Tuesday 7th January '25. Our first meeting of the year was quite well attended and Swaleford saw more scenic work carried out. While on Godinton further conductor rail was installed and more track ballasting undertaken. OSP's loco shed welding simulator module was replaced.
Tuesday 14th January '25. OSP had mile and gradient posts installed around the layout and then it was temporarily connected together to test the electrics and all was found to be working correctly. Over on Swaleford, the rear backscene boards were first time installed and the low relief buildings all placed in position. Godinton had the final ballasting completed on one board and another board had full board lengths of conductor rail installed along the two main line tracks.
Tuesday 21st January '25. Ospringe St Peters & Water Lane had the layout examined in preparedness for exhibition this weekend at Thamesmead.
Godinton, Conductor rail was completed on Board 5, Trackwork on board 2 had ballasting through points etc as well as cleaning ballast off of rail flanges.
Member's may be interested know that Godinton has already constructed and ready for installing onto the base board once the track work and conductor rail are fully installed, we have ready scenery for: Church and Churchyard. Allotments. Backboards Board 3 & Board 4. Refurbished BWJ Shops/Houses/Pub. Station Building/Platform Access Stairs/Overbridge. Platforms and Canopies. Goods shed. Cattle Dock. Weighbridge and Office. Ramshackle Building and Road Incline to overbridge.
Godinton work just started or about to commence: Loco-shed. Bus Depot. Low Relief Sloping Shops. Housing Estate. Farm yard - Oast House in planning stage
Plus other items such as a Water Tower, Signal Box, Mess Coach etc all salvaged from BWJ to be used.
Swaleford saw more scenery work continued.
Oare & Uplees had touching up scenery disturbed whilst changing a pair of OO9 points.
NOTE: The Club is arranging a trip to the Alexandra Palace Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday March 15th. Club will pay cost on Coach travel. Entrance Fee is £17.00 See this page
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January '25 saw our Ospringe St Peters and Water Lane N gauge layout taken to the Erith Model Railway Societies Thamesmead Exhibition.
Below are some pictures taken of the layout and club member operators on the Saturday.
Tuesday 28th January '25. It was a running evening with a crowded Club Room. Our OO Thomas was set up and several members ran their Christmas purchases. Swaleford was also put up and ran trains as required. A wiring loom is being made to connect to the houses on the back scene. After a successful weekend at the Erith MR Exhibition Ospringe St Peters came back to the workbench as the only problem was the Turntable did not work. After checking all the wiring etc. at the end of the evening the problem still had not been resolved. On Godinton, Conductor rail continued to be installed on Board 2 on the long curves, this should be completed next week leaving one board to fit. Oare and Uplees was not erected.
The Coach going to Alexandra Palace for the Model Railway Exhibition is filling fast, contact the Peter Newman at club if you wish to purchase a seat.
Thank you Chairman Bob for this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 4th February '25. Another busy night at our meeting this week. Work was undertaken on the following layouts: Godinton - Installation continued on baseboard two of laying conductor rail and a discussion took place on what is to be put on the farmyard. Swaleford - work continued making the wiring loom for lighting of the houses and shops on the back scene. To improve the stability of the baseboards another trestle is being made making four in all. Work was also undertaken on improving the bank and trees. Ospringe St Peters - following a successful weekend at Erith a repair was done on the big board of a broken wire stopping a pair of points from working, a fault still remains on the turntable. Three members are working on it over the weekend to identify the fault, repair or purchase a new part is allow the turntable to work. Oare and Uplees - It is being exhibited next month and minor faults are being resolved to ensure a faultless Day.
There are still seats available on the coach taking members to Ally Pally, if you wish to go please contact Peter Newman at the club.
Thank you Chairman Bob for this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 11th February '25. A well attended meeting last night. Work was undertaken on the following layouts:-
Swaleford, the wiring loom for the lighting of buildings next to backboards has been completed and tested. All in working order. Photograph's have been taken and when agreed which ones to use they will be made into 3ft lengths. Oare and Uplees had its baseboard painted grey and we were informed that before Oare goes to Aylesham next month it will also be able to run DCC. Ospringe St Peters, over the weekend several members worked on the turntable fault. It was discovered that two wires had broken these were replaced and is now working order. Godinton, work continued to install conductor rail on Board 2.
The paperwork for the AGM on the 18th March was given to members present, and will be delivered / posted over the next few days. If you wish to stand for the committee, please complete the form and return it to the Club's Secretary by March 11th
Thank you Chairman Bob for this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 18th February '25. Again, a well-attended meeting. On Godinton, work continued installing the conductor rail on board 2. On Saturday 22/02 members will have a working day on Godinton with the layout being fully erected. Photographs will be taken during the day. Oare and Uplees, a switch and software has been installed to allow full DCC on the layout, and the layout is now in full working order. Swaleford, the layout was put up, clearance alterations have been made to the goods shed to allow a locomotive to run through the shed. A discussion took place on how the on board scenery will be positioned. Ospringe St Peters, No work on the layout, however it is being exhibited at Tenterden this weekend, pictures hopefully will be available after the event.
It was announced that one of our founder members, Brian Lambert has decided to retire. All members wish to thank him for his contribution to the club over the past 13 years and wish him well in the future.
