Latest News Report - 20 March 2012

GROUP TRACK - 'Garden of England Railway'

During February and March as small group of members, under the direction of Martin Cook, met in a very cold Ladies Changing room at Milton Regis Bowl Club to carry out alteration to the track we acquired last year. Our thanks to those who took part and to the Bowls Club for allowing us use of this room, during their closed season.

About three-quarters of the track can be erected in the room and left in place between working days, which was around one a week. The work included alterations to the track plan to include more storage lines, some painting including an area for the school building to include a playground behind a stone wall - supplied by Alan Jones of Pendlebury Model Buildings (www.pendleburymodels.com). The groups original Station has been positioned on the rear of the layout to serve the outside track. The track was removed from the Bowl Club on Sunday 18 March so that the ladies can have their changing room back for the opening of the season. Work still to be undertaken included some electrical wiring to connect up the alteration and it now has two tracks which means that both DCC and analogue can be run. If a venue can be found big enough - and cheap enough! - to put the whole track up, a day sorting out the scenery to decide what goes where.

Martin is also arranging to transfer the track from the trailer that came with it, to the groups larger trailer, which will need some alterations to accommodate the track securely

It is hoped that the 'Garden of England Railway' might once again be able to visit other groups, but one of the restrictions at the moment is that we know of only one member with a tow bar and so are dependent on them being available - and willing - to transport the trailer. If any one else can help occasional they can contact Martin Cook at martinelizabeth.cook@btinternet.com