Events:

Mid-Suffolk Light Railway – 24th July 2022 review

Our Group was invited back to the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Brockford Station site to display our layouts on one of their steam running days. It was a scorching day, over 30 degrees, but slightly helped by a strong, if warm breeze.

The Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society had a stand plus a 16mm live steam railway demonstration at the top of the site, while our layouts were exhibited in the various rooms and the engine shed. We must thank Anne and Jasmyn from Great Eastern Models, Norwich, for providing trade support.

Outside, 1938 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST ran the steam service.

Staines Barn (009) – R. Doe

The “main line” station area.
The old Ford Model T conversion gathers a new load of beet out in the fields.
A view up the line from the buffer stops.

Coffee Table layout (009) – D. Churchyard

Work-in-progress on David’s rising and falling coffee table layout with placement of the running shed, and turntable.

Llanfair Jamieimion (009) – G. & J. Doe

The Jubilee bunting is out for the arrival of “Prince” and the special FR “bug box” coach.
The approach to the station with “Prince” at the head of the train.

Chapel Mills and Priory Waterworks (009) – C. Seago

The railbus waits in a quiet moment at Chapel Mills station.
Tank loco “Alde” is on duty at Priory Waterworks getting more wagons sorted.

Wonder Wall (various scales) – S. Green

Stewart had the opportunity to display his unique set of dioramas set into a wall display.

16mm/SM32 Demonstration – M. Cudmore

Malcolm was demonstrating SM32 models and figure painting.
An earlier 009 scale diorama by Malcolm.

16mm Rolling Stock display – J. Tritton

John has used some basic 16mm wood models enhanced by excellent 3D home-printed details.
Remote control Bluetooth electronics are used to drive locos.

Hubbards Halt (009) – J. Bamber

A goods train in the siding at Hubbard Halt. The loco is a 3D print running on a Kato chassis.

Raven Hill (O9) – G. & C. Watling

Goods train headed by “Orthus” passing the engine shed.
A tiny Lister Auto Truck hauling a single four-wheeler over Porrits Bridge.

Blythburgh Station Open Day review

On “Suffolk Day” (June 21st), part of the Festival of Suffolk, Blythburgh Station site was open to visitors, which is being restored by the Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society.  They invited our Group to display some layouts in the nearby village hall where they were showing some films from dvd’s of the Southwold Railway and the Mid Suffolk Light Railway.  Four of our Group attended, three of us showing 009 layouts and one O9.  The event was well-attended considering it was a weekday, and it gave us a chance to display other layouts again.

SHIPMEADOW (009), Richard Doe.
PRIORY WATERWORKS (009), Chris Seago

 

RAVEN HILL (O9), Graham & Caroline Watling
HUBBARDS HALT (009), Jim Bamber
CHAPEL MILLS (009), Chris Seago

Open Day & Exhibition – Saturday 4th June 2022

At last, a chance to run a little exhibition of our own again following the restrictions, various cancelled and moved dates, and doubts about venues. Where better to hold it than at our base, Barsham Village Hall, near Beccles. It may be smallish, and Victorian, but it’s been recently improved with a new kitchen, and new toilet extension. In total, 60 visitors attended including one person from the United States, and another from Merseyside. A great day, which allowed us to get back to more like “normal”. With special thanks to Sarah who baked the great cakes, Carol, Zane and Ann who served us and the visitors with lovely food and tea. And also of course to Lee, who brought the 009 Society Sales stand all the way from the south coast.

Above two photos: Our Group Display stand, displaying some of the many narrow gauge scales that members have modelled: 16mm, O-16.5, 009, O9, H0n30, and H0 trams.
“Reeds Beck Waterworks” (009) by Chris Seago. “Glem” has just delivered a rake of coal wagons to the boiler house.
“Reeds Beck Waterworks” (009) by Chris Seago. Here “Lark” is seen about to leave with empty coal wagons and soiled sand from the filter beds.
Malcolm Cudmore displayed a 16mm scale remote WiFi control Simplex and skips, figure painting, and hedgerow making demonstration.
“Little Ease” (1:16 scale) by Bill Knight. Always a difficult one to photograph, but superbly made by scratch building, a shunting layout using battery-powered locomotives.
“Little Ease” (1:16 scale) by Bill Knight. Overall photo.
The monster arriving at “Hubbards Halt” (009) is a scratch-built Beyer Garratt by Jim Bamber.
“Hubbards Halt” (009) overall photo.
Bagnall Saddle Tank “Willow” starts the climb to Shortwaite Village on Graham & Caroline Watling’s “Shortwaite Hill” (009).
“Shortwaite Hill” (009), overall photo.
Great to see progress on Alan Fullers war time shunting layout named “W.D40 War Department Area 4012mm” at 1/2″ to the foot scale. A chance to run his scratch-built “Tin Turtle” armoured Simplexes.
“W.D40 War Department Area 4012mm”, overall photo.
The 009 Society Sales Stand, (plus in the foreground, one end of Barry Weston’s “Mopsies Peat Bog” (O9).
“Mopsies Peat Bog” (O9), Barry Weston. Horwich Works locomotives and tram engines are being used here on the old peat bog railway, now a nature reserve, and tourists visit the line for an afternoon out.

“Mopsies Peat Bog” (O9), overall photo.
“New Walmington Pier” (009), Dave Carson. A stalwart exhibit is the Edwardian pier layout by Dave, the service operated by a 1890 Southend Pier toast-rack car.
“New Walmington Pier” (009), overall photo.
A work-in-progress is David Churchyard’s Coffee Table Layout. The layout baseboard rises from the coffee table operated by a motor in each corner. There will be a station in the east and “Magic Mountain” in the west, and in the loops trains await their turn to proceed through the tunnel. A loco works will also feature. The layout makes use of many 3D printed locos, some designed and printed by David.
Coffee Table layout (009), overall photo.