Oldham Goup

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham and NW groups zoom meeting 15th February, 2023.

Eleven attended the february Zoom meeting – Alan, Bob, Charlie, Darryl, David E., Garry, Hugh, Paul M, Rob, Paul T and we were pleased to welcome Stuart to his first meeting.

There were apologies from Andrew, David H., Ian and Tony.

Alan outlined two forthcoming projects; an etched brass Lough Swilly Hudswell Clarke 4-6-2T and the Ballycastle Von Borries 2-4-2T. The latter had Walschaerts valve gear which will prove a challenge. The frames for this loco had been completed.

Bob had made good progress with St-Trojan which now had numerous trees. Some ground level bushes were still required to complete the scene.

Charlie showed us photos of his quarry Hunslet, based on Holy War, built 20 years ago with the new Bachmann Nesta. It was considered that he had done an excellent job. He had started some FR coaches, kits from Fourdees, was making progress with a Decauville from Meridian (using a Percy chassis) and had built another Fourgon using an Egger box van. He is now a Modelu character!

Darryl updated us on a couple of magazine articles. Firstly his own on the construction of a temporary garden railway (Garden Rail) and Andy Cundick's Castlederg layout (Model Rail). Paul also flagged up John Crane's Kurseong in the latest Continental Modeller.

David E had started a farm and attached barn from Pocket Money Kits (laser cut MDF) and had also purchased two Modelu figures for his quarry Hunslet.

Garry showed us some VoR coaches he had purchased, restored and would be selling on the Society sales stand soon. He had also purchased a resin building model based on a sardine canning factory. This building still exists and Bob was able to find its location and photos of the building. It'll make a very smart model. Additionally we saw an improved Hornby Scaledale model of cottages and a TU2 body purchased from Ukraine. The latter needs a chassis (it is designed as a static model), probably a Lilliput 2095.

Rob had completed some scenic work on Turtle Bay. He had painted a NG G16 Garrett (Backwoods); improved the bogies on one of the Eggerbahn coaches (that had been already 'colonialised') and others will follow. He had also produced a new design for a B0-B0 diesel loco which will run on Turtle Bay. Two had been printed for export to the USA.
Stuart updated us on several projects including his new Bachmann sound fitted Linda. He'd purchased a DCC controller (pre owned) so that the loco runs more effectively with sound.

Paul was completing the painting of the ex C & VBT loco No 4 as adapted for use on the Clogher Valley Railway built for him by Alan. The body had been completed and the chassis, pistons and wheels now needed painting.

Hugh had invited Melton Market to the AGM in May and Paul outlined what he planned to do to make the layout more complete – ambitious and aspirational maybe?

A photo showing the starting point for the challenge (it is a challenge) is seen below. At the AGM spot the difference!

Our next meeting is on 15th March (Zoom). Future meetings are planned for and Saturday 15th April at Greenfield Methodist Church (OL3 7JJ) and Wednesday 10th May in Grasscroft.

~ s.p.t. ~

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham and NW groups zoom meeting 15th March, 2023

Sixteen attended the January Zoom meeting – Bob, Charlie, Darryl, David E., David H., Garry, Graeme, Hugh, Ian, John, Paul M, Richard, Rob, Stuart, Tony and Paul T.
There were apologies from Alan and Andrew.

Bo showed us some progress photos of St-Trojan which now had many more trees and some more ground cover will be introduced to give the full 'forest' effect. Another home had also been built and installed. He'd also modelled the characteristic donkeys with their leggings along with various carts for them to pull.
[The layout is booked to attend our next meeting on 15th April at Greenfield Methodist church.]

[Hugh Norwood]

Charlie showed us a comparison between his Meridian Decauville and 3D Factory early Decauville (the latter needing paint to complete. He has buit some toast rack coaches which are to be weathered and he had received a model of himself as a loco driver (ModelU) which will be transferable between stock dependent on the layout exhibited.

Darryl had enjoyed the variety of layouts at NGN (as did many of us) and had purchased a larger scale model of the CVR railcar No 1 at another show.

David E. showed a photo of a hearse wagon he had bought. It's origins (maker) were discussed, GEM for the Ffestiniog Railway.

David H. showed us progress with several projects including a German style tram that runs on the Bachmann 'England' chassis and a 4mm scale version of the Schull & Skibbereen early tram loco 'Ida' as running in its latter years.

