Hello all. It’s been over a year since l last did a Newsletter, but due to the current climate that we are all in l felt that perhaps one was now due! As we have not been able to hold Committee or General meetings so far this year l have asked the Committee for any comments.
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When we held our last AGM over 14 months ago, little did we know what a dramatic year was ahead of us. Some very successful events were, however, overshadowed by the very sad loss of our colleague, Peter Leeming, to the Corona Virus on 4th April after a gallant fight for life. An obituary written by Tony is on the next page and will be posted on our website in his memory and a memorial photograph in the clubroom. He was much respected for his expertise and happy personality and he will be missed by us all. His contribution to the development of the club’s layouts and particularly his superb 0 Gauge railway, now to be named ‘Leeming Junction’, will long be remembered.
Other than the social events of the year, of which more later and particularly the Christmas Lunch, the two most memorable occasions were the Open Day on 4th August 2019 and the L&WMRS exhibition over the weekend 6th to 8th March 2020. Both events were successful largely because of the involvement and enthusiasm of club members (and their wives in the case of the former). The Open Day was planned as a trial run for family and friends to show them what we have been doing when we disappear to Cutlers Farm each week. We were fortunate with the weather and our layouts, particularly the G Gauge “Cherry Tree Line”, were a popular attraction and received much praise especially from our friends from the L&WMRS which is very gratifying.
Their show in March was especially rewarding for us and though we only had three of the five tables from “Chippenham Junction”, it attracted a large audience on both days and gave us useful coverage in the Herald. Indeed, our presence there resulted in several invitations to other local shows which unfortunately did not materialize due to the lockdown. The only exception is the Lutterworth show which is still scheduled for 21st and 22nd May 2022. We still hope to display the full layout in the Chippenham Velde Museum next summer.
Though the club room has been closed for normal activities, low level work has continued on an individual basis over the last few weeks to maintain progress and our sanity! This should allow us to make a flying start once we finally reopen, probably on a limited basis initially, in the not too distant future (we hope!). This pause in activities has also meant that we have had time to think about how we can improve existing layouts and hopefully involve more members.
Alwyn (Chairman)
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During the lockdown some thought has been given to access and other problems with Cutlers Junction, you will find more details and some ideas on page 3 of this Newsletter, please take time to read it and let us know your thoughts, good or bad.
When we eventually get back to some sort of normality and if you feel helping on Cutlers is too much, we still need members to step forward to ‘take charge’ of layouts like Woodings Yard and Cutlers Junction. Both these layouts need some TLC, nothing major and there is plenty of help about if you need it.
So if you fancy taking on one these layouts or if there is anything you think of that the Club should look at doing, then please let me or one of the other Committee members know so that we can look at it.
Hopefully we will be meeting again soon for one of Peter’s sausage Saturdays!
Martin (Secretary)
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Very many thanks to our members for their continued support throughout all these weeks of closure. Income and expenditure pretty well balance out and funds remain pretty much the same as last year.
Vic (Treasurer)
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We are still continuing to contact local free publications to plug the Club. Although I suppose even this is taking a back seat during this crisis. Onwards and upwards.
Peter (Membership)
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I am keeping watching eye on the events that may be an option depending on the developing situation on the lock down.
GWR Toddington are now looking at the possibility of running two non corridor trains later this year. These will be available on a prebooking of seats on an individual compartment basis but no dates available yet. West Somerset Railway are talking about next April, the Severn Valley are still thinking about later this Year.
It is hoped that with the easing of restrictions, a Club Christmas Meal may still be possible. Let’s hope things continue to improve.
Tony (Events)
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PETER LEEMING – RIP
Peter joined the club on the 19th April 2016, just as the Club was planning their move out of town. He quickly became a very valued member of the team. His extensive knowledge of railway working and practice was always of great assistance to us all.
His modelling skills produced many beautifully detailed scratch built 0 gauge locos, some out of just card and plastic sheet. He had an engineer’s knowledge of how to fit things like reduction gearing which would make all his locos run smoothly and quietly.
He was always happy to pass on his various skills and work with members to explain and train them to accomplish new skills. His layout Leeming Junction will stand as a testimony to his imagination and modelling skills.
Peter was always kind, cheerful and optimistic even though his health was not always good. In so many ways he was a great asset to the club and his warm smile and gentle personality will be sorely missed.
This was some of Peters work:-
At Snowshill Manor
Leeming Junction
Peter’s last scratch built locomotive
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Whilst on lockdown discussions have taken place over Cutlers Junction. There were a number of problems that had been raised before the current lockdown, but this has given us the opportunity to look at these issues in more detail. Some of the issues members were encountering are:
None of us are getting any younger and bending becomes more of an issue, access to a) the 0 gauge branch line b) control panel and fiddle yard and c) mains plugs for front control panel, are all a problem.
There are some tight curves and the end of the station that cause derailment and also the incline is too steep for many locomotives. The station throat is awkward to operate as is the fiddle yard at the rear and there is a lack of work available for members to do on Cutlers Junction.
Access could be gained by introducing a lift out section to the front, this would involve re-doing the station throat which needs doing anyway, there was a gap there earlier on of 15” but any new gap would need to be wider (to prevent damage as well as accommodating the wider girth!) so some rebuilding of the frame and baseboards would be needed. The tight curves could be eased but the incline not so. Remodelling of the fiddle yard could be done to make it more usable and possibly add scenery.
As all the above would involve a fair amount of work and if we were going to do all that then perhaps now was the time to look at possible alternatives.
The proposal is that Cutlers Junction is opened up allow members better access to the 0 gauge and Cutlers Junction layout itself. The main station would be retained along with part of the station throat and the two scenic ends. A new station throat and exit would consist of only six points, instead of the current fifteen, and a new storage yard will be sited under the 0 gauge station, behind the quarry. A gentler incline can be introduced and with adjustment to the curved ends give a running length of over 130ft as opposed to the current 42ft (in either direction).
This remodelling give members the chance to get involved in all aspects of the layout and it can be wired from the off for either DC or DCC in such a way that a simple swap out of controllers is all that is needed, so members could even bring their own DCC controllers in to try if they wished. The extended run also gives members the chance to bring their locos in and give them a good run.
Below is a plan of the baseboards
Suggested track plan.
Please do let us know your thoughts, more details can be given if members consider these changes agreeable.
Tony & Martin
