Scalefour Forum

The EM Gauge Society and the Scalefour Society are pleased to present
A Railway Modelling Skills Day
A very special event incorporating the EMGS 7th Chris Kedgley Memorial Skills Day - Saturday March 14th 2020
Didcot Civic Hall - 11.00am to 4.00pm

THE LARGEST SKILLS DAY TO DATE


We are pleased to announce that the EM Gauge Society and the Scalefour Society are holding in March 2020, another ‘Skills Day’ event. This is the first one to take place in this region and builds on the successful formula of an informal, informative gathering of modellers. As in previous years, the EMGS involvement is again being funded by the bequest of Chris Kedgley, former Chairman of the EM Gauge Society and active member of the Scalefour Society who passed away in June 2013.
Didcot is a famous railway town with Didcot Parkway Railway Station being within walking distance of the Civic Hall. Even in March, for a weekend break the area has much to offer railway enthusiasts, Didcot Railway Centre is within walking distance while Pendon Museum at Long Wittenham is only a couple of miles distant.
As ever, the emphasis will be on ‘showing and telling’ and so will feature around eighteen experienced modellers demonstrating a wide range of skills and a variety of innovative techniques. All this will be supported by an expected total of six quality layouts to inspire you and illustrate some of these methods in practice.

Date: Saturday March 14th 2020
Location: Didcot Civic Hall, Britwell Road, Didcot OX11 7JN
Web: https://www.didcotcivichall.co.uk
Opening Times: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Admission: Entry is free, but donations are encouraged.
Catering: Teas and coffees will be available.
For lunch, a wide variety of hostelries and cafes are close at hand.

Layouts

o Brighton East (EM) – Dave Smith
o Cheddar (P4) – Chris Challis
o Edge Hill (EM) - Paul Segar
o Great Bardfield (P4) – David Hawkins
o Lower Exbury (P4)- Alison and David Barker
o Westcliff (EM) – Richard Butler

Demonstrations

o Painting & Lining – Geoff Haynes
o Ready to Run Locomotive Conversion – Mike Ainsworth
o Scenics - Paul Ash
o Weathering Techniques - Mick Bonwick (Great Missenden)
o Alex Jackson & Dingham Auto couplings – David Bridges
o Laser Cutting Techniques – Johnathan Buckie
o Templot – Phil Chudley
o Coaches – Philip Hall
o Painting & Lining – Geoff Haynes
o Trees – Ray Hodson
o Weathering Diesel period stock – Peter Johnson
o Not all wagons are the same – Duncan Redford
o Soldering - Roger Sawyer
o Trackwork – Phil Tattershall
o Wagon Suspension & Springing Systems – Andrew Ullyott
o Loco Clinic – Tim Venton
o Architectural Modelling – Grahame Vickery
o Electronics – MERG

The EMGS Test Track will be in attendance and will be situated adjacent to Tim Venton’s stand.

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

This event is being organised by the various area groups in the South and South West of England of the EM Gauge Society http://www.emgs.org and the Scalefour Society http://scalefour.org/

Contact: Tony Sullivan, Email: mnw1919@gmail.com

The Gremlins have crept in

We do not have two Geoff Haynes coming!!

But, we do have David Brandreth doing "Resistance Soldering"

Apologies also to Mr Buckie for spelling his Christian name incorrectly (the first "h" is incorrect)

Credits to Philip Hall and others for letting me know

Tony Sullivan

Pencilled in the diary. The last skills day I made it along to (Kiddeminster) was excellent.

The biggest Skills Day just got a little bit bigger

We had nobody demonstrating the modelling of Signals

We have now.... Mark Tatlow has just thrown his hat in the ring after I promised him unlimited supplies of Tea!

However, that's it now I've run out of tables!

Tony Sullivan

Tony Sullivan wrote:Mark Tatlow has just thrown his hat in the ring after I promised him unlimited supplies of Tea!

Every one has a price!

This is a couple of weeks away, and I will be there on the loco clinic.

Looking forward to an enjoyable day

Tony Sullivan wrote:Didcot is a famous railway town with Didcot Parkway Railway Station being within walking distance of the Civic Hall. Even in March, for a weekend break the area has much to offer railway enthusiasts, Didcot Railway Centre is within walking distance while Pendon Museum at Long Wittenham is only a couple of miles distant.

