Tuesday 9th January '24. It was our first club meeting of the new year and the meeting was exceptionally well attended. Work on rectifying faults on Ospringe St Peter N gauge layout continued while fault finding on Oare and Uplees was also undertaken. Godinton had two baseboards wiring worked on for Boards 4 and 5.
Tuesday 16th January '24. Another well attended meeting and plenty of work was undertaken. On our N gauge Ospringe St Peter layout further fault finding continued to discover the reason for the failure of three Cobalt point motors. OO Swaleford had the first of its storage crates assembled and damaged track lifted in readiness for a final repair. OO Godinton had base board number 4 back scene board permanently fixed to the rear of the layout and then the fixing brackets for the front control panel were installed and wiring of electrofrog points switching on board 5 was undertaken.
Tuesday 23rd January '24. Another well attended meeting with work on all layouts except Thomas We were given access to the adjacent room, so we gained valuable space for tonight's meeting and all future meetings. Swaleford saw plywood sheets cut up for layout storage crating along with track replacement work. Ospringe St Peter continued with work tracing the failed Cobalt motors problem, while Oare and Uplees had wiring checked. Godinton had two MERG modules fitted and track feeds wired from the main control panel installed.
Tuesday 30th January '24. A very good meeting which was also a running night, using our N gauge OSP and OO Thomas layouts. A vast assortment of members rolling stock was seen running on both layouts. Along side the running evening we saw work on Swaleford undertaken while on Godinton wiring of track feeds and through circuits began on board 4 and the fitting of a back scene break separator board was carried out.
Tuesday 6th February '24. Godinton, work continued with wiring the station areas board 4 and preparation work to install backboards on boards 5/6. Oare and Uplees had repairs to the Control Panel completed and tested. Ospringe St Peter's, all 3 boards were erected and testing of the wiring was carried out to rectify faults in preparation for Tonbridge on Feb. 17th. Swaleford, work continued on Board C to make its crate. The control panel faults have been rectified. Work also continued to make hinged backboards.
As we were packing away the centres fire alarm was activated and the clubs Health & Safety evacuation policy was evoked. This was proved to work correctly and all assembled were checked against the register. The incident was found to be a false alarm with a sensor activating under the main halls stage.
Friday 9th February '24. A small group of club members meet at the WFCC where a six hour hire of the meeting room had been arranged from 10:00. The plan was to fault find and correct issues with Ospringe St Peter N gauge layouts wiring re the failure of several point motors and before the layout is taken to Tonbridge exhibition. Several broken wires were discovered and repaired. The layout was then erected and tested, but one motor is still failing, which hopefully can be resolved on Tuesday evening. At the same time the opportunity was taken to complete all the wiring on the clubs OO Godinton layouts board 4. This was successfully completed.
Tuesday 13th February '24. Shrove Tuesday and Pancakes all eaten come club time! The clubroom was busy with various activities. Peter Newman gave an attentive group a demonstration of track laying which was enjoyed by all watching. Work on the crating of Swaleford layout continued. Ospringe St Peter had the failed point motor problem resolved and was found to be a broken wire inside a crimped 25 way D connector. Once repaired the layout was tested and is now ready for the Tonbridge show this Saturday 17th. Godinton had the last boards track wiring installed on board 7.
Friday 16th & Saturday 17th February '24. Friday afternoon saw two of our members extract layout ‘Ospringe (St Peter’s) and Water Lane’ from the our store cupboard located at the West Faversham Community Centre ready for display at the Tonbridge Model Railway Club’s one day exhibition.
The next day an early start saw four members arrive at The Angel Centre, Tonbridge and erect the layout. Although the layout had been checked on the previous club night a couple of issues in operation were dealt with expediently. The rest of the day saw over 1200 people attend the show and our layout received many plaudits from the public, some declaring it the best in show. Unfortunately no such competition was being held. A fun time was had conversing with the public and plenty of children were enthralled. Another club’s exhibition manager expressed an interest to have the layout at their forthcoming show and he took away our prepared blurb. Eventually the show came to an end and all were pretty glad (and tired) to pack up and make tracks home. Another successful advertisement for the club completed. Tonbridge’s chairman thanked us for coming. We were originally invited in 2019 but with covid etc were only able to make it this year.