Tuesday 25th February '25. A great response from the membership last night and we had a large number of members present. Last night being the last Tuesday it was running night. Thomas - was set up and members ran various models both as analogue on the inner circuit and DCC on the outer circuit. Swaleford was available to run and and members rain trains, scenery work was also carried out. Oare and Uplees was tested ready for the March 8th Exhibition at Aylesham It ran on DCC okay, but when it was switched to Analogue only the 009 section ran, suspected wiring fault in the Control Panel. Godinton A discussion took place on position of scenery, including raised placing the walkway inside the loco shed. The faults found last Saturday have been logged and recorded for being putting right. Finally, Ospringe returned following a successful weekend at Tenterden. However a serious failure between 2 boards meant only trains pulled by diesels could run, a new clip was fitted.
Tuesday 4th March '25. Another well attended meeting with members working on 3 layouts. Ospringe St Peters - The short on the track discovered last weekend has been rectified on the track, but not electronically tested. The track between 2 boards went out of alignment whilst at Thamesmead, this also has been rectified. Swaleford - A new chalk hill has been made and fitted by the over bridge, it has now been covered with grass. Godinton - Work has starting on rectifying the electrical problems found during the testing on the 22nd February. Point No's 258, 259, and 260 were working off the computer, but not on the control panel. Also some of the route lights were not changing. Work also continued of fitting the walk ways in the loco. A member is scratch building an Oasthouse for Thomas.
On Saturday 8th, 2 layouts namely our Thomas Themed, and Oare and Uplees will be exhibiting at Aylsham on a one day event, put on by EKMRC, three members are also acting as Stewards, we wish them a great day.
Tuesday 11th March '25. A well attended meeting saw members working on 3 layouts. Ospringe St Peters - Was tested electrically and a fault rectified. Train spotters fitted on end of platform, and a fouling telegraph pole repositioned. Swaleford - A new brick wall was erected around the new chalk cliff. Thomas Themed - At the exhibition at Aylsham on Saturday there was movement of new scenery, which was either the new Tunnel or a building construction site, this was worked on and it was found to be the new tunnel was unstable this is being repaired before it's next outing.
The Club hopes those going to Alexandra Palace on Saturday 15th enjoy the day out.
Tuesday 18th March '25. It was the club Annual General Meeting (AGM) evening and was well attended. Club Secretary Colin Hudson opened the meeting by welcoming all present and took note of any apologies of absence of which there were two, after last year’s minutes were accepted, Chairman Bob Bushell presented his report on the past year’s activities. Club Treasurer Kelvin Inge gave two reports to the membership, one showing the 2024 Exhibition cost and income, and then a general club report for the year 2024.
We then came down to election of Officers for 2025/26 The current Chairperson Bob Bushell, Secretary Colin Hudson, and Treasurer Kelvin Inge were re-elected unopposed. As there were 2 nominees for the position of Vice Chairperson this resulted in a secret ballot. The nominees were Graham Church and Carole Inge. The result of the ballot that Carole Inge was elected as Vice Chair.
During the tea break a second secret ballot took place to elect 3 Committee Members from 4 nominees, these were Peter Newman, Graham Church, Derek Waldron, and Glen Baldock, the result of the second secret ballot was that Peter Newman, Derek Waldron, and Glen Baldock were elected to serve on the committee for the coming year.
In any other Business Bill Robertson had sent an email asking various questions raising various points about Swaleford, its readiness, and suitability for this year’s exhibition, many of these points had been answered in the Chairpersons report. A discussion took place, that it was pointed out that Swaleford is in a better state than some of the layouts at Ally Pally last weekend, rolling stock would be available from the club. There is still over 20 Tuesdays before the end of August and members were reminded that the layout is for all, and on running nights ask how the panel works and have a go. A suggestion from member that we should alternate running nights so we would always have a layout running each week. Doug Attwood raised a point that did we need a Vice Chairperson. This will be discussed at a Management Committee meeting before next year’s AGM. Finally, the Chairman advised the meeting that we may be asked to assist in building a simple model layout at a new care home being built by Avante Care and Support who advertise in our exhibition programme. Many of the residents are likely to retired railway staff from Margate and Ramsgate.
A sincere vote of thanks came from the floor to Brian Lambert for his service to the club being a founder member, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Exhibition Manager and Web Administrator was carried unanimously.
Tuesday 25th March '25. It was a running night and the meeting was well attended, members were able to run loco's and other stock on Ospringe St Peters, Thomas themed, and Swaleford although this was marred by electrical problems with 2 pairs of points intermittently not making connection.
Over on Godinton, the building of the Bus garage continued, and further scenery work has been allocated to members to build.
The crates that hold Godinton were measured by the layout captain, to ascertain the space needed to transport the layout to venues when ready.
The club's test track was being tested and all worked well except the OO gauge DCC controller failed to stop a loco when it was given the command STOP. Other members discussed matters of interest including two steam hauled trains in Kent this week.
Tuesday 1st April '25. It was a well attended meeting with three new prospective members attending. Work continued on two layouts - Godinton:The walkways in the loco shed were painted, and a trial of spray painting of the track with a can of Burnt Earth was successful. It was discovered that three pairs of points need some ballast infill, which will be undertaken next week. Ospringe St Peters: Although no work was carried out, it was agreed that they would start next week to lay track in the new fiddle yard where the boards come together, then plan how the rest of the fiddle yard can be populated with nine points donated points. Swaleford:The layout continues each week to show new scenery appearing, a wood yard has been installed and the station masters house has been fitted with lights. The defective pair of points (reported last week) seems to have self rectified! No work was undertaken on Thomas or Oare this week
The club wishes to thank Dave Stanley for fitting the hasp and clasp to our new cupboard.
