Leamington Spa the Model

I have meant to write this for some time but have never quite got round to it but having blown another £40 Zimo chip I think its time.  So here we go  – at all the shows and talks I’ve been too I have never heard this piece of advice. There is a real problem with white metal locos  – in my case DJH Brits and 9Fs. Take it from me CHIPS DO NOT LIKE WHITE METAL.  Here’s what happens -  the DJH locos have very little room in the fire box for the motor, so when it runs the contacts touch the top inside of the loco and bang NO CHIP left . To avoid this you MUST place a piece of plastic card in the box NOT tape as this will wear out and not stop it -  as I’ve  now found out  five times and learnt the hard way!

Here for all to enjoy is our Class 27 as weathered by Roger Manton. Nice one Dodger.

Its taken a time but at last my first 20 is running on Leamington with a few more to follow. Yes Blue is the colour! This is our JLTRT Kit.

Heres the first photo for some time of the railnuts who are building Leamington

The class 37 was built painted and weathered by Roger Manton full sound and lights. It runs as good as it looks.This is for me as I named the loco way back then and yes i like the EWS livery ! Earl of Mount Edgcome is new to Leamington built by Paul Hanna painted by Conrad Cooper and weatherd by Fred Lewis.

We have started the big job – Leamington Spa General station. Heres a card mock up of the station. This gives us a view of the scale of the task and allows us to look at it and work out the best way to approach it and also to see where we will  have to make compromises.

We have a pair of our own built teaks for sale as the customer has not been back in touch so here they are they are TO D186 and a CK D130 both with full detail.Teaked by me and built by Dave Burns There £400 each they will be on show at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday, They are stunning.THANKS NOW SOLD JAN 13 2010.

The last but one Hall 4901 of Wolverhampton runs up the bank. Coventry two 2-6-0s also on the bank these will go for weathering in he new year. Mike has been working on the bank as we had lost some of the green out of the grass.

If you went to the NEC this weekend then you will have your own thoughts but here’s mine.  This was my 34th show, and for me one of the best,  in fact I think it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. The layout this year was great and some of the overseas layouts were fantastic. There was a far better balance on the trade side as there generally seems to be a better quality amongst them. The crowd was great and again there appeared to be a better balance between those who are there to grab the discounts and the people looking to see what was on offer. This is our Nataonal show and should be our calling card, and I have to say it did us proud this year. On a personal note can I thank all those who stopped by to give their kind comments about what I’m doing for the railway and modelling. Your support is much appreciated

Just a quick view of the new Class 27