Tuesday 20th February '24. A good meeting attendance and lots of work undertaken. On OSP N gauge layout the failed point motor was found to be due to a broken wire which was repaired. Ore & Uplees OO/OO9 had its servo point operating system fine tuned to drive the servos correctly and wiring checked for point frog polarity switching. OO Swaleford had a crate constructed to contain one of its baseboards. OO Godinton had rear board 8 additional point indication wiring installed and front board 5 track feeds plus the 12volt main layout feeds installed.
Tuesday 27th February '24. It was the last Tuesday of the month and so it was a Running Evening using our OO Swaleford and N gauge OSP layouts. The meeting was exceptionally well attended and there was a vast selection of locos run on the layouts. Work on Godinton scenic backboard 4 and all board wiring checks was also undertaken along with minor additional wiring on the rear fiddle yard end board.
Tuesday 5th March '24. Yet again a very well attended meeting with plenty of work undertaken on various layouts. On OSP N gauge the last of the street/building lights on board B (No.2) was completed and tested. Godinton had track missing sleepers fitted on board 5, plus servo cables installed and wiring commenced for the 3 way point indications. Swaleford and Thomas both had scenic work carried out.
Tuesday 12th March '24. It was the club Annual General Meeting (AGM) evening and it was well attended. Club Secretary Colin Hudson opened the meeting by welcoming all present and took note of the apologies of absence of which there were two. Chairman Bob Bushell presented his report on the past years activities. Club Treasurer Kelvin Inge gave two reports to the membership, one showing the 2023 Exhibition costs and income and then a general club financial report for the 2023 year. After a coffee/tea break the meeting then moved on to elect the new 2024/25 officers and committee members.There were no new offers for any committee positions from the assembled group. It was agreed by the proposers and seconders that all existing committee should be re-elected. These are: Chairman: Bob Bushell. Vice Chairman: Brian Lambert. Secretary: Colin Hudson. Treasurer: Kelvin Inge. Committee members are Peter Newman, Graham Church and Derek Waldron. During the AOB section, three questions were asked, one by Carole that could the AGM minutes be distributed once they had been ratified by the committee. It was agreed that this would take place and the minutes would be emailed to all members and they will be marked 'Draft' as they have not been agreed at that stage by an AGM gathering. Another question asked by Anthony was, Would it be possible for the club to notify members of those who leave the club? It was stated that this would not be possible, as it may offend someone who has left and could possibly breach GDPR. The third was from Peter M asking if there was any progress towards obtaining a free standing storage cupboard and also if two more 'tripod style' LED floodlights could be purchased to add to the two we already own, as the lighting in the two rooms we use is poor at best. It was agreed that the lighting levels would be checked at the next meeting where a decision on whether one or two floodlights are to be purchased.
Tuesday 19th March '24. Plenty of work undertaken tonight. On OSP N gauge layout additional street lights were installed but are still to be wired to the lighting supply. Swaleford had a defective CDU replaced in the control panel and also a backscene upstand fitted to one baseboard. Oare & Uplees continued to have wiring corrected while on Godinton the last of the CBUS modules and a six way relay board were installed and the relays wired to the appropriate rails for isolating sections, one servo on another board was repositioned.
Saturday 23rd March '24. A small group of club members arrived at the WFCC fairly early and moved Godinton layout from the store cupboard into the Youth Room where it was set up. The idea was to start programming the electronic CBUS modules on each of the front boards to the control panel. The work went well but a few issues was discovered and these will need to be resolved at club meeting evenings. Additionally, the opportunity was taken to adjust across baseboard rail joints and add sleepers to the track where needed. It was considered that the time spent was well worth the effort.
Tuesday 26th March '24. A well attended meeting which was a running evening and we saw our N gauge Ospringe St Peters layout in operation and two OO layouts were also available - Thomas and Swaleford. All saw a good assortment of members stock running on the layouts. Swaleford has suffered issues with solenoid point motor operation and this needs further investigation. While trains were running the defects discovered on Godinton board 4 were investigated and all issues were corrected and tested back to the control panel. Scenic work preparation also began on Godinton.
Tuesday 2nd April '24. Work continued on some of the layouts on Godinton no work was carried out on the boards, however a club member started building the goods shed from a Kit. Ospringe St Peter work continued fitting the street lights. Swaleford testing of circuits from the Control Panel to the point work was completed and now continuity testing between the boards is being carried out, also the folding backboards are being made to fit. No work was carried out on Oare and Uplees or Thomas Themed layouts.
