Meeting 22 Jan 2025

[JulienW]

Eight attended the January meeting – Alan G., Brian, David, Lee, Mark H., Mark R., Martin and Paul.
Two apologies were received – Alan O'R and Henry.

Alan G. showed the progress he has made on the body of the Ballymena, Cushendall & Red Bay Railway 0-4-2 saddle tank he his constructing.



He also mentioned that Derek Naylor's iconic Aire Valley Railway, now over fifty years old, could be displayed at a Model Railway Workshop organised by the Ffestiniog Railway on the weekend of May 17/18. See Ffestiniog Railway web site events page for confirmation and further details.

[JulienW]

Brian writes " Progress on the 00n3 has been slow as I'm distracted by other interests and having problems with arthritic fingers.  However, I've now completed my CVR tram loco which is a Fourdees body on a KW trams chassis. I've had to add some weight but it seems to run ok.



I've also built a couple of the T&D vans from Dundas and the Association cattle van.  As my layout will be a freelance line that has bought stock from various sources (in best Colonel Stephens fashion) I'm content to run my cattle van without a roof even though Paul gently broke it to me that the Clogher Valley Railway didn't run them like that."

[JulienW]

Lee had purchased the kit for the Hudswell style diesel loco from Model Engine Works (David Hurst) along with a gauge converter for the pickups on the Kato 11-110 chassis. He'd also got a Kato chassis and he'd hopefully be able to let us know how he got on at the next meeting.
He has some surplus 00n3 kits he'd like to sell (see list below). If you are interested please contact Paul and he will forward your request to Lee who will provide details on return (prices modest).
The kits are:
1. Roxey Mouldings             4NGCI   Foxdale Coach.
2. Worsley works                West Clare Third Coach (Scratch Aid Kit).
3. Worsley Works                Isle of Man "B-B" Pairs (etched sides only).
4. Worsley Works                   South African Brake/single 3rd
   compartment coach (Scratch Aid Kit).

[JulienW]

Mark R. had been inspired by seeing the Reseau Breton 0-6-0+0-6-0T Mallet (0-3-0+0-3-0T in Fr) and had been busy with the construction of a model in 4mm scale running on 12mm gauge track. This included learning CAD for the body which is a 3D print and constructing the chassis for it to run on.



All in all a very impressive model as can be seen from the photo.
How did the French metre gauge stock (from a secondary line – intérêt général) match up with the larger of the Irish 3'? It is noticeably larger ...

[JulienW]

Paul had begun building the level crossing gates for Clogher. There were several conundrums that were discussed – the conclusion being that there will be few if any that could comment on their accuracy.
They are of mixed brass/card construction due to limited availability of the necessary brass bar and complexity of design.

He also showed a copy of a Mike Chinery chassis catalogue. Presently none are available, three had been useful for a number of kits (Backwoods CDR railcars, Worsley Works West Clare Walker diesel loco and Worsley Works Billard BR150).

Various modelling topics were also discussed, a good sharing of ideas.

For those interested in the Schull and Skibbereen Railway the Oakwood Press book has been re-released. I think it may well be a soft back edition.

Humbrol have discontinued their production of the Satin varnish, code 135. I do not know why such a decision has been made; and subsequent to the meeting my experience with the Railmatch satin varnish was most unsatisfactory. Fortunately I've been able to revive the tin of Humbrol and the paint finish was as I expected.

I will let the group know when the ex Backwoods CDR railcar No 4 in 12mm gauge becomes available form Nev (N-drive productions)


The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th March (tbc) at 8.00pm and joining details will be circulated nearer the time.           
s.p.t. 27 -1 -25

(Posted on behalf of Paul Titmus by Julien Webb)