We have, for a number of years, been recognised as an Area Group of the Scalefour Society and our P4 exhibition layout Woolworth Road (currently undergoing a major rebuild) was an entry in the 1883 competition and was shown at Scaleforum 2008. In its original form it can also be seen on the Society’s website. We number about 16 members, the majority of whom come to our meetings on the second and fourth Monday evening of each month and most of whom belong to Scalefour and/or EMGS although there are one or two whose loyalties and interests sit firmly with either P4 or EM. Our single 00 finescale member keeps the peace when the discussion gets too lively! We still have room for new members and visitors are always welcome but, because of our location on an MOD base, we do need prior warning. Contact details are under Area Groups.
Because we also have a large EM membership we have recently become an Area Group of EMGS.
Our meetings, which are held at a Ministry of Defence establishment near Salisbury, had until recently become slightly repetitive – lots of tea, coffee and putting the world to rights with a bit of armchair modelling thrown in for good measure but nothing much actually happened. Fortunately we were all able to agree that our meetings needed a bit more structure so we have put together a programme for the next few months (It’s probably called re-branding in the real world). Our recently refurbished P4/EM/00 test track can now be put to much better use on a regular monthly basis with a skills based meeting in between.
Our first outing under the new programme was in late June. Five of us were royally entertained by Mike Day, Ivan Smith et al at the Southwark Bridge layout. I see that Mike Peascod has already given an account of his recent visit in Scalefour News 175 so I can but echo and agree with all his comments which exactly reflected our own warm welcome by our hosts.
We recently had a “soldering evening” and as part of our new programme we welcomed Geoff Kent on 28th November who showed us his skills in working with plasticard - nearly a full turnout of members on that occasion plus another six from Salisbury Model Railway Society and what an interesting and informative evening it was. Next meeting is on Monday 9th January – Wagon Building with kits kindly donated by Clive, one of our members.
Finally, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
Roger Howden
- Geoff Kent shows us how to work with Plasticard
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- ....and how it should be done.
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- Southwark Bridge station entrance
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- The fiddle yard takes up much of Mike Day's garage
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