Logistics and timetable for the Bournmoor trip were discussed and agreed, together with a potential extension/diversion to collect various machinery and material from the late Bill Blackburn's collection to allow the association to continue to produce PCB sleepers.
The only photo-worthy item on display was David S' Co-Bo in an almost finished state (just needs the body fastening more firmly to the chassis...). It uses the Worsley Works scratch aids for the body, with a scratch built chassis.
Unfortunately the lighting conditions were poor, but I hope these pictures (mostly from Richard) will give some idea of the real item, though they don't do justice to the weathering.
It previously appeared in the September 2016 issue of the blog, complete with a Thomas-style smiling face!
Various plans for development of the layout were discussed, including:
- sending the warehouse to the West Country branch to be finished off, after Bournmoor and before the next exhibitions in October/November
- finishing ballasting the trackwork
- marking all uncouplers, in particular those on the brake van road, so that operators know where they are
- more freight stock
- more locomotives - which resulted in extended discussion about which (if any) available kits would be suitable, particularly for shunters but also as trip locos
I think it was agreed that 1961 was going to be the normal operating period - any earlier and the Post Office Tower would need to be removed from the backscene, any later and it would become difficult to justify continuing use of steam locos. Which led on to discussion of building a couple of 08 shunters - Keith and David S already have one each, but expressed reservations about them.
I'm not sure who was volunteered to extricate the chippie, who spent most of the Epsom Exhibition with his feet in the air and his head in the deep fat frier
As this report is a bit short, I will pad it out with another mystery shot from the archives. Answers on a post card please...
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