Tuesday 8th April '25. A busy night for club members with work being carried on 3 layouts. Godinton:The trackwork on boards 4 & 5 was spray painted with dark earth colour, so as the track looks like its well weathered and on board 2 some points needed an infill of ballast. Swaleford:The street and station lighting although tested, needs to be connected to the layout power supply, this was started and will continue next week. Ospringe St Peters: Preparation has begun on the lower station board to receive a small fiddle yard that will be attached to that board. No work was undertaken on Thomas and Oare and Uplees.
Two members have shown an interest in the electronics on Godinton and some tuition was given by Derek Waldron.
An announcement was made by the Chairman following decisions taken at the last AGM and the following committee meeting. The running night, which up to now has been held on the last Tuesday of the month, is being changed to one layout operational each week on a rotation basis. The idea is that this will allow members to see how the control panel operates on each layout and how to operate them, so when layouts are invited to attend an exhibition we will have a pool of members who can operate them.
On Tuesday 22nd April Godinton will be erected in its entirety, to show members progress with some scenery added and what needs to be done electronically.
Tuesday 15th April '25. Another well attended meeting. Work was carried out on two layouts. Godinton - The 3 boards that were track spray painted last week had the railheads cleaned of paint while being careful not to damage the conductor rail or point blades. The loco shed walkways received another coat of paint. Derek continued to show members how the CBUS system works on Godinton. Swaleford - The layout was erected and after testing with loco's a wiring fault developed on the loco shed line leading to the turntable. The rails leading up to the loco shed were live and the line on the turntable was also live, but the line through the loco was dead. Investigations are on going.
A notice asking for Tombola prizes for our September Exhibition was posted asking if members can start bringing in new items from around £2 or above.
Tuesday 22nd April '25. Godinton was put up in its entirety to allow members to view what scenery was available when placed in their final positions. So no other layouts were erected. The meeting was well attended, and some members were surprised to see just how much scenery had been made at home by a few members.
The scenery on show was a church with a wedding going on, a small estate of houses, goods shed, loco shed, builders yard, bus garage, coal depot and a farm house where the farm yard will be located. Platform ends were put in place, due to its fragility the station which is over 4ft long was not brought in, however photo's were available showing the 1930's style building, and houses attached to a back board. Speaking to members, they gave a favourable response, and that once finished it will be another layout suitable for exhibitions. It is planned for its first public viewing will be our exhibition in September 2026.
Click on any image to enlarge it
Tuesday 29th April '25. Tonight was running evening and Thomas was put up for members to run or test their rolling stock.
Work continued on the following layouts:- Ospringe and St Peters: a fault has developed with the station lighting and was investigated, it was found to be under the station canopy. Having found the problem a way of fixing it is causing a problem without dismantling the whole station building.
Swaleford: work continued on finding a way to attach a two track fiddle yard. A new brick bridge will be added with a small amount of scenery beyond to disguise the fiddle yards entrance from the viewing area. Godinton: On Board 3 the trackwork was spray painted while on Boards 2 & 5 the paintwork was touched up as required and on Board 6 the siding was extended. On the electrical side, checking the software between the laptop and the front control panel was started and although not yet complete, the results were of a positive nature. Ospringe St Peters: will be exhibited along with others in the Guildhall Faversham over the weekend 17/18th May. Celebrating 200 years of the birth of the railways as part of the Transport Festival weekend in the town.
Tuesday 6th May '25. Our meeting was held with a reduced number attending than on previous meeting evenings, however a lot of work was achieved.
Ospringe: The lighting fault under the station canopy was repaired, and other lighting faults were identified. They are to be looked at next week, as the layout is being displayed in Faversham Guildhall on 17/18th May. Godinton: Boards two and six trackwork was spray painted, which now means all the front boards have been completed. A minor repair to a conductor rail was also carried out. Slow progress was made in identifying the software around what modules are talking to the control panel via the laptop. Swaleford: The layout was erected and houses placed on the back scene, a discussion took place around what needs to be done with the additional fiddle yard. Thomas: A new scenic pod is being built around an Oast house and a discussion took place on the other components to be added to this scene. Due to lack of space a hop garden is not feasible, so a suggestion was that it be a farmyard with a tractor and trailer carrying hops to the Oast.
Tuesday 13th May '25. The meeting was well attended and work was carried on three layouts. Godinton: The rail tops were cleaned following spray painting and the conductor rails had white paint applied onto the ramp ends. On the electrical side, work is progressing on Boards 1 and 4 and the control panel is now working with those boards, when pressing the relevant button the points operate correctly and route lights come alight. Ospringe St Peters: Further investigation as to why a set of points operate when the lights switch on was rectified, but additional work needs to undertaken before it fixed completely. Swaleford: Work was stated to move the motor of the turntable to a more favourable position No work on Thomas or Oare and Uplees.
The Treasurer is ordering club shirts etc. and will be submitting the order after next weeks meeting, please let him know your requirements ASAP.
Over the weekend 17/18 May '25. A small model railway exhibition was held in the Guildhall Faversham, to celebrate 200 years with coming of the railway in Britain and was held as part of Faversham's Festival of Transport weekend. Five layouts were present, representing 5 era's, these were the start of railways, Victorian times, Ospringe St peters was exhibited covering the 'Big Four' from 1923 to 1948, another layout covering British Railways and finally a layout covering todays railways.