Our Summer trip to Didcot... The list was on the Control Table for members to add their names to.
Many thanks to Chairman Bob for this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 9th April '24. On OSP wiring was installed for the new street lights. Swaleford saw scenic buildings and retaining walls assembled along with tracing the defects with the solenoid point motors. The problem has been identified and work is in progress to correct. O&ULR had its operation checked and needs a few minor items correcting to bring it to full working condition. Godinton had a 8 way plug and its cable replaced and two gaps cut into the siding rails for isolating sections.
Tuesday 16th April '24. Swaleford saw work continue on investigating and alterations to the point wiring, others club members continued to work on the elevated road back scene. Ospringe St Peter, work continued of the layout lighting with installation of lighting in the builders yard, next week we hope to install arc welding kit. Godinton had all the front boards erected to ensure all the track was aligned one section was replaced to ensure a smooth curvature. Oare and Uplees had no work carried out.
Many thanks to club chairman Bob for the Blog text this week.
Tuesday 23rd April '24. A little less happening tonight with just two layouts being worked on. Swaleford saw work continue on the rear back scene and the rear wall. While Godinton had boards 2 through to 5 erected and the control panel fitted. The cross-over points on Board 2 were set up along with the isolating section on Bd 2. Cross baseboard rail joints were aligned.
Tuesday 30th April '24. It was the last Tuesday of the month and a running evening using both our N and OO layouts - OSP and Thomas, a variety of members stock was run on both layouts during the evening. Also work on Swaleford electric point problem was on going and also scenic items continued to be constructed. While on Godinton it had boards 2 to 5 erected and the control panel fitted to board 4 and then the three way point set up to the panel switch.
It was announced that due to a low take up, the proposed club visit on 29th June to the Didcot preservation railway would be cancelled. It was also stated that Whitstable club have offered us a limited number of seats on a coach to the Bluebell Railway and model railway exhibition on the following day - 30th June '24. Cost is £20 for the coach plus entrance fee to the railway. Anyone interested should book a seat on the coach (Pick up and return is to be Faversham Railway Station) via the form on the notice board or speaking to Peter Newman.
Tuesday 7th May '24. Another good meeting with plenty of work on all the layouts. On O&ULR a damaged point was discovered and this will now need replacing. Thomas saw commencement of rewiring the track feeds using different wiring colours for the inner and outer loops to avoid errors. Swaleford had backscene low relief buildings added. While on OSP a damaged multipin D connector was replaced. Godinton had the last of the modules connected and programmed, while platform construction also took place.
Tuesday 14th May '24. Plenty of work carried out this evening in the club room. Swaleford had its motorised turntable installed and powered, the over bridge was repositioned slightly to allow the bridge and its approach ramp to fit onto one base board. Thomas continued to have its track feed wiring replaced. OSP had lighting installed in the engine shed. Godinton had some of its platforms constructed, while the rear fiddle yard points and LED point position indications were set up on the control panel. Further work on the right hand end points is still required.
Tuesday 21st May '24. A good meeting which saw scenic work on Swaleford undertaken. Godinton rear boards point indications back to the panel was completed, along with work on the new platforms. Thomas layout continued to have the track feed wiring replaced.
Tuesday 28th May '24. As it was the last Tuesday of the month it was a club running evening. Two layouts were in use - our OO Thomas themed and N gauge Ospringe St Peter. They both saw a variety of members stock being run on them. While trains were running, some members undertook tasks on other layouts. On Godinton one of the rear fiddle yard baseboard hinged legs had a Turnbuckle fitted to retain the leg in its folded up position and a newly run wire from the previous week was cable tied into the wiring loom. On Swaleford crating alterations were undertaken along with scenic work on making a retaining wall. Over on OSP and while it was used for running it had the beginnings of LED lighting installed into the engine shed.
Click on an image to enlarge it
Tuesday 4th June '24. Plenty of work undertaken this evening where Swaleford saw track ballasting being undertaken, Thomas continued to have its track feeds rewired, while on Godinton all the points frog polarity micro switches were set up and a relay board reconfigure, testing on the rear fiddle yard boards showed a defect which will require further investigation and correction. On OSP the Engine Shed has had LED internal lighting and outside wall lights fitted along with a Welding simulator inside the shed.
