ScOONs Meeting Summary 16th December 2024

[Graeme Dunbar]

ScOONs Meeting Summary 16th December 2024, chaired by Graeme Dunbar

There were 10 members present and 9 apologies.

We started by looking at prospective dates for our 2025 meetings and agreed dates for the first quarter. The details will be published in due course. We agreed to continue our usual pattern of the first Wednesday and third Monday of the month except for days that were thought unsuitable. (The first meeting of 2025 will be on the second Wednesday, the 8th.) A calendar/year planner has been started and the intention is to add exhibition dates and confirmed ScOON presence and find a means of sharing this.

Alan reported on the Paisley Model Railway Exhibition (7th - 8th December) where he and other ScOONs members were supporting Martyn Harrison who was exhibiting his Castle Caereinion layout. Alan took charge of the ScOONs banners for the event and is holding on to them for Model Rail Scotland. He suggested QR codes could be a good way to provide additional information for the public. He agreed to be the contact point for the 2025 Paisley exhibition which is moving to June (14th 15th). He showed his new brake van and there was a discussion of Hunt magnetic couplings.

Vern has acquired a second Double Fairlie and has been making use of the National Library of Scotland online map facilities to carry out research (from the USA) and has started using the SCARM layout planning software.

Ian showed us the railbus he has made which uses two Peco/Merit bus kits back-to-back driven by a central Kato chassis powered baggage car.

Dave spoke of his attendance at the Paisley exhibition.

Martyn joined us and reflected on the Paisley exhibition. He has been working on the Tyne Tees challenge and open day. He told us about the LED shelf lighting  on his layout and the colour temperature mixtures. He has also been working on an EM gauge gear box and researching the Isle of Bute for a possible new project.

Rik gave an account of his visit to Paisley.

Paul has been preparing for a running session on his HO layout.

Christopher joined us and showed us his Kato England chassis competition entry. He also showed us the etched brass kits he has created and spoke about a card cutter.

David D has been working on a MERG train shuttle kit.

David B spoke about his 4Ds loco kit and also having buildings 3D printed.

Graeme showed the results of his first experiments casting resin in Silicone/RTV moulds to make a lighter weight Portaloo for his engineering works train.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday the 8th of January 2025.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

[John Galbraith]

Many thanks Graeme