Oldham Goup

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group notes – meeting of 16th November, 2022.

Four attended the meeting in Grasscroft – Alan, Bob, David and Paul.
There were apologies from Andrew, David H, Garry, Stuart, Peter, Philip, Tony.

Bob showed us progress with the construction of trees and undergrowth for the St-Trojan layout on a small diorama. A lot are needed for the layout.

Woodland Scenics tree armatures had been adapted for pine trees and holm oaks along with foliage clusters. The undergrowth was more of an issue. The pro's and con's of sea foam were discussed.

Bob's Corpet-Louvert 030 T with coach did a few circuits of the test track.

Alan had brought along two locos to show chassis construction – one style for his CDR Class 4 and the other he had developed for his Swilly Andrew Barclay (and other locos) – following a request from Paul.
These were a helpful catalyst to discussion.

Paul had the Worsley Works etches for an Andrew Barclay as well as items from Alan Gibson (details) and Markits (wheels, etc). Just the gearbox, motor and fly wheel needed acquiring. A last 'big build' project?
Additionally there was a progress report on the updated Lispole station hut, it was decided that the C&VB Beyer Peacock needed a fireman installing before the roof was attached and progress on the start of track laying on a Clogher baseboard was seen and discussed.

The next meeting will be held on Zoom.
Wednesday 14th December, starting at 8.00pm. Details to be circulated nearer the time.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham and NW groups zoom meeting 14th December, 2022.

Ten attended the December meeting – Alan, Bob, David E, David H, Garry, Hugh, Ian, Paul M, Tony and Paul T.
There were 3 apologies form Darryl, John and Philip.

Alan described his progress to date on his model of the Ballycastle Railways 0-6-0 saddle tank the Countess of Antrim with particular reference to the construction of the saddle tank. He then described a list of further work that would be needed to complete the locomotive.

[Hugh Norwood]

Bob had progressed his TTm layout St-Trojan with the construction of more of the distinctive cottages and the 2nd baseboard which will lead to a train turntable.

. . . . . . . . . .

David had purchased some kits (brake van and slate wagons) and an Eggerbahn chassis in a sale and was in the process of rehabilitating the kits which had not been well constructed. The Eggerbahn chassis needed the addition of spare parts to get it going again.

[Hugh Norwood]

Paul M had purchased a REE Models A80D Billard for his planned H0m project. A very smart model.

. . . . . . .

Ian showed us photos of the various 009 layouts that had attended the Rainhill Model Railway Club Christmas show (including the 009 exhibits in the upstairs room). Also a photo of his recently acquired Bachmann 'Britomart', another very smart r-t-r model.

[Hugh Norwood]

Tony was working on a Cooper Craft lorry body that will fit onto a Kato chassis, another road vehicle adapted for rail use on 'Windy Bottom', the RAF themed layout.

. . . . . . . .

Paul T ran through a number of on going projects including the Swilly coach and the now completed C&VB Beyer Peacock 2-4-0T from Model Engine Works.

[Hugh Norwood]

He also showed some photos of the Waller's 'Bron Hebog' that attended the recent Manchester Model Railway Exhibition – and Bob was able to add further shots from his visit. Finally a photo of the Bachmann 'Charles', yet another smart r-t-r model.

[Hugh Norwood]

Our next meeting (on Zoom) will be on
Wednesday 11th January starting at 8.00pm.
Look forward to seeing you if you can make it

s.p.t.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham and NW groups zoom meeting 11th January, 2023.

Thirteen attended the January Zoom meeting – Alan, Andrew, Bob, Charlie, Darryl, David E., Garry, Hugh, Ian, Martin, Paul M, Tony and Paul T.

There were apologies from David H., Graeme, John, Richard and Stuart.

Alan has now completed his model of the Ballycastle Railway 0-6-0 saddle the Countess of Antrim.  He explained how the boiler fittings were added to the superstructure and the paints used for air brushing the locomotive. Alan mentioned his next project would be a LLSR Hudswell Clarke 4-6-2T, as Worsley Works had agreed to produce etches for this locomotive at a request of members of the OOn3 io group.

[Hugh Norwood]

Bob gave us an update on St-Trojan which now had an extension board with 'train table'. Additionally he flagged up the small storage boxes that were now surplus to requirement (slide sized). Please contact Bob if you are interested.

[Hugh Norwood]

Andrew had been working on the left hand side of his layout which has made progress over the last 4 months. He also introduced us to his loco Charles from Bachmann.

Charlie showed us the progress he'd made with Fourdees Kerr Stuart 'Tattoo' loco based on the Corris no 4 (running on a Bachmann 'Peter Sam' chassis) and the freelance 'Starbeck' loco (using the Kato Prince chassis). Although freelance Dan has a good eye for loco design, and the shape of the tank is very like those of Thomas Green and Co locos.

[Hugh Norwood]

Darryl flagged up the 'Hobby Magazine', an annual publication that had several interesting and helpful articles in along with advertisers of useful bits and pieces.

He had information that the late Roy Hurst's layout '1918' and stock had been taken to France where it will be displayed at the Somme Battlefield Museum. A most appropriate and fitting location to display Roy's high quality modelling.
Darryl has also written several items for magazines including Garden Rail on setting up temporary layouts in the garden (from Z to 0 gauge).

David E had picked up a Co-Co chassis by Life Like with a double flywheel for £15. It runs very well and he intends using it under Dapol Drewry kit to make a 009 diesel.

Garry was able to confirm dates that Bachmann had announced new 009 products and the date of sale, years in some instances and moments in others.

Hugh told us about the improvements made to the lighting of Angst- Lesspork by the use of L.E.D.s.

Martin gave an update on Dave Scott's 'Chelthwaite Mills' and 'T'yn Goch'. The former layout has now been moved to the Preston M.R.C. premises with a view to rehabilitation and exhibition in the future. The latter – now 50 years old – is to be fettled and probably partially exhibited at the 009 Society 50th Celebration at Statfold Barn.

[Hugh Norwood]

Tony updated us on the model he was building using a Coopercraft lorry body. The body has now been constructed. He's using the 4 wheeled Kato chassis and will add a front bogie to give a more plausible appearance. {photo}



Tony also updated us on items of narrow gauge modelling interest from the latest Railway Modeller.

[Hugh Norwood]

Paul T showed a photo of new acquisitions – the Bachmann Charles and Nesta. There ensued quite a bit of discussion on aspects of the two models.

[Hugh Norwood]

Two recent projects – the WIP R&ER 3' First class coach and now completed Mk 1 Côtes du Nord 'wagon couvert' in 4mm scale.

[Hugh Norwood]

The next meeting will be on Zoom. Date Wednesday 15th February at 8.00 pm.

Future meetings are planned for 15th March (Zoom) and Saturday 15th April at Greenfield Methodist Church (OL3 7JJ).


s.p.t.