Over the two days, several hundred people visited, and our layout - Ospringe St Peter, received complements ranging from good to excellent. We handed out leaflets advertising our exhibition in September with positive vibes that many will attend, especially young families to see Thomas on our Thomas themed layout.
Below: Ospringe St Peters and other layouts on show at the Faversham Guildhall for the Transport weekend.
Tuesday 20th May '25. A very well attended meeting, with a prospective new member, who came along following our weekend in the Guildhall, Faversham. Work progressed on the following layouts, Ospringe St Peters: The lighting circuits were examined to determine why a pair of points move when the lights are switched on. To solve this feedback issue it is intended to give all the lighting its own power with an on/off switch to control the lighting. Swaleford: An overhaul of the electrical circuits was conducted and a turning area for buses is starting to take shape. Although Thomas was not put up, its scenery work continued, with a shed to hold farm equipment being started. Godinton: Boards 2,3 & 4 track was resprayed and the railheads cleaned of paint spray. The conductor rail was touched up to represent it being covered in de-icing fluid. On the electrical side, board 6 has now been adjusted so as all items on that board respond to the control panel.
The Exhibition is approaching fast. Can you donate a Tombola Prize please? If so, please ensure it is more than a pound in value and then bring it along and give to Peter Newman, who is in overall charge of Tombola prizes.
Tuesday 27th May '25. A good cross section of the membership was present and it was running night using our Thomas Themed OO layout. Work was carried on Ospringe St Peters: Due to the problems with the lighting, a separate switch has been installed to control the lighting on the layout. Unfortunately, when tested, only half of the lights worked so fault finding continues along with testing of circuits. Godinton: Track spraying and cleaning of the rail heads continued on Boards 2 & 6 which are now complete. Board 3 was worked on electrically and now the control panel works correctly with the points on the layout. Swaleford: Due to a number of electrical faults found on the layout, electrical testing was started, working across all the circuits, starting from one end of the layout. Scenery was worked on with skewing of a bridge. Thomas: Was erected and members ran a variety of Loco's and Rolling Stock. A new farmyard is being constructed with one member constructing a farm machinery barn.
Club members were saddened to learn that Trevor Coleman had passed away. His funeral was held on the 28th May, as a mark of respect four of the clubs committee attended to say farewell.
Tuesday 3rd June '25. Another well attended meeting and work was carried out on these layouts. Ospringe & St Peters: The lighting fault has been rectified, caused by two wires being the wrong way around. Fitting of resisters to limit the flow of electrical current. Godinton: Installation of inspection pit flooring also electrical testing on front board 4 was carried out. Swaleford: Work continued with the installation of a new road bridge to disguise the split from the turntable board and fiddle sidings. Thomas: Was erected to test a crossover that failed last week, however, when powered up it worked normally. Oare and Uplees: Problems with the DCC operation within the Control Panel has occurred, so the panel has been taken home to test and rectify.
Click on any image to enlarge it
Tuesday 10th June '25 There was no work undertaken on layouts tonight, as we could not initially get into the main storage cupboard, due to a loss of power to the roller door! We did managed to get the roller shutter open manually and it was then discovered that the electrical socket in the cupboard was dead. So it was a discussion evening.
Kelvin issued out shirts etc that club members had ordered.
Tuesday 17th June '25. A well-attended meeting meant that work was undertaken on several layouts. Godinton: Work was carried out on the installation of the pits and walkways inside and outside of the loco shed. Investigation is ongoing on how to repair a damaged point, number 255 right hand switch blade is damaged.
Ospringe St Peters: The lighting problem of the station lights is more serious than first thought which meant the removal of the station canopy that also allowed detailed scenery under the roof to be repaired. Swaleford: A brick wall has been built around the turntable and the point motor for the turntable access has been repositioned. Minor scenery alterations were made to allow the positioning of the new bridge.
A survey was undertaken by committee member DW on what sort of layout is needed for DCC running in the future.
Measurements were taken for shelving in the two new cupboards we purchased.
Tuesday 24th June '25. A well-attended meeting saw numerous activities taking place. Godinton: The switch blade on 255 points that had become detached has been rectified, with the aid of a jig made to hold the switch rail place whilst a small amount of solder secured the break. This will be tested on the 2nd August, under running conditions, if the repair will not hold a replacement point will be available. Test Track: Instructions were given on how the DCC tracks operate in preparation for the forthcoming two-day exhibition. Ospringe St Peters: The equipment needed to repair the light fault on the station canopy only arrived late today, so this will be untaken next week. There is also a fault on the church lighting, this will also need replacing. (The vicar has started a collection from the congregation to help paying for his, he has also received a grant from the bishop). Swaleford: The layout was put up with scenery to allow photos to be taken, some minor scenery work was undertaken and discussion as to how we can fill in the gaps between the boards. Thomas: was erected and members ran various types of rolling stock as it was a running evening.
Tuesday 1st July '25. Members attending tonight was down on previous weeks, mainly due to holidays and the extremely hot weather, but work was carried out on some of our layouts. Godinton: Scenery work on the track around the loco shed was carried out along with electrical testing of the isolating switches on Board 4. Ospringe St Peters: The Control Panel was reinstalled and tested following water damage occurring in the store cupboard, caused by a leaking boiler. Repairs to the station canopy is ongoing and this has to be completed ASAP as Ospringe St Peters is booked for the Chatham Show on 19/20 July. Swaleford: Some scenery was painted, the lighting in the workshop was repaired and a road surface was installed on the back scene. No work on Thomas or Oare and Uplees was undertaken. Work has started on installing the shelving supports in the new cupboards.
