Model making sessions with the Scouts

I was told a few years ago that, unbeknown to many people, the scouts have a model making badge. Given the relationship we have had with the 4^th Stafford troop over the past few years with their assistance at the annual exhibition, the question was asked whether they would be interested in pursuing that particular avenue in conjunction with the Stafford railway Circle.

The response was a definite “yes”. As a result, plans were put in place to hold 3 x 1 hours sessions at the clubrooms in Stone on Wednesday evenings in October.

Peco very kindly donated some Ratio coal office kits and other materials were supplied from the club stock.

Seven members of the troop took part in this initial venture. None of us was really sure what to expect but any trepidation was soon overcome once the first session started.

In the first session, the participants were given an introduction to the kit and what we aimed to achieve and then work started in earnest by painting the kit whilst still attached to the sprue.

In the second session, the brickwork was tackled, along with the construction of the building.

The final session involved final detailing and the mounting of the completed building on a prepared foam base. The participants were then given a free reign to embellish their work with scenery.

Over the three sessions, the scouts took to the task with enthusiasm and the results were outstanding. On the evening following the second session, the club AGM was held and several members saw the semi completed kits and, even at that stage, commented that they would have no qualms about having them on their layouts! Praise indeed.

The whole process can be judged as a resounding success which achieved the objective of helping the scouts who attended to obtain their model making badge. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for both them and the club and it remains to be seen whether there will be sufficient interest to repeat it.

One of the participants, Connie, kindly wrote few words about the experience which are included below:

Each September the 4^th Stafford Scout Troop volunteer at the Stafford Railway Circle Model Railway show by helping to run the ticket desk and supporting the running of the show. Following this year’s show, a group of Scouts were invited back to the SRC headquarters to learn how the model railway scenery is made and complete their model maker badge.

Thanks to a donation of modelling kits from the Railway Modeller magazine, we were able to design and build our own model building. Over three weeks Nick from the Stafford Railway Circle supported the model building – the first week we painted our models, cutting them out and building the models the week after, and then mounding our models, creatively adding landscapes features on the final week. When the models were completed, Nick showed us some of the Railway Circle’s model railways designs.

After volunteering at the model railway show for the last three years it was interesting to see how much effort goes into making the models. Huge thanks to Nick and the Railway Modeller magazine for making it possible — and for helping us all earn our Model Maker badges!