Tuesday 6th January '26. A very Happy New Year to all our members and lets hope in 2026 we can build on the successes of 2025. On returning from the Christmas and New Year closure, members got back into the routine. Swaleford - The good news was that we now have everything working as it should with the points and track etc however a slight glitch was found that the turntable failed to operate, on investigation of the control panel a wire was not attached to anything, so members started checking where the wire had come from? Ospringe St Peter - An Investigation took place why we have a problem with the isolating sections of the new siding, it is believed that an isolating fishplate has been wrongly installed on the electro frog, a temporary fix will be done so that it can be used at the Canterbury Show. No other work was undertaken, but a few members caught up on their Christmas gifts etc. Next week Ospringe will be tested in readiness for the Canterbury Show and work will continue on both Godinton and Swaleford. We have received various invites which will be discussed at the Full Committee meeting on the 19th January
Tuesday 13th January '26. A well attended meeting which produced progress on our layouts. Swaleford - The good news was that we now have the turntable working, however a slight glitch was found with one of the new point machines which seemed to have moved slightly and needed adjustment. Ospringe St Peter - The layout was fully erected for final electrical testing, in preparation to be exhibited at the City of Canterbury’s Model Railway exhibition this coming weekend. We hope for a successful weekend. Godinton - Further scenery work was undertaken on board 6.
Saturday and Sunday 17th & 18th January '26. Over the weekend several members along with our N Gauge layout - Ospringe St Peter's & Water Lane attended the 35th annual Model Railway Exhibition of the City of Canterbury MRS at the St Anslem Catholic School. Over the two days it proved to be a popular exhibit, as several times we had a large crowd around the layout, with many asking questions and taking photos. A video was also taken as part of the show's exhibits. A successful weekend.
Tuesday 20th January '26. Godinton - The whole layout was erected for electrical testing; the dead section between the front and back boards was rectified and a loco ran round the inner circuit, For some reason as yet to be investigated, the outer tracks on the fiddle yard had no power. Next week further scenery on boards 2 & 3 will commence. Swaleford - All working electrically, further work on increasing the street lighting. Ospringe St Peter's - Following the layouts successful weekend at Canterbury, two sets of points on the lower section failed to work, an investigation has been started into the cause. No work on Oare and Thomas was undertaken.
Tuesday 27th January '26. A well-attended meeting as it was running night. Swaleford - Swaleford was put up and training began on how to operate the control panel. Ospringe St Peter - The layout was erected and members ran their own stock on the top circuit. It was noticed on viewing the video of the layout while it was at Canterbury, that the station canopy on the lower level had become detached, this was glued and repainted. Godinton - Further scenery work was carried out on board 5. Also a track defect on board 7 was discovered last week and has now been corrected by resoldering the rails. Interest was shown by members on the soldering technique. Oare and Uplees - The layout has at last got a team that will keep it operational and take it to exhibitions. A 009 loco was purchased for the quarry line. Thomas - The layout was set up and members ran their own stock as well as testing loco’s.
Tuesday 3rd February '26. A well-attended meeting despite the weather conditions. Swaleford - was put up and further training continued, with members learning how to operate the control panel. A loco and two of the new coaches from a set of four 57ft ex LNBSC from the clubs stock was used for this purpose. Also work commenced on wiring up the streetlamps. Ospringe St Peter - Each of the boards were erected to check on reports after the show at Canterbury that two sets of points were not working, no defects were found. Two Yew trees were planted in the church yard. A advertising banner has been deigned and displayed to members in preparation for its trip to York over the Easter Weekend (see the Club Layouts page for an image of the banner). Godinton - Further scenery work was undertaken on board 4. Plus a continuation of the yard from board 5. Oare and Uplees - The layout was erected and a new OO9 loco purchased by the club tested over all routes, this operated without problems. A coach from the LBSC set was used to test clearances. Thomas - Was not used last night.
Tuesday 10th February '26. A well-attended meeting despite the weather conditions. Swaleford - Work continued on wiring up the streetlamps and further scenery work including a Station Toilet Block is being built. Ospringe St Peter - Checking of wiring circuits in the control panel in preparation for its visit to York. Godinton - Further scenery work was undertaken on board 5 plus painting of some fencing was carried out. Oare and Uplees -The layout was put up and a new OO loco was tested over all routes, however it found the head shunt siding on the OO9 side was isolated despite the switch being turned on, investigations are ongoing. Thomas - Was not erected last night. Other members had a discussion on modelling.
Next week further checking work will be carried out on Ospringe, so it is ready for York.
Work will continue on Swaleford in preparation for East Grinstead.
Oare and Uplees is having minor alterations in preparation of it being shown on the circuit this year.