[Hugh Norwood]

Garry showed us a couple of Riverossi TT coaches he had altered for use on 'Colonial' 009. This was essentially a cut and shut procedure, the hardest part of which was restoring the roof profile which involved quite a bit of work and filler. PECO L&B bogies finished off this project. Paul M. had the same coaches ready for a similar job.

Graeme gave us a revue of the SCOONS stand at the Model Rail Scotland (Glasgow) exhibition – a very impressive display. Included was a small box file layout (with very tight corners) that Graeme had constructed.

Hugh showed us that reconstruction of a dropped 3D print was possible along with some footage of a Garratt (name of designer forgotten David Malton, I think and now in the owenership of Richard Pike - HN) running around Angst-Lesspork.

Ian had bought from Fourdees a print for an England style loco with just a spectacle plate and much cab pipe and dial detail. Good discussion ensued on the challenge of painting.

[Hugh Norwood]

Coincidentally Richard had completed the same print and showed us photographs of the finished model {photos}

He'd built a generator unit on a flatbed truck and had purchsed a Bachmann Dorothea (my favourite of the two cabbed locos).

[Hugh Norwood]

Rob had 3D printed his model of a Bolivian Sulzer Crocodile loco, now painted and weathered. This fits an 9mm gauge chassis. He has aleady prepared one for posting to the States.

Tony gave us some feedback on the recent Rainhill show where he exhibited Grimbledon Down with success (after some last minute hitches were sorted). Also his experience of riding the Wells and Walsingham Light Pailway (cushion advised ...).
His train was pulled by one of the two Garretts, 'Norfolk Hero'.

[Hugh Norwood]

Stuart had also invested in ModelU footpalte figures for his new locos and had a new backdrop for his current 009 project.

John did have a presentation but sadly his computer failed to co-operate, hopefully we'll see it next time he is able to attend.

Finally Paul updated the group on 3 projects. A house on Melton Market had now been completed after a period of 7 years. It has a Saddleworth style of architecture.

He had completed CVR Hudswell Clarke No 4 built for him by Alan. Works photo below:

The tracks for Clogher had been laid though there is yet much to do before a train can traverse the station from end to end.

[Hugh Norwood]

A reminder that our next meeting is on Saturday 15th April at Greenfield Methodist Church (OL3 7JJ), commencing at 1.30 'ish

and Wednesday 10th May in Grasscroft, 8.00pm start


~s.p.t.~

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023.

Fifteen group members attended the meeting held at Greenfield Methodist Church. Andrew, Bob, Charlie, David E, David H, Garry, Hugh, Mark, Peter, Philip, Rob, Stuart, Tony and Paul. We were pleased to welcome Ron to his first meeting.
There were apologies from Alan C. and Alan G.

Bob brought along his 'St-Trojan-les-Bains' layout which is moving towards completion. It included donkeys with their trousers (to keep off the flies). An interesting idea with the 'train table' for railcar storage as well.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023. cont/d...

Charlie had brought along his scenic test track 'Cranbrook End'. Several new locos (mostly from Fourdees) had a good run up and down on the layout.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023. cont/d...

David H. displayed a scenic diorama based on a small fishing port along with several recently finshed models and 3D print locos – some of which are available from Model Engine Works (via Shapeways)

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023. cont/d...

David E. had a recently completed a FR coach (Dundas DM64) and painted and lined it to match the PECO 4 wheel Victorian coach.

Both Rob and Stuart made good use of the circular test track. Rob ran a model (Golden Arrow) of the S&K Kitson Meyer which had a bespoke chassis and Stuart a Roco loco (H0e). Both ran very smoothly.

Garry displayed a number of models that he had built or adapted in the last few months, most seen on our Zoom meetings. (photo)

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023. cont/d...

Philip brought over his attractive layout 'Lockwood Wharf' on which ran stock that was largely made up of 3D prints.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023. cont/d...

The final layout on display was Tony's 'RAF Windy Bottom', a work in progress, which made good use of several repurposed Airfix kits. The signal box/engine shed arrangement was inspired by that at Moretonhampstead in Devon.

[Hugh Norwood]

Oldham group meeting 15th April, 2023. cont/d...

Rob brought along his 3D print of a Bolivian Sulzer Crocodile loco, painted and weathered. This fits onto the BEMO crocodile chassis.