Tuesday 11th June '24. A good meeting with plenty of layout work undertaken. On our Thomas layout the last of the track feed wiring was completed and then the layout was tested to the handheld and main controllers. Oare & Uplees had the replacement OO9 point fitted and checked. Swaleford continued with the track ballasting. Godinton had a six way relay board replaced and checked that all relay sections operated plus construction commencement of a card workshop building. OSP had the engine shed fitted to the layout and its internal lighting and welding simulator checked.
Tuesday 18th June '24. Godinton work continued on on track realignment across board ends on boards 3,4,& 5 ensuring a smooth transition of passenger and freight stock. Ospringe St Peter due to some movement of the fulcrum on some of the points allowing a few points not to work properly these have now been glued in place. Oare and Uplees the set of 009 points coming out of the tunnel have been replaced ensuring they are level then rewired and now awaiting testing. Swaleford members continued to ballast both boards.
Some members took delivery of new zip up fleeces with the club logo on them plus other logo clothing ordered.
Thanks to Chairman Bob for this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 25th June '24. A very warm summers evening may have kept a few members away from tonight's meeting or was it the England Euros football match? But never the less two layouts were used for the running evening and a variety of rolling stock was seen on each. Godinton had several baseboards erected and track alinement corrected at cross board joints. The lifting access flap needs further attention to prevent sideways movement when down.
Tuesday 2nd July '24. A reasonably well attended meeting saw work on Swaleford's scenic detailing continued to be undertaken and a platform section was glued in place. Godinton had the rear control panels Gaugemaster Model UD controller replaced which was tested on the layout and proved to be correctly working. Thomas was set up with scenery and photos taken for one to be selected for the forthcoming exhibition programme guide front cover. Oare & Uplees had its uncoupling ramps servos adjusted.
Tuesday 9th July '24. A reasonably well attended meeting which saw work on Swaleford's track ballasting and scenic detailing continue. Thomas had maintenance work carried out with a multi pin sockets fixing replaced and damaged baseboard edge glued back down. Godinton had the lifting flaps alinement hinges installed and then rails across the joint resoldered. There was no work on Oare & Uplees or springe St Peter carried out tonight.
Tuesday 16th July '24. A good meeting, but still a little low on attendance figurers. However, that didn't stop work on Swaleford continuing with track ballasting and installation of an LED lighting bus circuit under one of the baseboards. OSP had the new lower level fiddle yard board alignment checked and additional bracing was then installed ready for cabinet makers dowels to ensure true alignment. Godinton had new adjustable lifting flap latches fitted and the alinement hinges adjusted then the tracks across the joint were checked and adjusted for true alignment.
Tuesday 23rdJuly '24. Work on Swaleford scenic continued with experimental landscape moulding being installed and scatter applied to check its appearance also a new Turntable switch was fitted to the control panel and wired. Godinton had several colour light signals inspected and electrically tested ready for final signalling on the new layout. Oare & Uplees was checked electrically but an issue on the OO9 tracks causing a short circuit in one direction now needs to be resolved.
Tuesday 30th July '24. It was a running evening and both our N gauge Ospringe St Peter and OO gauge Thomas layouts were in use for club members to run their own items on them. OSP also saw a club member take many photos of the layout along with some of the membership, with the aim of producing a painting for the club. Oare & Uplees still has a short circuit problem on the OO9 section which will be further investigated next week. Godinton had an allotment scene marked up on the baseboard that it is to fit onto and a wiring hole drilled plus a second diorama of a small yard and office was drafted. Swaleford had its rails cleaned following the previous weeks ballasting and then a loco was test run, plus some further scenic detailing work was undertaken.
Tuesday 6th August '24. A smaller than usual number of club members attended tonight but several items were worked upon. Godinton
repairing of rail joints and preparing to install Inspection pits. Ospringe St Peter rectification of the bay platform not working, it was down to a sticky motor, plus replacing an indicator light on the control panel. Swaleford the turntable is now fully operational and a separate feed has been installed for the lighting. Scenery work was also carried out with the cattle dock now fitted and glued in place. No work was undertaken on Thomas or Oare and Uplees.
Members were remined to put their names down for the Exhibition Stewarding.