Preparations are well advanced for our Exhibition in September with conformation of the layouts and traders reported at the last exhibition sub committee
Tuesday 8th July '25. Another well attended evening, and several items of work was undertaken on the following layouts:
Godinton: Work on finishing the inspection pit in the loco shed and testing of isolating switches on Boards 2 and 5 was carried out and proved working ok . Ospringe St Peters: The station roof lighting has been rebuilt and is ready for installing on the station, the lighting in the church has been rebuilt and will be installed next week. These repairs are urgent as the layout is going to the Chatham Show on 19/20 July. Swaleford: The lighting of the houses on the back board have been tested and all work correctly. The backboards will be fitted to the baseboards next week. However, an electrical problem, still exists on roads 5 and 6 which will need to be resolved. Thomas Themed: The fitting of planking on the scratch built new tractor shed for the farmland scene has started. Work also continued fitting shelves to the new cupboards, two shelves have been installed and next week installation of the remaining shelves should be installed in one cupboard.
Tuesday 15th July '25. Another well attended evening and several items of work was carried out on the following layouts: Godinton – Additional scenery works to the inspection pit in the loco shed and refitting bracket on board 4 for the control panel. As all the electrical work is now completed on board 4, it is planned next week to position the station platforms and permanently glue them to the board. Ospringe St Peters – The station roof lighting has been rebuilt and has been reinstalled on the station. The lighting in the church has been rebuilt and has also been installed, this now works better than before. These repairs were urgently needed as the layout is going to the Chatham Show on 19/20 July. When the new lighting will be dedicated by the Bishop of Rochester. Swaleford – The lighting of the houses on the back board have all been tested and the houses are now been glued permanently to the backboard, however, the electrical problem still exists on roads 5 and 6 which is still being investigated and corrected.
Thomas Themed - Saw the fitting of planking on the scratch built new tractor shed for the farmland scene which is now nearing completion. Oare & Uplees - alterations to the electrical work is complete and all rails are to be cleaned. The layout is booked to attend the Bredgar show in August. Work also continued fitting shelves to the new cupboards, three more were fitted and one cupboard is now complete.
Saturday & Sunday 20th & 21st July '25. Saw our Ospringe St Peters layout attend the Chatham Dockyard Exhibition within the Dockyard Complex. The show was held in the old building which used to house 3 covered slipways and with subdued lighting in the hall the lighting on Ospringe was shown to its full potential. With over 100 layouts and traders on display making it the largest show in Kent this year, by exhibiting Ospringe it gave the club a greater advertisement for the future.
Well done Kelvin for booking this show and to those club members that helped out over the two days. Below are a couple of images showing how effective the layout lighting is.
Tuesday 22nd July '25. Members continue to attend to help with the work needed on all of our layouts
Godinton: The brackets that support the control panel on board 4 have been repositioned, The platforms on board 4 have been permanently fitted (see photos below) and the isolating switches have been tested ok.
Ospringe St Peter: Following its outing to the Chatham Show over the weekend 2 faults were discovered and were rectified on Tuesday. A wire to the double slip had become disconnected, and was reattached also a point motor has failed and was replaced. Swaleford: Final scenery touched up and the wiring problem on roads 5 and 6 has been rectified. During this work the turntable fell out and will have to be refitted next week, it will then be ready for our exhibition. Oare and Uplees: The wiring fault was discovered to be a loose wire, and the layout is now ready for Bredgar. Work on putting shelves in the cupboards continues.
Tuesday 29th July '25. This week was a running night, supported well by members wishing to run a variety of rolling stock on our Thomas Themed and Ospringe St Peters layouts. Other work: Swaleford – A replacement turntable was fitted due to the original being faulty plus a new signal box is being built as the current one has no roof! Electrically, rolling stock was running correctly. Oare and Uplees - was erected for track cleaning in preparation for Bredgar. Godinton – The ramp ends on the platforms were permanently fitted and if all goes well on Saturday with electrically testing, next Tuesday will see the station building being installed.
Our Exhibition weekend is approaching fast on 12/13/14 September and we will be asking for volunteers for stewarding shortly. Please give your names to Carol from next week.
Saturday 2nd August '25. Four Club Members were at our club room to test the electrics on Godinton. We were successful in running a loco around the outer track, but as we tried the inner track we discovered minor issues, in that some point ends were not closing fully, so very small adjustments to the servo movements are required. There was also a problem with the sensors between the front and backboards. So, its two steps forward one step back!
PAT testing was carried out on our electrical mains equipment in preparation for our exhibition.
Tuesday 5th August '25. Tuesday’s meeting was well attended, and the following work on layouts was carried out.... Ospringe St Peters - The cable between two terminals was replaced as the previous one was too tight, this is in preparation for the layouts visit to the Margate Centre over this weekend. Swaleford - Scenery work was carried out on making the grass look thicker plus a wall around the turntable was installed. A new Roof was fitted to the Signal Box. (See Photo below). Godinton - Following the items discovered during last Saturdays testing, the two sensors had not been calibrated, which would have been done first thing on Saturday but due to unforeseen circumstances could not be completed. Work was carried out on these to enable them to work correctly.
The exhibition is only 5 weeks away and Carole will be providing a list asking for volunteers to help over both days on Sat 13th and Sun 14th September.
Also just two more weeks to submit any Tombola Prizes.
