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We had an unexpectedly large number come to the January 2026, which made for a most enjoyable session! About 30 of us gathered at the Portland College Cafe, with many models to see - apologies to those I missed as I tried to snap them all. See below for the many photos.
We have had the sad news that one of our members, Robert Naylor, passed away at the end of December 2025. Robert was always dressed very smartly, accompanied by Jillian and with an unfailing charm and politeness to all. Our thoughts are with Jillian in her bereavement. We will miss him.
Ed and Mel have managed to raise a fantastic total of £1,170 over 2025 for Models for Heroes at our meetings and some other exhibitions, including £500 of match funding from Mel's employers (Heidelberg Materials), which the charity says will help at least 20 new beneficiaries.
After asking round at the meeting, it was clear that everyone present was keen to continue supporting a charity in 2026, and that it should continue to be Models for Heroes. Ed and Mel are happy to continue to co-ordinate this, and everyone is asked to consider donating any suitable railwayana (books, models, tools, not just narrow gauge, etc.) for them to sell at our meetings and the other exhibitions they will attend this year.
They also have a "JustGiving" page to fundraise directly for Models for Heroes and they would really appreciate your support. You can donate to it by clicking https://www.justgiving.com/page/melanie-and-ed-roulston-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=EM. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to Models for Heroes, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity. JustGiving sends your donation straight to Models for Heroes and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.
Lastly there appeared to be a lot of support for having a members modelling competition to be judged at the next Narrow Gauge Now show in October 2026. Your committee are meeting shortly and hopefully will come up with a decision on this soon. Will it be for a pizza or a plank layout, or something different?
Mark had his current 009 project to fit on an IKEA Billy Bookshelf, 80cm x 28cm plus a fiddlestick. It is a chalk pit museum railway inspired by Amberley but relocated to Kent (because it is not Amberley). He has just curved some artists mounting board round tight corners as the backscene, and the next step is to build up the 3D scenery into the background.
Hugh demonstrated making up these tiny boat moorings for his "Bardsea Quay" layout. Incredibly fiddly!
Someone's recent Christmas present? I did not get who brought this along - sorry!
Charlie showed this Gem Dennis kit on a Graham Farish Chassis. It was incomplete when he got it and he has added to it to finish it. Below is his conversion of a Triang TT tanker to 009.
And this is Charlie's Light Railway Stores Bagually Drewy loco kit on a Kato chassis. Below is a Boston Largs SA bogie hopper wagon kit, now out of production but he found it on the 009 Society Second Hand stall some time ago.
This is Martin's Viaduct Lane Works micro layout, again, on an IKEA Billy shelf! This started life for a competition during lockdown for the Mickleover Model Rly Group but lockdown ended before it was judged ! Then they resumed the competition in June 2025 and it won out of 8 entries! A to B Models of Matlock Bath are now sponsoring the MIckleover Model Railway Group competition.
Colin made this classic 009 Airfix Pugbash some time ago, mounted on a Lifelike chassis, complete with neatly added handrails.
This is Colin's Gem Varikit on a Lifelike chassis.
And this is another of Colin's Gem Varikits, this time on a Minitrix chassis. Colin is fairly sure this one was built by Tom Snook.
Bradley had this brace of locos on his test track - including a work-in-progress scratch build Hunslet loco on a Minitrix chassis (in white). He also had these three work-in-progress Worsley Works scratch aid coach etches, these being a NWNGR Workmans, a Ffestiniog Workman’s and NWNGR Pickering Brake, all on Peco L&B bogies. The white darts in the interiors are the ends of track pins which are used as door handles. He hope to have these finished for the next meeting.
Alan showed us this very diminutive Tricycle van kit converted to run on a Caramel chassis - in the dark the two LEDs in the front headlights look like a pair of eyes, he says!
Mark H continues his sartorial oddessy into
T-shirt heaven! It goes without saying, Mark ..........
And finally a triplet of (printed) baby dragons by Dave, just for fun. Note the magnetic couplings between the three wagons.
Page last updated 29/02126
Header photo of Calf of Node, a small shelf layout built by one of our members.
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