In pre-Covid times, the ‘Merry Month of May’ contained two of the best exhibitions in the south of England: expoEM Spring and Railex Aylesbury. This year, Group members were able to go to both – and we were not disappointed. In addition to viewing some excellent layouts, there is always the temptation of buying models, kits, or even RTR, whether planned or on a whim, and this year was no exception. Clive R came home with the new Rapido 20T SECR 6 wheeled brake van which drew many appreciative comments at the next club night. Mike E returned with a nicely built SR (ex-LSWR) 4 wheel passenger van thought to be from a Mallard kit, while your scribe contented himself with some ex-Eileen’s brass wire from Cambrian Models. These two purchases remind us, as is often the case, of what used to be available at such exhibitions. It is reassuring then that Cambrian Models intend to stock metal wire in the future, as well as reintroducing Coopercraft wagon kits.
Not to be outdone, Chris H outshone us all with his purchase of a GWR 36XX 2-4-2T in EM gauge built from a Craftsman kit. Despite the prototype being essentially a suburban passenger loco, it may well see service on Chitterne. Running in turn from Swindon did I hear you say? It moves very nicely and was joined on the test track by an ex-LSWR T1 0-4-4T, another Craftsman kit which might also reach Chitterne.
Discussions are now taking place about a small extension to the station surroundings of Chitterne, the most pressing question being where to put the cattle dock. This has probably been solved by the gift of a nearly complete Mike’s Models GWR yard crane from Mike E. This will replace a smaller N brass generic yard crane but cannot go in the same place – which may conveniently now be used for the cattle dock. The replacement crane needed some remedial work including creating a 25 mm toothed wheel to represent part of the crane’s handbrake apparatus. Chris H acquired a brass clock-wheel which was oversize. So he removed the existing teeth to produce the correct diameter for the wheel, and then cut new teeth by hand. We are truly lucky to have such dedicated members.
Towards the end of the last meeting, Mike E suggested we should have a ‘Scratch Building Challenge’. Straight off the starting blocks is Richard S who is collecting material to build a model of Princetown station. The carriage shed was always unlikely to appear as a kit so he has seized the opportunity and is currently researching the prototype.
This report – written by Joe Newman – appears in issue 237 of the EM Gauge Society newsletter.