Tuesday 13th August '24. Godinton saw continuing work on checking and adjusting track alinement between boards, on Board 3 a short circuit was found, circuits checked, and the fault was found to be a piece of solder that was the cause and then rectified. Swaleford members carried out work on all boards, scenery and ballasting was undertaken on one board whilst electrical work and testing on the other two boards. Oare and Uplees following testing an electrical fault still remains on the OO9 part of the layout, this will require all the track wiring to be disconnected and reinstalled. This will start next week. Opringe St Peters discussions took place on how the layout can be improved with the installation of further grave stones in the church yard, the installation of telegraph poles and gradient posts. Work will be continued next week on installing the fiddle yard. Thomas no work was carried out on this layout, but it has been invited to the Bredger Exhibition on Sunday 3rd August next year (2025) An application form has been sent to the layout captain.
Tuesday 20th August '24. Members listened to Derek who gave a talk on the various types of points i.e. Insulfrog, Electrofrog and Unifrog. Our thanks to Derek in preparing and presenting this subject. On Godinton the layout was worked on preparing the loco shed tracks for the installation of inspection pits. Ospringe St Peter work was carried out fitting metal biscuits to secure the new fiddle yard board with main boards. Swaleford alterations to the electrical circuits for planned work in the future. No work was carried out on Thomas and Oare and Uplees.
The request for Tombola prizes has now closed.
The list for Stewards at our exhibition is still open if you have not yet put your name to help, please contact Kelvin.
Tuesday 27th August '24. Being the last Tuesday of August it was running night and was well attended. Ospringe St Peter the whole layout was set up and several members ran trains, also more grave stones were laid in the church yard, fire buckets on the platforms and the start of telegraph poles were started. On our Thomas themed layout, had a prospective new member ask if he could run some HO Swiss loco's some of which were over 40years old and included a Crocodile electric loco, members showed a lot of interest. Thomas loco's we operating to ensure all was well for our forthcoming exhibition next month. Swaleford had work carried out positioning buildings and gluing them into their final position. Godinton saw work continue on preparation of the Loco Shed examination pits and the B end crossover that was sticking during testing, it was rectified by removal of the point motor and the baseboard hole made bigger. It was then tested and left working.
With only 3 weeks before our exhibition the exhibition committee will be meeting on the 29th August to finalise the weekend event to ensue it runs smoothly.
Many thanks to Chairman Bob for the Blog text.
Tuesday 3rd September '24. Ospringe St Peter had construction started building a Station Halt at the Gas Works on the Branch Line. Oare and Uplees work continues to find a fault on the OO9 Section. Godinton testing of points on boards 2,3,4,5 & 6 was undertaken all are now working correctly. Further work is needed for the panel indications. Arrangements were put in place to ballast where required on Saturday 19th October 10:00 until 1600. Swaleford testing continued and completed on the Turntable line which is now all working ok. On Thomas, checks on the curve where an engine kept stopping was made. All tested OK - must be loco fault.
Exhibition News..... Following the final Exhibition Meeting, all is in hand ready for weekend of 13/14/15 September.
We had one layout withdraw, but this has been replaced. We have at present one Trader withdrawn.
Blog text, many thanks to Chairman Bob for the copy.
Tuesday 10th September '24. OSP saw members continued to build the short halt to be used on the private branch line. On Swaleford club members continued to build and secure scenery. Godinton had wiring tidied up. Thomas was taken to members cars ready for displaying at our Exhibition.
Boxes were taken to cars including all electric cables ready for setting up on Friday night at the Abbey School.
Health and Safety instructions for the weekend were distributed by the H & S Members.
The Chairman wished members present who will be helping over the weekend well and hopes for a great Exhibition.
Many thanks to Chairman Bob for the Blog text
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September '24. Saw our two-day exhibition at the Abbey School.
A message from the Chairman: The Sun shone down on the Abbey School over last weekend as FMRC held our 8th Annual Model Railway Exhibition. On display were 23 Layouts supplemented by 14 Traders and the clubs own test track.
Again, it was well supported by the people of Faversham supplemented by visitors from around Kent. The Exhibition Committee chose well in the layouts that were booked, with several quality displays, this resulting in 280 voting papers being returned for the best in show, which was won by Dawn Quest’s layout Brief Encounter.
The Club’s test track was available for visitors to try out their purchases to ensure they ran, and over 30 people took advantage of the facility over the 2 days, it was even used by a couple or Traders. If this facility is to available next year, we must think about having DCC available as it was requested by several visitors
We received many complements from exhibitors that they enjoyed the weekend especially for the catering both from out caterers and the many cakes and treats supplemented by our lady member and friends.
