Milland Valley Railway

With the Japanese theme continuing in the N gauge group, Nick brought along on Friday night, a sample of the latest in Japanese model railway technology T SCALE.

This is considerably smaller than Z with a track gauge of 3mm, that’s about 1/8″. The model of a suburban overhead electric unit runs on about a 150mm (6″) dia circle of track with no points. There is a magnetic device that assists track adhesion. It seems unlikely that it is aimed at the model railway market, more likely an executive toy with the leaflet showing the track in a scale diorama mounted on a small coffee table.

The team expect to show it running above the tunnels sections of Coppleston, when it is at the FarehamMRC show on the 4th/5th October.

Scenic work continues on the 00 layout Weyford on Sea with the goods shed located

Coppleston has been undergoing a make-over with Ben taking a one section a week back home and returning it the following Friday. He’s been tidying/tweaking the wiring and refreshing the scenery with his new electrostatic grass applicator. Seems to work a treat!

Lots of Japanese bullet trains of various types have been appearing of late, brought along by John and Nick, together with suburban stock. I think it’s been agreed that Tony will have the Coppleston layout in store, after the Fareham show and that a new layout will be constructed set in Japan!

David G is also bringing along the odd American item and hopes to construct an American module that uses the Japanese layout’s fiddle yard.

Weyford on Sea remains stoutly British – The engine shed area has been receiving some scenic work by Eric and Andrew-walls,fencing etc as has the cutting and embankment leading to the dock and fiddle yard. I’ve started forming an area that includes a road and over-bridge that will lead out of the docks. I’m intending to use Scalescenes warehouses and terraced houses in this area together with a scratch-built bomb site and a Hornby pill-box.

Plans are being hatched to have a flying boat/liner terminal at the dock to enhance the potential rail traffic perhaps including special Pullman trains.

It’s been good to see Alf back at our Friday sessions after a bit of a gap.

Attendance continues to be good, with  9 or 10 most weeks

The AGM was held on Friday 2nd May 2008

Main points

• Current committee and chairman returned unopposed

• Alf Rolph was made the club’s first honorary life member in recognition of his membership and support of the club and it’s activities over many years.

• Return to a permanent clubroom adjacent to our former site is still unresolved. It is anticipated that some formal proposals may be available to the committee later in the month. If so a special meeting will be called to discuss.

• No change in the subscription is envisaged until the clubroom situation is further advanced. Financial situation is satisfactory.

• No open day this year, but yes for 2009 possibly in September or October. Possible venues to be reviewed

• New member John welcomed formally.