A few more pointers to local interest here: http://www.penbits.co.uk/Content/Links.html#Wittenham.

I'll be on the bike - 15 mins (or about an hour's walk) along Sustrans 5 to Long Wittenham.

Looking forward to it.

"Keep calm, and carry on".

I would be surprised if cancellation were to become appropriate between now and the end of the week.

The government seems to be taking a measured approach to the problem.

A different approach might be required to large-scale events taking in place in April or later (although that depends on how things develop between now and then).

In the meantime, it seems to me that the only people who ought to consider staying at home next Saturday are those in the most vulnerable groups, i.e. over-80s and/or those with underlying health conditions or who are undergoing medical treatment that has the effect of suppressing their immune system.

I am planning to attend this day - I live quite locally in Wantage. I note that there is no area group covering South Oxfordshire - the nearest to me being Risborough. I was wondering if the presence of this meeting may mean there are a sufficient number of members in the area to warrant one(?) I have not participated in any area group - but a chance for the occasional meet up would be welcome. I would be happy to at least contact anyone interested.

Careful Gareth I did that once - ended up as co-ordinator of an area group

Tim V wrote:Careful Gareth I did that once - ended up as co-ordinator of an area group

So did I and now there’s an Area Group near where I live

I’ll send you a list of members near to your postcode and then maybe you can see if there’s any interest?

Steve

GarethSmith wrote:I note that there is no area group covering South Oxfordshire

Hi Gareth. There is such a group, it's the North Bucks, coordinated by Mike 'Masokits' Clark. Understandable that you missed us - we really ought to get something done about the name, all those resident in North Bucks having abandoned us years ago for the northern territories. The remaining active members are on an Oxford - Newbury axis (apart from one, who happens to be coordinator of the Risborough AG). Coincidentally we've just had a running session on a layout in Long Wittenham this evening (no, not that one - this one is to gauge!).

Anyway, be that as it may, hopefully we can meet up for a chat on Saturday and see what develops. All being well both Mike and I will be there; I'll try to remember a name badge, failing that ask any of the demonstrators who've posted above to point us out. New blood in the group would be very welcome, the aforementioned exodus has left us fairly thin on the ground.

Thanks for the update Ian. I also missed that North Bucks AG covered South Oxfordshire Sorry.

Sounds like a potential solution for Gareth?

Hope to see you on Saturday.

Steve

Thanks Ian.
I will look out for you on Saturday.
Gareth

I suppose many of us are thinking this..........

Is there any threat to the Skills day this Saturday given the current viral skirmishes? Cheers

I am down to be demonstrating Resistance Soldering but regret I have had to withdraw from the day. I have picked up a streaming nose and cough (we are pretty sure it is not The Virus) and in the current circumstances my doctor has advised me to stay at home.

As of now the Skills Day is still ON

However. we have lost two demonstrators and possibly one layout because of people who are unwell (including David B above )

I am keeping everything crossed and hope to lots of you there tomorrow

regards

Tony Sullivan

Have just confirmed with David Hawkins that he is unable to bring "Great Bardfield" because he is unwell. Paul Ash who was doing scenics has also withdrawn as he is a Carer for an elderly relative.

Tony Sullivan

mkfuzzhead wrote:I suppose many of us are thinking this..........

Is there any threat to the Skills day this Saturday given the current viral skirmishes? Cheers

This question could be applied to any of the forthcoming shows: ExpoEM, RailEx, etc

Just returned from the day, despite our fears, it was a good turnout.

Many thanks to those who gave their time and expertise to demonstrate a few of their skills and pass on some tips today,
I picked up a few pointers that will be useful.
As someone who has preferred self isolation before it became fashionable rather than join a local area it was nice to see something physically done rather than just read about it.

GH

Just a short note to say thanks to the organisers, layout operators and demonstrators at the Skills Day today. I picked up lots of good tips and procedural advice.

Again guys, many thanks!

From me as well, very many thanks to all involved with putting on an excellent event. I went hoping to pick up some ideas for solving some of my problems and came away with those and quite a number of extra items as well.

Roll on the next one! (The hunt starts for topics to bring.)

I thought it was brilliant! Very busy when I got there, plenty to engage everyone's taste. Edge Hill was superb! Looking forward to another.

Mike