2025 Exhibition is already in the planning stage and will be held at the Abbey School over the weekend of 13/14 September 2025, so an early date for your Calendar.
Tuesday 17th September '24. A fairly quiet evening after a hectic weekend at the two-day exhibition. Initially, all items used over the weekend were returned to the club store. Work on Swaleford scenic detailing continued and Oare and Uplees has now had the short circuit issue resolved.
Thanks goes to Chairman Bob for the Blog résumé.
Tuesday 24th September '24. Following a successful Exhibition weekend, members were treated to a buffet on our club running night. Carol was given a arrangement of flowers in appreciation for all the cakes etc she had made over the exhibition weekend. Members brought stock to run on our Thomas Themed, Ospringe St. Peter, Oare and Uplees and Swaleford layouts as it was the end of the month running evening. However, the evening was not without problems! A water leak in the roof over our storage cupboard meant rain water soaked our layouts stored and has damaged a crate containing Ospringe St Peter which has suffered damaged scenery and backboard, it also leaked on to Swaleford. This was reported to WFCC Staff Problems were discovered on Swaleford with the wiring caused by the turntable, despite it working well last week. Oare and Uplees is now up and running, the track needs a good clean and a point pin needs trimming.Work was continued on Godinton, checking the isolation switches and a fault was found
A poster advertising interest in a Christmas Meal, although no price or venue as yet been agreed.
Three members have offered to steward at Folkestone in October and names will be sent to their Secretary.
Once again, thanks goes to Chairman Bob for the Blog text.
Tuesday 1st October '24. This evening club members were given a detailed talk and demonstration of how to service locos by Andy Town. Members enjoyed the talk and thanked Andy for offering up his time and knowledge.
Tuesday 8th October '24. A well attended meeting which saw Peter Newman give a demonstration on Track Ballasting, which was appreciated by those who watched and learnt from Peter. Over on Swaleford an electrical track feeding problem was resolved and then the former problem section tested with a loco to prove all was working correctly. Godinton had isolating sections checked on two boards and a couple of issues were resolved by rewiring those sections. No other layouts were worked on this week.
Tuesday 15th October '24. As club members arrived work started on various layouts and the evening became a hive of activity. On Godinton the platform base boards were being prepared for ballasting with masking tape being applied to the platform lines to ensure we get a straight edge. Thomas Themed due to damage of the tunnel, members started to build a new one from a Metcalf Kit. Ospringe St Peter & Water Lane due to water damage on the terminal board, work was started to repair the damage to the back board. Swaleford work continued on with the laying of ballast and a water tower was built from scratch. Work also continued to find a mystery electrical fault. No work was undertaken on Oare and Uplees.
Club members will be at WFCC on Saturday 19th 10:00 to 16:00 working on Godinton. Ballasting will begin on the front boards, those who have indicated they will help are asked to bring a straight edge and a fine brush suitable for OO gauge track plus if possible a Hairdryer to warm the ballast glue and speed up its setting time. Ballast and glue will be provided by the club.
Many thanks to Chairman Bob for the Blog text.
Saturday 19th October '24. A group of club members meet at the WFCC at 10:00 and erected our OO layout Godinton. With ballast, glue and brushes at hand much of the scenic side track was ballasted and then glued in place using a quick drying adhesive. At the same time, point indications back to the control panel were set up and some points throw adjusted. Overall it was a very worthwhile day.
Tuesday 22nd October '24. A well attended meeting saw plenty of work carried out on our layouts. On Thomas themed construction of a new tunnel is well under way. Over on Swaleford a couple of sticky points were corrected and the issue around the CDU was also resolved. Following a Saturday track ballasting on Godinton the baseboards were checked and further work to repair ballast that didn't stick and remove patches of over ballasting began. A 3 second delay timer module was wired into the 12 volt feeds to board 3 to 1. Oare & Uplees had a servo position corrected and now just needs the servo's throw adjusted.
Saturday 26th October '24. 10:00 to 16:00 Another successful Saturday ballasting much track on Godinton.
Tuesday 29th October '24. It was a running night, so no work was carried out on layouts. The following layouts were erected and members ran their stock - Ospringe St Peter N gauge, Thomas themed OO gauge plus Swaleford also OO gauge and Oare & Uplees OO/OO9 gauges. Godinton saw two pairs of points ballasted plus work was also started in preparing the Conductor rail in fitting the insulating pots onto the rail.
