Arrival of a train from Lynton (WHAT?) at Uivernest. the Baldwin and its long carriages just managed the curve:
A Moës diesel by Jan van Mourik at work on Uivernest.
Busy time at the brickworks on Nixnie:
Video:
ExpoNG, Swanley, 31st of October, 2015
On October 31st, Jan van Mourik, Lucien Eijdems (accompanied by his partner Esther) and myself visited ExpoNG. This time there seemed to be more model railways than usual, an excellent show. Jan and I nearly missed the ferry at Dunkirk, as the shore personnel had forgotten us - we were in a queue for the next boat due to delays during checking in. When they had located us, I went up the loading ramp like the proverbial rocket and the ferry left without further delay.
The Reinier Hendriksen Trophy was awarded to John Bruce, for Wherewithial Quay.
Wherewithial Quay (John Bruce):
Isle Ornsay (Tom Dauben):
Evaleight Railway (Sussex Downs Group):
Photos - Jan
Photos - Ted
Video:
On Sunday, Jan and myself visited the steam gala at the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway (BWLR). Just after 12 a thick fog rolled in and hid the trains at anything over 100 yards. You could hear them in the distance before they burst out of the fog, swathed in vapour. After dark, the rolling stock was shunted away and the locos were put in their stalls one by one, a wonderful sight.
Photos - Jan
Photos - Ted
Video BWLR par 1:
Video BWLR part 2:
On Monday, Jan and I visited the Chatham dockyard, again in the fog. Here is a lot of railway interest apart from the shipping and naval history. From there we drove to Dover. On the ferry we had dinner, then we continued to Bergen op Zoom where I dropped Jan off at his home, then I continued to Leiden myself. From Antwerp to Rotterdam there was another dense fog, but then things started clearing up...
This steam crane could be photographed without the attendant parked cars, after Jan had pushed them away...
Photos - Ted
Photos - Jan
Smalspoormodeldagen Valkenburg, Stoomtrein Katwijk-Leiden September 2015
There was a limited representation by the Dutch Group at Valkenburg this time, due to other shows being held at the same time. There was just myself exhibiting Dunalistair, although I was supported by Bert van Rhijn and Dick van Beek. Otherwise there was an excellent narrow gauge layout selection: Im Westen nichts neues….. Oder? (Roel Oosterop), Rotbacherwaldbahn (Don & Val Sibley), DDR (Huub Cörvers & Johan Langhorst), Zwaaghoek (Ton Janssen), Mara Harbor (Martin Welberg), Doarginder (Gerbrand Haans), Kennesaw GA 1863 (Ronald Halma), S.P. Oorgidee (Erik Mosterd), Sigman Yard (Johan & Coen van Hasselt - ) en RhB in H0m (Modelgroep Swiss Trak). And naturally we had the traditional dinner in the works hall, followed by the steam train round the lake in the setting sun.
Once again at Valkenburg: SP Orgidee by Erik Mosterd.
Video:
Dutch Group excursion to the RTM steam tram museum, 12-9-2015
On September 12, 2015, we visited the RTM steam tram museum at Ouddorp. That Saturday was a national Museum Open Day and the RTM ran steam and diesel trams for the occasion. The weather was excellent and we had a very good time on the steam and diesel services. We had cab rides on the diesel trams - the M1804 having mechanical transmission and the M67 a diesel-electri drive. The RTM line is several miles long and they run at considerable speed, about 20mph on solid but slightly uneven track. Their rolling stock collection is extensive and very much worth viewing. We will certainly be back one day.
Having a chat with the volunteer crew before departure on the diesel service:
Photos
Video:
Günther Poppe's Spiekeroog in H0m, juli 2015
During our sailing holiday to the German Frisian islands in July we visited Spiekeroog, which once had a metre gauge railway collecting ferry passengers from a jetty in the middle of the mud flats, taking them to the main village in the island. The Inselbahn Spiekeroog was shut down in 1980, but Hans-Günther Poppe kept its memory alive with a very nice model railway in H0m. To my surprise I found this in the 'Kogge', the village community centre of Spiekeroog, when we were berthed in the shallow harbour. So I made a photo and video report.
Spiekeroog station in H0m:
Photos:
Photos:
Video:
Sussex Downs Group Open Day, Lancing, 30-3-2015
On March 30th, 2015, I was invited by Martin Collins to attend the Sussex Downs 009 Group open day at Lancing near Brighton, with my small demo layout Nixnie. I had a warm welcome by Simon and Heather Wilson who gave me lodgings - many thanks for that! The weather was terrible, but the show was excellent and I even was invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Group in their clubroom, a converted hay loft in the wilds of the Sussex Downs!
My Darjeeling 'B' class on 'Ghum' by Phil Savage, modelled after an actual Darjeeling Railway location:
My photos
Michael Campbell's photos
Video:
Ontraxs, Netherlands Railway Museum, Utrecht, March 6-8, 2015
Members of the Dutch Group were present at Ontraxs, Netherlands Railway Museum, Utrecht, March 6-8, 2015. Layouts shown by Dutch Group members were Daheeme (Michael Staats), Doarginder (Gerbrand Haans), and Yurze Ore Mine (Lucien Eijdems).
From Britain there were three narrow gauge layouts - Paradise Mining Co (1:25) by Christopher Payne, Hook Basin in Gn15 by Richard Williams, and the Orange River & Pacific in Fn3 scale (1:20.23). There were several new layouts I never saw before, from this country and abroad. There seemed to be more narrow gauge than ever - I only looked at one standard gauge layout (Vallescura) which was from Italy, with a beautifully made town scene.
Yurze Ore Mine, a tribute to Carl Arendt, by Lucien Eijdems. Photos and video of the show are under the buttons below.
Tom Dauben's photos
Rijswijk model railway show, January 17/18, 2015
Members of the Dutch Group were present at the Rijswijk, Netherlands, show of January 17/18, 2015. Layouts shown by Dutch Group members were The Corn Mill, by Henk Wust, Derk Huisman and John & Jane Jacobs, and Irgendwo, by Gerbrand Haans.
From Britain there were two narrow gauge layouts - Sutton Wharf in 1:22.5 by Christopher Payne and Ramma Wood in 0-9 by Simon Andrews. Other well-known narrow gauge layouts: Java 1946 in 0e by Paul de Groot and Mara Harbor by Martin Welberg, a Maine-style 0n30 layout. In addition, René Paul's 'Herberts Crossing', in 0n30, and Hugo Baart's H0e layout 'De Niggende Saligheyd'. In addition there were a great number of interesting standard gauge layouts.
The Corn Mill, by Henk Wust, Derk Huisman and John & Jane Jacobs. Photos and video of the show are under the buttons below.
Spiekeroog in reality
Video 1:
Video 2