July 2024

At last the weather has begun to look a bit more like summer.

Those people that attended our show at the County Showground last September will remember that we had help from a group of scouts, the 4th Stafford Group to be precise, and to thank them for their efforts, we donated some money for them to spend on activities of their choice.

Alex, their leader, has provided the following account:

The 4^th Stafford Scouts have had a phenomenal time on our recent Paddle Camp in Nottingham and Summer Camp to the Isle of Wight.

The Group would like to say a massive thank you to Stafford Railway Circle for their generous donation that partly funded our Summer and Paddle Camps, following the Scout’s support at the model railway exhibition last September. The funding has allowed us to provide a greater range of enriching experiences like these for our young people.

Paddle Camp, was a Weekend in June. Scouts paddle to and camped on an Island in the middle of the River Trent near Nottingham.

On the Friday evening, Scouts set off from the marina in Beeston, paddling upstream on the river Trent to Barton Island.  Saturday and a day’s paddling on the river. A trip around the island to warm up, before a serious game of ‘capture the kayak’ and a kayak polo. But, it wouldn’t be Scout camp without the rain and to make things even more exciting, some thunder to add to the drama. By the afternoon and the rain finally finished. Games on the island before it was time for tea, a camp favourite, Chilli and rice with garlic bread all cooked from scratch on a wood fire. After a very wet night, it was a bright Sunday morning on Barton Island. We dismantled camp before launching onto the water for a trip into Nottingham finishing at Trent Bridge.

Read more about our Paddle Camp here: https://www.4thstaffordscouts.org.uk/news/article/scouts-paddle-camp-2024

We have just returned from our week long Summer Camp to the Isle of Wight at the end of July, camping at Corf Scout Campsite.

The Isle of Wight has treated us well, with the most glorious weather all week to make our adventures even better.

Scouts enjoyed all matter of Scouting Based Activities, including adrenaline seeking Coasteering at Freshwater Bay. Onsite bushcraft, including axe work, wood splitting and making staves. Trips to the beach, including Alum Bay and Sandown. Paddle Sports on the lake at the campsite, Paddle Boarding and Kayaking. Hikes around Freshwater Bay and Blackgang as well as amazing homemade meals, often cooked over fire.

Read more about our Summer Camp here: https://www.4thstaffordscouts.org.uk/news/article/scouts-summer-camp-2024

The Troop looks forward to supporting at the 2024 SRC Model Railway Exhibition in September.

Many thanks for that and we certainly look forward to seeing you all again in September.

On the weekend of 27th/28th July the annual model railway show was held at St Johns School, Trent Vale, Stoke. As usual, we had a “classroom” and 4 layouts were on display.

Moving on to prototype matters, Spike was out and about again and here is what he saw.

Photo 1 – Transport for Wales are one of only a handful of companies who still use loco hauled trains daily, here DB class 67 No.67015 departs Crewe with TfWales 1V34. 06.27 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central service. 13/7/2024.

Photo 2 – Black 5 No.44871 waits to depart Carlisle with 1Z88, 15.00 Carlisle to Crewe, Railway Touring Company’s Cumbrian Mountain Express charter with class 47 No.47848 on the rear. 14/7/2024.

Photo 3 – West Coast class 47 No.47848 has just arrived at Crewe with 1Z88, 15.00 Carlisle to Crewe Railway Touring Company’s Cumbrian Mountain Express charter. 14/7/2024.

Photo 4 – Once one of the fleet of Virgin Thunderbirds, which would have been seen regularly siting in the south bay at Stafford, GBRF class 57 No.57306 passes Stafford with 1Z60, 07.56 Watford Junction to Runcorn Folly Lane, UK Railtours ‘North West Freighter’ charter that also visited Preston Docks. 14/7/2024.

Photo 5 – Only a few days later than the above photo, much travelled Black 5 No.44871 departs the Stafford at Queensville curve working a Carnfoth to Southall positioning move in readiness for some charter work out of London. 17/7/2024.

Photo 6 – Once an everyday sight at Stafford but now only seen occasionally West Coast class 86 No.86401 arrives at Stafford with 1Z76, 07.09 Coventry to Carlisle Northern Belle charter. 27/7/2024.

Photo 7 – Hauling its first passenger train in over 35 years, LSL class 45 No.45118 ‘Royal Artilleryman’ passes Clay Mills hauling Inter City Charters ‘The Diamond Jubilee Express’ 1Z45, 07.03 Bristol temple Meads to York. 27/7/2024

Photo 8 – West Coast class 37 No.37706 approaches Stafford with 5Z39, 10.07 Crewe Down Refuge Siding to Burton Wetmore Sidings ECS from the previous days Pathfinder Jolly Whistler Railtour to Skegness. Class 40 No. D345 was Dead on the rear. 28/7/2024.

Photo 9 – West Coast class 47 No.47245 rounds Queensville curve, on its approach to Stafford with 5Z40, 14.33 Burton Wetmore Sidings to Carnforth ECS move consisting of a rake of Riviera blue and grey mk2s coaches. 29/7/2024.

That’s all for this time except to say that we are getting ever closer to this year’s show – don’t forget: 28th/29th September at Bingley Hall, Stafford County Showground.