and a meeting at Greenfield in September (prob. 28th).


s.p.t. June 2024

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 24th July, 2024

Seven group members attended the meeting in Grasscroft on Wednesday 24th July – Alan G., David E., Hugh, John, Peter, Tony and Paul.

There were apologies from Alan S., Bob, Charlie, David H. and Philip.

Alan G showed us the chassis he is building for the Beyer Peacock 2-6-0ST 'The Bruiser' that ran on the Ballymena and Larne Railway. It ran up and down the 00n3 test track very smoothly. The challenge will be the body with saddletank. We look forward to seeing more at a future date.

David E brought along a couple of diesel loco bodies that he was repainting, trying out a different technique beginning with a base colour of yellow followed by a shade of red. The effect was very good, giving a jaded paint finish expected of a tired loco and I'd imagine it's a technique David will adopt again.

Hugh was developing some new board connectors to make the setting up and break down of Angst-Lesspork quicker and easier. This involved aluminium rod and 'R' clips, making the toil of using coach bolts and wing nuts redundant. {see https://www.009society.com/forum/index.php?topic=282.522 }

He was also modifying the mechanism that raised and lowered the witch in flight to make it more responsive in use in exhibition mode.

John brought along an ex Garry Whiting built Mallett loco that ran through its paces on the 009 test track. No running issues and it took the 9" radius curves with ease.

Tony had 3 locos and 3 coaches with him to run around the test track.
From the Bachmann stable were a Baguley-Drewry diesel in green, an ex Ashover coach and a pre-owned 'Charles' in mint condition bought at a healthy discount.
From Liliput (which is also Bachmann ...!) were a recent edition of the 0-4-0 dieselok and two coaches, one of which Tony intends to repaint so that he has a matching pair (I believe another coach has also been purchased and will also go into the paint shop).

Paul had one of the Clogher boards out, the final one in need of serious work before the Leigh exhibition. He had built the roadway with a surface for the level crossing.

He'd also nearly completed the T&D 0-4-2T no 4, a bi-cabine that ran on the Castlegregory branch. The model is the work of David Hurst and will go onto the Model Engine Works list at some point. The model had been printed by Shapeways (now in administration) and runs on a Halling motor bogie (not quite sure what's happening with Halling ...). It might be that the loco body may need adapting for a different motorised chassis, a case of watch this space. David may print the models on his own 3D printer or use another provider.

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The next meeting is on Zoom, 8.00pm, Wednesday 14th August, and joining details will be circulated at the weekend.

It is planned to have a meeting either later in September or early October at Greenfield Methodist Church. When a date has been decided group members will be notified.


s.p.t. 8-8-24.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024.

Twelve group members attended the meeting on Zoom on Wednesday 14th August – Alan, Andrew, Bob, Charlie, David E., David H., Hugh, Ian, Paul M., Rob, Tony and Paul T.
There were apologies from Stuart and Philip.

Alan has completed the chassis on the Ballymena and Larne 2-6-0 saddle tank called the Bruiser that he is constructing. Alan now has to decide what is the best method of construction to use for the superstructure; either a separate boiler with the saddle tank fitting on top of the boiler, or a totally separate combined boiler and saddle tank.

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024. cont/d

Andrew showed some photos of Swiss narrow gauge lines after his recent visit.  In particular a 750mm gauge loco with coupling similar to a standard 009 one

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024. cont/d

Bob has completed examples of all types of Oléron freight stock for his St-Trojan layout.  The 3D-printed chassis's (his final order from Shapeways...) have scratch built low-sided bodies.  The bolsters are removable, like the originals.  The pair can carry long loads like timber, but a single wagon can be used for the more usual loads of wine barrels or sacks of salt or onions.  Bob also showed pictures of surviving buildings of the narrow gauge in Charente, following a holiday visit.

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024. cont/d

Charlie had a number of loco and rolling stock projects to tell us about. From Precision Model Works (India) had had purchased a couple of 1:76 narrow gauge coaches. They are huge.
He is currently working on a Roxy Nasmyth Wilson 4-8-0 tender loco.
Completed loco projects included a Fourdees Secunda and a Barog both of which ran on the Peco/Kato England chassis.
He'd also purchased 2 large England's and a RNAD diesel, perfect to run on SW Lancs Light Railway.

David H. The picture shows a sample 3D print in 3mm scale of the Ulster Transport Spoil Wagon from the late 1960's, several scaled versions have been printer to see how they work, including an 009 version on Dundas 00n3 axles with 8mm diameter wheels regauged to 9mm.