Tuesday 12th August '25.It was an extremely well attended evening, although it was very hot. Oare and Uplees - Was removed from the storage cupboard with anticipation some members would be shown how to erect it. Unfortunately this didn’t happen. No work was completed on this layout. Ospringe St Peter’s and Water Lane - Following a really successful exhibition at Hornby, two points were inoperable, fortunately this did not detract from the publics enjoyment of this layout. When the layout was examined back at the club room the faults were found to be that several wires had become detached from their connectors and one point motor was found to be defective and will have to be replaced. Swaleford - More scenery work was carried out on the station and more grass applied between the tracks. The lights to the station and engine shed were connected and all work. Work is continuing on the turntable fitting pavers to the edge. A scratch built Buddleia bush is to be added to the layout. Godinton - All the electronic modules on boards 1 and 6/7 have been set up to work from the control panel. The flooring of the steps by the inspection pit has been completed.
Many thanks to Carole for providing this weeks Blog text.
Tuesday 19th August '25. Another well attended meeting, which saw work carried out on the following layouts - Ospringe St Peters: Following its last outing at the Hornby Weekend a set of points had failed on the terminus board needing a point motor to be replaced. Godinton: The back boards were permanatly fixed onto Boards 3 and 5. On Board 4 work continued to adjust the point blades which were failing to make full contact. Swaleford: Some more scenery was added and general tidying up undertaken in readiness for its first showing at our Exhibition next month.
Sheets were available at the control desk for members to add their names onto to help with Stewarding at our exhibition.
One sheet for Friday night 16:00 untill 21:00 for measuring up and layouts arriving.
On Saturday we will be open at 07:00 for completion of preperatons and then we open to the public at 10:00 until 16:30
On Sunday we need stewards to be available from 09:00 with the the public opening 10:00 until 16:00.
Tuesday 26th August '25. It was was running night and a well-attended meeting, we ran trains on Thomas and Ospringe St Peters. Work was carried out on Godinton with tweeting of point modules being carried out and the loco shed permanently fixed to the base board. On Swaleford, a barrow crossing was under construction and running in testing of all routes prior to its first outing at our exhibition in September. Ospringe St Peters had a point motor repositioned slightly and the opportunity was taken to attach badges to layout notice board showing where the layout has attended.
We have been invited to send a layout to Crompton Tower at Broadstairs over the weekend 15th/16 November. Ospringe is not available, so if any members wish to take Swaleford or Oare and Uplees please let Bob know.
Our Exhibition Manager has put forward an idea of how to celebrate the 200th anniversary celebrations for the starting of the railway on 27th September 1825 in Stockton and Darlington. All gauges welcome.
We intend to put up Godinton and maybe Ospringe on the 30th September and ask members to bring in some of their locos so we can line them up in a still life cavalcade and take professional photo’s and place them on the clubs web site and maybe send them to model railway magazines to promote the club. More news to follow.
Tuesday 2nd September '25. A well-attended meeting with members carrying out a variety of tasks as well as the discussion group. Work was carried out on the following layouts. Godinton - further detailing around the loco area was carried out now it has been permanently fixed and electrical work was undertaken on boards 2 and 6. Ospringe St Peter – A mystery fault occurred when a pair of points failed to operate on it’s last outing, members traced the circuit from the points back to the switch, checking all connections and when tested it worked fine! Swaleford – Final preparations were worked on in readiness for its debut appearance at our exhibition at the Abbey School. A green facade has been purchased for Swaleford and for our test track for this year’s exhibition. A club member advised those present of a historical talk, of the train that jumped the gap, a WW2 story of a flying bomb that exploded on a railway bridge near Rainham. The talk will be at the St Marys Church, Upchurch. Entrance £5 on Thursday 25th September if they wish to go.
Tuesday 9th September '25. We continue to have well attended Club nights, checking with members all is well for this weekend’s Club Exhibition, Our Thomas Themed layout was loaded into cars ready to take to the Abbey School on Friday, Loco’s and rolling stock have all been checked.
A new siding was installed on the fiddle yard of Ospringe. On Godinton – The electrics on board 6 were checked, the loco shed roof was fitted and yard lights fitted to board 3. A road was laid on board 5. Swaleford - final scenery touches were put on the layout and a loco ran over all lines ready for it’s debut this weekend at our Exhibition. See the images below.
We have so far conformation of 83 locos for our Bi Centenary (200) on the 30th September, so only another 117 to go.
Saturday and Sunday 13th & 14th September '25. Another great two-day exhibition held at the Abbey school. Rain first thing on Saturday morning didn't stop our visitors arriving and by mid morning with rain lashing down, all the car parking spaces had been taken! Thankfully the weather improved around lunchtime Saturday and Sunday was a dry day. The attending public voted EssexBrick MR the Best in Show layout. Thanks must go to everyone who gave up their weekend, or part of it, to help the club.
Club Chairman Bob Bushell said "I would like to personally thank every one of you, from the Exhibition Manager and his team for putting this years exhibition with much work behind the scenes to ensure it was a success. My thanks also goes to the club members and helpers plus the ladies who kept suppling many cups of tea and coffee, soft drinks and cakes to Exhibitors and Traders as well as our members over the whole weekend in our rest room. Not forgetting the two ladies who helped run the Tombola stand. To you all Well Done and Thank You."
