South East Area Group July meeting

On a very hot, sticky afternoon 7 members plus a guest convened in Peter's shed to help Peter prepare his layout, Merney Junction, for the Challenge 33 competition - one of six entries left to go head-to-head for the Chairman's Cup. To say that less than zero was achieved in forwarding Peter's aims would be to put a very accurate spin on the proceedings. However we did see what Peter has achieved since the June meeting with the scenery starting to be put in place and some small dummy scenes being prepared to ensure that the process will be OK. There was also a very small scale mock up showing what is planned for the backscenes and this looked very interesting.

The layout is bounded by two overbridges, both superbly modelled by Rob Wigley and the photo shows one of them, but not in close up. You will have to come to Mark to see that. Rob also produced some axleguard and brake etches which turned out to be for 19th Century Midland and Great Western wagons which one of the group is modelling. Vey fine etches, as to be expected from Rob.

There also appeared a very fine LNWR 'A' class 0-8-0 loco, no. 1880, in lined livery. This appears to be a real Heinz 57 of a loco with many people involved in making parts for it, for example the wheel centres came from some J P Richards castings with an etch for the backof the wheels to get the correct final shape by Rob Wigley. The tyres came from Ken Cottle and the loco was painted by Colin Dowling.

Other models on display were Peter's recently acquired Ixion Hudswell Clarke, converted by David Nicholson; Rob Thompson had an unpowered chassis for one of the two LSWR G6s that he is building - this one is from an Alan Gibson kit with new frame spacers - and Rob Wigley was showing a partially completed Wagon Works milk tank. So things are moving forward in this group, slowly but surely.

The afternoon was rounded off by teas and coffees and an excellent selection of biscuits - well at least they were very much to my liking.

Rob T.