May 2024
Apologies for being slightly late with the SRC review of May. Given the finer weather and other committments…..
Anyway, let’s get down to it. The main event for the club in May was the Spring Show, held at Berkswich Methodist Church Hall on Saturday 18th. We had 10 layouts, mostly from club memebrs with a couple from former memebrs. Thanks to former members Norman Jones and Martin Staley for helping out. The staff at the church hall did us proud once again with their catering. Excellent bacon and sausage sandwiches and a supply of cakes throughout the day. Attendance was down on previous years but it was encouraging to see a number of family visitors with younger children who no doubt came for the opportunity to operate Hogsmead on Sodor. One young lad said he had been up since 6 am waiting to come – there’s dedication for you!
Here are some photos from the day showing each of the layouts:
Redwick Halt. The club’s project layout built by a group of our newer members over six Saturday mornings earlier this year.
Cwm Hir by Doug Mobley.
Cathwaer from Arthur Moss
Blue is the Colour – former club member Norman Jones.
Jennings Sidings by Keith Jennings.
A2B Models with Andy Brewin displaying his items for sale.
Demo layout from Pete Griffiths. Pete was on hand to discuss DCC.
Town End Wharf by Dave Cartwright.
The brewery from former member Martin Staley.
Emerald by Nick Palette
Derwent Road from Arline and Peter Wilson.
Cliff Homer with his operating breakdown crane.
Hogsmead on Sodor – the club’s layout fearuring many of the characters from Thomas the tank Engine.
Our photographer, Spike, has been out and about again and has provided a fine selection of good quality photos documenting notable events from the past month.
Photo 1 – Transport for Wales are one of a small few companies still using loco hauled trains as well as units here class 67 No.67013 departs Crewe with 5Z67, 08.58 Crewe C.S. to Crewe T.M.D. (E) via Chester empty stock move. 2/5/2024.
Photo 2 – GBRF class 69 No.69008 arrives at Crewe with the Arlington Barrier wagons in tow with 5M95, 09.44 Widnes Transport Tech to Leicester L.I.P. after taking a Southwest Trains class 458 north for overhaul. 2/5/2024.
Photo 3 – Locomotive services ex LNER A2 No.60532 Blue Peter departs Crewe with 5P45, 09.33 Crewe to Shrewsbury Coton Hill yard, on its first loaded test run after a long absent from the mainline for overhaul. 2/5/2024.
Photo 4 – LNER A4 No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley coasts round Queensville Curve, on the approach to Stafford working Steam Dreams 1Z72, 08.00 London Euston to Chester charter. 11/5/2024.
Photo 5 – The Severn Valley Railway held its annual diesel gala in May with an array of visiting traction including a Colas operated short HST set made up of power cars No. 43301+43303 and three coaches seen at Highley.18/5/2024.
Photo 6 – Class 40 no.40106 arrives at Highley with the 09.15 Kidderminster – Bridgnorth. 17/5/2024.
Photo 7 – LSL operated class 37 No.37409 arrives at Bewdley with 11.15 Bewdley – Kidderminster. 17/5/2024.
Photo 8 – Class 46 No.46035 arrives at Bewdley with 13.15 Highley – Kidderminster. 17/5/2024.
Photo 9 – Class 37 No.37263 arrives at Arley with 15.15 Bridgnorth – Kidderminster. 17/5/2024.
Photo 10 – Two of the star attractions were in the shape of heavy freight engines, Freighliner class 59 No.59206, usually employed on aggregate workings from the Mendip quarries and GBRF class 69 No.69009 seen at Kidderminster. 18/5/2024.
Photo 11 – GBRF owned class 73 No.73119 and preserved class 33 No.33108 pass the viewing gallery at the Engine House Museum at Highley with the 13.00 Kidderminster – Bridgnorth. 18/5/2024.
Photo 12 – GWR Castle No.5043 speeds past Elford with 1Z29, 10.34 Derby to Stratford-upon-Avon, Vintage Trains Shakespeare Express charter. 26/5/2024.
Photo 13+14 – Freightliner class 66 No.66601 passes Sytch Lane, Mill Meece working 6H50, 13.14 Wembley Receptions sidings to Tunstead Sidings empty aggregates train. Class 66 No.66613 and wagons were attached at the rear to make a jumbo empty train returning to the Peak District quarries. 29/5/2024.
Photo 15+16 – Rail Adventure class 43 HST Power Cars No.43423 and 43467 haul new Stadler Rail built Merseyrail Class 777’s No.777033 and 777047 being delivered from the continent working the 6Q77, 13.30 Wembley to Walton Old Jn Sidings (Warrington) leg at Sytch Lane, Mill Meece. 29/5/2024.
Photo 17 – LSL class 45 No 45118 makes its first moves on the national network under its own power in over 30 years accompanied by class 40 No.40013 and class 37 No.37409 as they pass Stone Road, Norton Bridge working 0Z44, 14:28 Barrow Hill to Crewe Holding Sidings. 29/5/2024.
That’s all for now other than to remind you to keep the last weekend of September free for the largest independent model railway exhibition in the country at the Stafford County Showground. See here.