Tuesday 16th September '25. Following our Exhibition last weekend, we had our largest attendance of members this evening. The following work on layouts: Ospringe St Peters – Following the installation of a new siding last week, wires were attached in preparation to power the siding, it is also being fitted with an isolating section. Godinton – additional scenery is being made for the loco shed and additional scenery being fitted to the street scene. Swaleford – Following it’s display at last week’s exhibition, a decision was made to correct the faults and a snagging list is being compiled and workout a plan of action.
We have been invited to send a layout to Cramton Tower at Broadstairs, on the 15th /16th November 2025. It has been decided to send Oare and Uplees, so if members wish to help out, please let us know.
Our celebration of the bi centenary of the coming of the railways on the 30th September following a push to members yesterday, the number of loco’s promised rose from 83 to 150 it is hoped we can find another 40 plus before the 30th September.
As a thank you for those who helped out at the exhibition, we will be providing a buffet next week.
Tuesday 23rd September '25. We had a good attendance and members enjoyed a buffet as a 'thank you' to those who helped out at the exhibition. The following work was undertaken: Swaleford - Following the faults found during running at our exhibition, a small meeting was convened to discuss a table of suggestions so as a plan can be agreed to rectify the faults and any additional work ready for its next outing in March 2026. Godinton - The final testing was completed on the electrics, so we now need to erect it to ensure the points and isolating switches all work, once this has been completed the station can be permanently fitted and other scenic pods put in place. Ospringe St Peters - Work on wiring the new siding was carried out. This in preparation for its next outing to Chelmsford in Essex on 18th October. Oare and Uplees - will be attending Crampton Tower MR Exhibition on 15/16th November 2025.
Tuesday 30th September '25. It was a well attended meeting and below is a group photo and a YouTube video link to last nights event in which 242 loco's were displayed on a table by members celebrating the coming of the railways 200 years ago, on the 27th September 1825, between Stockton and Darlington.
Members were asked to bring in British built loco's representing the best of British loco building through the ages and to try and get 200 locos. As can be seen this was achieved plus 42 more.
No other work was carried out on our layouts.
Tuesday 7th October '25. The club continues to see regulars attending ensuring the club continues to prosper. Swaleford - Post exhibition snagging continues, a new point block was wired in to ensure all points work correctly from the control panel. Additional scenery was added. Godinton - New Pavement was laid between buildings. Additional work completed on the electrics ready for testing on the 25th October. Ospringe St Peters - Work on wiring the new siding continues, with repertory work on the installation of the isolating switch. The layout will be attending Chelmsford on the 18th October 2025. Oare and Uplees - will be erected next week to test the layout prior to its visit to Crampton Tower MR Exhibition on 15/16th November 2025. St Peters will visit a one-day exhibition at Chelmsford on the 18th October 25.
Tuesday 14th October '25. The club continues to see regulars attending ensuring the club continues to prosper. Swaleford - 3D printed chimney pots were put on the houses and several telegraph poles were installed. Godinton - The Signal Box was permanently fixed onto the base board and several lineside fencing sections were installed. Ospringe St Peters - No work was carried out this week. However, the layout will be attending Chelmsford one day exhibition on Saturday 18th October 2025. Oare and Uplees - Was erected and tested and found to be in full working order. The layout will be erected again prior to its pending visit to Crampton Tower MR Exhibition on 15/16th November 2025, for training on the control panel.
Tuesday 21st October '25. Although regulars still attended last night, the numbers were slightly down due to illness and late holidays.
Swaleford - Work on Swaleford continued with the installation of telegraph poles. An initial discussion took place on the signalling of the layout and it was agreed that semaphore signalling would be installed, the plan for this will be taken off the control panel. Godinton - Additional scenery was installed along with fencing on boards 5 & 6. A final plan of the farmyard was agreed with cobble stones on the ground together with a farmhouse, barn and a tractor shed. Ospringe St Peters - Following a successful day out at Chelmsford last Saturday, work continued to complete the powering of the new long siding within the fiddle yard,
Hopefully the final testing of the electric’s on Godinton will take place this Saturday from 10:00.
Ospringe St Peters will be exhibited at the Gravesend show on the 1st/2nd November 2025.
Tuesday 28th October '25. Last night was a running night and we had a very good attendance. Thomas themed and Oare and Uplees were erected and members ran their own rolling stock on these layouts. There were no reported problems with the track or electrics on both layouts. Swaleford - Work continued upgrading the electrical system and additions to the point motors along with more scenery added. Godinton - Additional scenery was installed. A cattle dock was glued to the base board the goods shed, although completed, has no platform to receive rail goods, this will be scratch built and installed ASAP. Testing of the layout was carried out last Saturday, which was partially successful. A point motor needs replacing due to its pin dropping out of the switch, plus a couple of dead sections need to be checked. However, we did manage to run a loco around the whole layout.
Ospringe St Peters will be exhibited at the Gravesend show over this coming weekend.
The Club’s Christmas Dinner will be held at the Dover Castle Inn in Teynham on Saturday 13th December 2025. Meal commencing at 19:30hrs. It is almost fully booked so contact the club on our email address as soon as possible if you wish to attend.
Tuesday 4th November '25. Last evenings meeting showed attendance keeping steady. Swaleford - Work continued upgrading the electrical system along with additions to the point motors. A brick wall was made which will be entrance to a park which will have two mature trees on either side of the road. Godinton - More scenery was glued to the baseboard in the industrial area. The pod for the farmyard was covered in cobble stones in preparation of the farmhouse and associated farm buildings and equipment. The defective point motor leading to a siding was replaced. Oare and Uplees - Electrical testing was carried out to find two dead spots, one was found and rectified. The layout will be exhibited at Crampton Tower, Broadstairs on the 15/16 November 2025. Ospringe St Peter - Following a successful weekend at Gravesend, work continued on installing an isolated section. No work was undertaken on our Thomas themed layout.
