Hello friends,
Our November meeting on Saturday 13th November saw Paul Doggett giving us a very enlightening clinic on “Building Resin Kits”. 14 members enjoying Paul’s clear and helpful details on how to tackle one of these interesting kits. The model will be made available for airbrushing and weathering at Paul Brickles (ABC Modelsport, Crewe) clinic in the New Year when we will have the opportunity to get some hands on experience of airbrushing.
It was also very good to see Keith Webb, our new Vice President, join us for our meeting to sit in on the clinic and talk with members. This is something we raised some time ago when we said that BoD members should be seen around the Divisions to speak with and gain insight into the thoughts of members at local level. I know we are fortunate to have Steve Scott join us at Crewe on a regular basis but this move by Keith is a positive one and hopefully others will journey to join us in the future.
Plans for the DC section modules are underway and hopefully in the next few weeks we can erect those boards for members to start making minor alterations to the track to allow a connection to the DCC layout.
Another reminder that we need some help on 27th/28th November when the Heritage Centre is hosting an event over the weekend and we have been asked if we will operate our layouts in the clubroom on those days. Will you please advise Mike Lenz or Terry Wynne when you can assist – just an hour or two on one of the days would be most helpful.
I have been asked to be a member of the Heritage Centre Management Committee and last Saturday we held our first meeting to set some guidelines. The prime aim is to make sure all the different groups on site – Miniature Railway Group; APT Group; Class 47 Group; Signal Box Group; Exeter West SB Group and ourselves, are aware of each others activities and to co-ordinate help for each event each group is hosting. It is also the aim to show a united front to both the Trustees and to Cheshire East Council that the activities of the Heritage Centre are thriving and should be supported. It should be noted that Pete Waterman has lost his funding for the apprentice scheme and has been reminded that the Trust are responsible for all the site and what goes on therein.
The Management Group confirmed at the meeting they will be helping Calder Northern when we hold our “Western Roads” Meet in October next year by stewarding the site with us, helping with the pay desk, operating the miniature railway, plus the planned cab rides and “be a driver for a fiver” on the Class 3 diesel shunter loco. In turn they hope we will assist each group at their events during the year by operating our model layouts for the benefit of the visiting public. This of course is a good opportunity for working on the layout, recruiting new members and promoting NMRA (BR).
A further reminder – our “Western Roads” Themed Meet in October 2011 will be a 2-day show. Like the last event we held in 2009 people are invited to have a meal together at the hotel on Saturday evening. Setting up can be Friday pm or on Saturday morning with an opening time of 1pm till 5pm on Saturday (unless we decide to start at 10am on Saturday) and 10am till 4pm on Sunday – more on this in future newsletters.
We already have a number of layouts pencilled in and confirmation from a number of traders. We also have confirmed that Chris Leigh (editor of Model Rail) will give an illustrated talk on the “White Pass & Yukon Railroad” and may also provide an update on the “Kinsol Trestle” which he was building (remember the Canadian Meet in 2007). The real trestle on Vancouver Island has almost been rebuilt and is likely to be opened early in the New Year. Chris may have pictures of that to show as well.
Brian Leighton has also been in hospital for triple by-pass heart surgery and unfortunately Brian has had to return to hospital due to some complications – He is home again now.
Les Herriot has just had a cataract removed and is taking things easy for a while.
We wish both a speedy recovery and hope to see them at Crewe in the near future.
Don’t forget guys – we need prizes for the December Meet Christmas raffle. Please help!
Terry Wynne
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