South Hams Group Report

The 2nd meeting of the South Hams area group took place on the 4th February at Bittaford viilage hall with 6 S7 members plus an ex S7 member now back to modelling in finescale in attendance. Unfortunately Vic Burles was unable to attend as he's got the builders in renovating his new property and Biil Eaton was off to the rugby at Exeter. Keith Hurd brought along his almost finished MOK kit for the GWR 58xx 0-4-2 tank for advice on how it should be painted, should the roof be fixed before or after etc, Keith has made the backhead and tool boxs removeable to aid the process. Keith was full of praise for how the kit was designed and detailed the modifications he made to 'S7' the model. I hope to have some photo's of the completed model in the future. We spent some time discussing where 7mm modelling in general was headed, is the future RTR, or will the new technologies of 3D printing etc. bring us more accurate and sophisticated kits which are quicker and easier to assemble, whatever the future holds we want it to include a S7 option out of the box. I brought along a set of the early GWR loco lamps for my 517 that Lee Marsh is now producing, these are beautifully cast and painted, they can be ordered from the range, GWR, LMS, BR on his website. I also brought along an etch of Dingham autocouplers and an electromagnet to operate them. These are destined to be used on a 'cameo layout' in Iain Rice parlance that I've just started to build as 3 link couplings do not seem to be a practical option, unfortunately too late to enter the 33+ Challenge. Our next meeting is scheduled for the 4th March, if you are in the area and would like to attend please give me a ring (Malcolm Trevena) on 01752 894477 for directions etc.