Please note that those who have booked a place at the club’s Christmas Dinner that payment is due to the organiser by next Tuesday. Thank You.
Tuesday 11th November '25. This evenings meeting showed attendance was well up on last week. Swaleford - Work continued upgrading the electrical system and two point motors were changed. Investigations continued to find the cause of a set of points only throwing one way. Pavement slabs were laid for the entrance to the park. Godinton - More scenery was glued to the baseboard. Doors were fitted on the loco shed. A defective switch on the back control panel was replaced. Oare and Uplees - Electrical checks were completed on the layout and it was loaded into a members car ready for transporting to Broadstairs for exhibiting this weekend. Ospringe St Peter - The new siding is now complete electrically, with the isolated section now working.
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November '25. Over the weekend Faversham MRC members displayed our layout - Oare and Uplees at Crampton Tower Model Railway Exhibition held in Broadstairs. There were 12 layouts on display, supplemented by 2 traders. All money raised was donated to the Tower which is registered as a charity. Over the two days the layout received many compliments from visitors, especially the history of the 009 parts of the layout. Rolling stock was supplied by members of the club. Although we were visited by other exhibitors, we did not receive any invites to other exhibitions. However, members learned valuable information on how the layout was put up and taken down plus they got used to the control panel
Tuesday 18th November '25. Tonight’s meeting was well attended and work was undertaken on the following:- Swaleford - A new light on a pole was fitted by the entrance to the loco shed. By using an alternative method of controlling the points they are now working, although one pair needs to be changed. Scenery work was carried out with some planting of trees at the entrance to the park. Godinton - More scenery was glued to the baseboard, a new road was laid and permanently glued to the baseboard. A foot crossing across the track was installed and another had work started upon. See images below. Oare and Uplees - Following its outing to Broadstairs, some minor adjustments to the scenery are necessary to allow all types of stock to be used. The uncoupler in the main platform needs adjusting, while it works it does not actually uncouple trains! Ospringe St Peter - Plans have now been started for the new fiddle yard to be located at the bottom section of the layout. The baseboard has been made and is ready for the laying of track, which is in the planning stage.
Tuesday 25th November '25. Tonight’s meeting was a running night and it was very well attended. Swaleford - Work continued, touching upon scenery around the station area. A historic brief has been prepared on what Swaleford is based on for when it goes out to exhibitions. It is a spur off the Sheppey Light Railway from Queenborough to Leysdown, between 1901 to 1950. Godinton - The bus garage was reglued to the baseboard where it had not stuck along the back edge, work was carried out around the industrial area. Oare and Uplees - The layout was put up and members ran their trains, gaining experience on the panel and traverser. Ospringe St Peter - The layout was erected and members ran their trains gaining experience on the control panels. Thomas Themed - The layout was put up and members ran their own rolling stock.
The evening was the last running night of 2025. We have 3 more meeting nights before the Christmas/ New Year Break and our Christmas Meal on Saturday 13th December at the Dover Castle, Teynham
Tuesday 2nd December '25. Tonight’s club meeting suffered from some pre-Christmas blues, as attendance was down on last week. Swaleford - On the electrical side progress was made with work on the isolated sections and more scenery added to the back scene. A discussion took place on planning future projects including a traverser. Godinton - A bridge is being constructed which will take the road out of the High Street and over the railway. A new foot crossing has been constructed over the line leading to the goods shed. Ospringe St Peter - The short circuit on the layout has been found by elimination of testing each part where the problem was. It was found on the fiddle yard where during the summer heat a rail had moved touching the points leading to the outside track. Oare and Thomas - were not erected.
Tuesday 9th December '25. Members returned back in good numbers tonight, maybe it was the temptation of homemade mince pies? Swaleford - On the electrical side two point motors have been replaced and wiring of a new isolating section in the control panel was undertaken. Godinton - A bridge that had been constructed to carry the road out of the High Street over the railway had been found not to fit, so it has been rebuilt and is now permanently fitted to the baseboard. A siding in the goods yard has been lightly ballasted. Some trees have been planted trackside. Ospringe St Peter - Work continued constructing the new baseboard for the lower fiddle yard. Cosmetic work carried out in preparation of Ospringe to be exhibited at the Canterbury show in January. Thomas - A new 4 Pin Din Plug has been installed to allow trains to run on the inner circuit.
Saturday 13th December '25. A group of club members and many with their partners or plus ones attended a Christmas evening meal at the Dover Castle Inn in Teynham. Some images from the evening are attached below.
Tuesday 16h December '25. Regular Members attended on the last Tuesday before the Christmas and New Year break. Swaleford - On the electrical side further work was carried to upgrade the system and tidying up the scenery was undertaken. Godinton - A new trackside fence was installed to keep trespassers off the railway. Ospringe St Peter - Investigation took place as to why there was a persistent short in the new siding. Thomas - The new 4 Pin Din Plug that was installed last week to allow trains to run on the inner circuit, was tested and worked ok.
We will take a 2-week break and return on Tuesday 6th January 2026
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy and fruitful New Year
Below are some pictures taken at our 2025 Christmas meal
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