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024. cont/d

David E. showed us the various stages of painting a Viking diesel loco to try and give it a more realistic appearance. It started with bright green, dry brushed with yellow and then a coat of red. This was quite effective.

Ian had begun construction of a  Scalescenes.com boxfile layout kit. Track and inlays are now in place and clearances checked, the first of the buildings is starting to come together. He cheated slightly by buying a laser-cut card pack for the kit to cut down on the donkey work. Ian is still considering whether to add LEDs to illuminate the interiors of the buildings.

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024. cont/d

Rob is working on a modified Roxy Toodos loco. We were able to see other loco's in his collection including a Paul Windle Kitson and another built by Garry Whiting. Additionally he'd modified a pre-owned bolster wagon to run on Turtle Bay.
For El Tortuga he'd purchased a Koppel loco from Jelly Models and it was perfect for Don Sibley's former layout.

Tony had been working on a trio of Snailbeach hopper wagons from Nigel Brooks. Following Roger Christian's lead he'd applied several tin coats of paint. All they required now were the fitting of couplings, light weathering, numbers and loads.



Paul T had made progress with the S.W. board of Clogher.
The road that led to Clogher had been completed as had certain scenic work.
Once the home signal has been installed the task of completing a cover of flock could be completed. (Thank you to Tony for the bail out with a packet of rough pasture to allow progress to continue).

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Paul had now completed the construction of the T&D tram loco no 4T with the exception of number plates.
The model had been develop[ed by David Hurst (Model Engine Works) and had been printed by Shapeways. It runs on the Halling motor bogie IDANT-VAR-Hom.
Once a decision has been made about future printing of the loco (as a result of the demise of Shapeways) it will be available to purchase.

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting 14th August, 2024. cont/d

Future meeting dates for your diary:

    • Saturday 12th October. Greenfield Methodist Church hall. Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

    • Wednesday 13th November. Grasscroft. Start at 8.00pm

    • Wednesday11th December. Oldham & NW groups Zoom meeting. Start at 8.00pm.


s.p.t. 19 Aug

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham Groups meeting 12th October, 2024.

Seven group members attended the meeting at Greenfield Methodist Church on Saturday 12th October – Bob, Charlie, David E., David H., Paul M., Tony and Paul T.

There were apologies from Alan C, Alan G., Andrew, John, Mark, Peter, Philip, Richard, and Rob.

Bob brought his layout St-Trojan-les-Bains (TTm) with a full selection of stock. This now has a cloud backscene behind the Perspex protector and a name board. It was good to see the 'Accumulator' battery powered railcar, previously discussed and seen at the Zoom meetings.
Here is a selection of photos from this highly scenic layout.

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[Hugh Norwood]

(and one more...)
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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham Groups meeting 12th October, 2024. cont/d.

Charlie gave us the opportunity to see again the layout el Tortuga (H0e) by Don Sibley, another highly scenic layout. Charlie had provided appropriate stock.

This layout will be appearing at the 009 AGM next April.

Charlie had also brought along a couple of locos from Fourdees and a Langley WW1 Hunslet running on a Mallet chassis; these got a turn to run around the test track.

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[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham Groups meeting 12th October, 2024. cont/d.

David H. had a selection of his recent loco prints that ran on the PECO/Kato England chassis and a Kato 11-110 motor unit that he's converted to 12mm gauge. This chassis was placed under a Skylark tram loco and ran very smoothly. Testing also took place on Wood Brook to check there were no issues running through the points.
(I'm not sure the van was properly on the track ...!)
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Paul M. brought along a selection of stock he had rebuilt or was in the process of reconstructing that had started out as standard gauge commercial models or H0e coaches.

Paul writes "There were 3 Eggerbahn Western Union coaches, 2 in green as railcars with repanelled body sides, and 1 in red primer, which was 2 coaches spliced together mounted on Dundas VoR bogies with a balsa roof.

The 3 bogie vans were made by cutting and shutting 1 1/2 Dapol gunpowder van bodies together, one with a peaked roof (card) & one with Dapol sides & a Dundas spare roof (DP08).  The spare doors from the gunpowder van were married with a shortened/narrowed Dapol Interfrigo van kit.  All of these run on PECO GR-106 arch bar bogies.

The remaining bodies were examples of standard gauge items that can be narrowed for 009/H0e, including a Hornby LMS milk van (4mm removed from centre), Rivarossi 4 wheel Italian coach (about 7mm removed from width, lower side repanelled with planked plasticard) and a Triang LWB open (red), about 2mm removed from that & mounted on the PECO bogies again".

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