Real & Model Railways for me.

[mikkel]

Before coming back from visiting Yvonne in hospital yesterday, her brother Gave me a crate Full of model railway items, including 3 loco's, numerous wagons, some coaches, track, a contoller and buildings. One 'set' consisted of a TT scale, long gone and with a loco, 3 coaches and a mass of track. TT is Table Top and production stopped late 1950's/early 1960's.

Talking of model railways, I have a new photo of 'The Club' layout in its entirity, minus part of the scenics, because that is yet to be started. I will locate and post the photo as soon as possible.

[mikkel]

I have been reasonably quiet about these of late, but that's because the Model Railway Club have been given notice to quit our meeting place by the end of this month and so been scouring the area for a new one. We had 2 offers, but ther proved unsuitable.

If anybody is in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire on 11th July, I will be at the Ware Model Railway Exhibition with another layout and that of a Great Mate and in 'O' Gauge. I love operating it and get to do so 3 times a year on average.

[DAG]

Wish you luck with finding a place for the club mikkel!

Talking of '0' gauge, I think it is a lovely scale, '00' always seemed a bit too small to me.

I did have my own '0' gauge layout (in the garden) which was scratch built in those days, both made by my father and I, when I was about 14.

[kedigato]

Sorry to hear that you still have not found a new place, Mikkel. Fingers crossed that you find one soon.

[mikkel]

Well Folks, the date is getting nearer and still no luck in finding a new venue as such, but we do have a place to store the layout, and another to meet in. If we want the layout there, it must be removed after each session and then they wanted £1 off every member for entering, so if we had 6 turn up they got £6, while if we have 20+, then they would get £20+. I told them they will Not pay it, so we came to a compromise, because 'The Club' are helping them out with a little extra finance, by making a regular donation to be agreed by 'The Club' members and it will not be as much as the new 'landlord' expected and just because they need finance badly.

[DAG]

Sounds satisfactory mikkel, and takes all the pressure off for the time being and still free to look around then?

[mikkel]

Yes thank you Dag and whether I upset one person on the current committee there or not, I don't care because I have now been given Permission by the real owners to go there and for as long as we wish. Yes!!!

[mikkel]

At the third attempt to get them today, I managed to get to Peterborough and buy some much-needed scenic stuff 'The Club' needs before an Exhibition we are doing on 8th August and in our Village Hall to help raise funds for it. I say third time, for the simple reason I tried to go by train on Friday, but due to a Massive storm, signals got put out of action, leading to some delays, so I returned home.

I then attempted to get the items yesterday and drove over there, some 30 miles each way, only to find the shop CLOSED on a Monday, so had to go this afternoon and spent not far short of £100 in total.

[mikkel]

On Saturday, we had organised a Model Railway Exhibition and despite all the advertising around the area, plus on local radio, we had LESS than 60 through the door, so will Not be doing it again. It cost 'The Club' to put on, but never even got our expenses back. We don't blame the location, but the residents who constantly complain there is nothing on in the village hall, then when there is, they fail to even come and have a look at what is put on. AGH!!!

[DAG]

Oh that must have been a disappointment mikkel, so I suppose it would be better to be part of some other event where there would be plenty of people turning up?

I remember back in the 1950's going to a nice model railway layout that was in a marqee at some event and it was very good. Must have been because I can still remember it now! ;D

[mikkel]

While shopping today, we went for our regular cuppa and sausage rolls when I got asked to organise another Model Railway Exhibition, in aid of a charity, so you can imagine my reply?

Yes, I agreed to do it, but only because it is for charity concerning Special Needs Children. I now await a choice of dates to choose from, with four layouts already in mind.

[kedigato]

After the recent fiasko (have you heard anything more about it since?), I wouldn't have blamed you for saying "no".

But knowing you have a soft spot in your heart for Special Needs Children, it was obvious what you would say.

Let's hope that there are no hook-ups on this and that you get a good turn-out on the day. Please keep us posted.

[mikkel]

Thank you Kedi, but the Lady that asked me today is one I do honestly trust. This is to take place in a different town and as we have a regular bus service, plus a railway station with trains stopping both ways every hour, I can't see that it will fail. It will have to be on a Saturday again, but I saw in the local press today, there were so many different functions on last weekend, it is no wonder none of us got many visitors.

This Exhibition will well and truly get advertised, I can assure all railway fans and not just in local press and websites, but radio and magazines. I am determined this one will be one of the Best they have seen here in years.

[DAG]

Good luck with the exhibition mikkel, hope it all goes well and please keep us posted!

[mikkel]

If all goes well this week with my Trapped nerve and freeing it, I will be at Needham Market, Suffolk next Saturday with the Bramley Line 'Roadshow' at what I understand is a Model Railway Exhibition, so if anybody can make it, please at least come and say hello, if nothing else.

On the weekends 5/6th September, I will be at Grantham Model Railway Exhibition, then 19/20th at Boston Model Railway Exhibition with Hungate Bridge, including the new extention to it.