Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our website visitors old and new.

The past year was a very quiet year for our small group, which is how we had planned it.  Highlight of the year modelling wise has been the introduction of Michaels' highly detailed micro-layout, Jacks Hill Loading Point 3, to the exhibition circuit.  This proved to be our only exhibition appearance of the year, one more than we had planned!

Over the year we have worked on changing Eagleshams' fiddle yards to turntables, and worked on some scenic details in readiness for its next appearance at the Bonnybridge show at the end of April 2019.  After this the layout will be taking a bit of a back seat whilst work progresses on Bill's new layout which will depict the Caley/LMS transition period, along with a 'what if' 1960's scenario, whichi imagines that neither Grouping nor Nationalisation took place, and the Caledonian started modernising its fleet...

Our next outing however is at the Preston show, March 2nd & 3rd 2019 with Milton Street MPD, and we hope Spencer will be fit to join us whilst we play with his layout (and to stop Joe putting diesels on it).  Just before Christmas we built up the 2 main boards of Milton Street to shake down any problems that have arisen whilst its been in storage.  We have 2 months to work away getting it ready for Preston.  

Meanwhile, Spencers' improving health has massively boosted his modelling mojo and he's is 'champing at the bit' to focus solely on his new layout. Muir Street, which has had more design changes than grains of sand in the Sahara (Joe has obviously had an influence there...)!  This will be a simple layout, but very effective at the same time, Spencer has been beavering away at the main scenic feature, a 6ft long tenement.

Michael has obtained planning consent for a new layout, set on the Irish Border, more details will be forthcoming as the layout planning continues, but if its half as detailed as Jacks Hill Loading Point 3 is, it'll be a cracker.  To be sure. 

Construction of Seething Lane was initially beset with baseboard frame problems, so a radical redesign was undertaken, and a new (to us) method of construction has been followed, which has proven to be both solid and stable, and one that will be followed on Bill's next layout, and possibly future layouts from the rest of us.

Joe, now that his layout is wired and working, is working away on stock for Seething Lane, which is a slow process since the majority of stock is kit-built or modified RTR.

Sadly, one of our founding members, Keith, has left our group so we are back down to 4 members. 

Overall, the highlight of the year, has been the continuing return to health for Spencer, much to our relief.  Welcome back Spencer, we think...!

We wish you a happy and prosperous 2019.

Bill, Joe, Michael & Spencer
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12AD Model Railway Group