Thanks to Chairman Bob for this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 5th November '24. No Fireworks at club tonight, but work was undertaken on Godinton laying the first lengths of Conductor rail and ballast added around two points. Thomas had the new tunnel mouths almost completed and Swaleford had further scenic detailing undertaken. OSP saw the previously water damaged back scene touched in in the sky area.
Tuesday 12th November '24. A well attended meeting and work was carried out on several layouts. Swaleford continued to have more scenic detailing added and the various flocks and scatters were sorted into separate storage bags. Godinton had more Conductor rail added and ballast positioned and stuck down around points. Thomas had its new tunnel portals worked on and also preparations began to allow DCC or DC operation of the outer loop of track. The clubs Test Track board was also reconfigured to allow one OO and one N gauge track to be solely DCC operated, while the other OO and N tracks remain DC (Analogue). OSP N gauge had new four way plug/socket connectors fitted for layout scenic lighting power feeding.
Tuesday 19th November '24. A distinct and rapid change to colder air in the outside weather temperatures for tonight's meeting occurred, though many club members came along. On Swaleford a road surface was painted a blackish tarmac colour and scenic scatters added to several areas. Godinton had more conductor rail added and further ballasting around points was undertaken. Thomas continued to have the new tunnel portals constructed. OSP had Tee nuts fixed to the boards framing. All in all, a good amount of progress.
Tuesday 26th November '24. It was a running evening at club, but without our two 'roving reporters' being present. Chairman Bob was unwell and Vice Chairman Brian was away on holiday. information on what occurred has been supplied by other club members - Thanks to you all. Godinton the ballasting of points complete on Board 3 while 3rd rail installation on Board 4 was completed. Ospringe SP was erected for running night and it was discovered that some of the indicator lights were not working. This was potentially traced to a wire having become detached from a 25 way plug. However, this did not detract from general running which was a good thing as a couple of members needed to get used to the controls as they will be forming part of the crew to attend the Erith MRS show at Thamesmead early in the new year. Swaleford tried out a prototype two road fiddle yard which had been built. It proved a great success. The height needed adjusting to match the layout height. It will now be finalised to form a permanent part of the layout.
Tuesday 3rd December '24. A well attended meeting which saw work on Godinton continue with installing conductor rail on the front boards, touching up of ballast in places missed and also through points. Ospringe St Peter had a repair of a broken wire in a 25 pin connector which was discovered during last weeks running night, and testing done to find a fault on an indicator light on the panel. Last night after moving the switch several times it appeared to be working ok. Thomas Themed work continued on building the new Tunnel. Swaleford work was undertaken on layout scenery, when completed in your reporters opinion it will of exhibition standard.
The leaking roof has been repaired and therefore all our base boards are now back in the store cupboard.
Everyone present who is going to Judd Folly for our Annual Christmas Dinner are looking forward to this Saturday 7th. The Chairman wishes all members who will not be with us on Saturday a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Many thanks to Chairman Bob for the Blog report this week.
Saturday 7th December '24. Club members and their plus ones sat down to a three course pre Christmas meal at Judd Folly hotel just outside Faversham. The evening was enjoyed by all and Chairman Bob wished everyone a Happy Christmas and gave additional thanks to the committee and the exhibition committee for their work during the last twelve months plus special thanks to Carole for providing mid club meeting evening refreshments. Bouquets of flowers were presented to Carole, Pat and Glynis for their help during the year.
Tuesday 10th December '24. A well attended meeting and work on Godinton Third Rail installation continued along with further ballasting work plus the fitting of a relay module and three variable voltage regulators for controlling building, street and station lighting. Swaleford had further scenic detailing works undertaken and a specially constructed wooden crate for storage of Scenics and buildings when off the layout arrived. OSP had the Engine shed removed and the welding simulator also removed which appears to have stopped working. Further investigation of this module is needed.
Tuesday 17th December '24. Our last meeting of the year and it was reasonably well attended. Work on Swaleford continued with more scenic detailing items being added. Over on Godinton the scenery lighting control relay board was paired to the control module and three variable voltage regulators were tested via their own dedicated relay contacts. OSP engine sheds welding simulator had been examined and it is thought the micro processor had failed, a new unit has been ordered.
