My presentation is titled “Where the sunshine comes soonest! Modelling the Southern” Illustrated with my own models I will explore my reasons for modelling the Southern, my own time period of 1946 to 1949, provide a virtual tour of both Fisherton Sarum and Canute Road Quay and provide thoughts and ideas how the complexity and variety of the Southern can be modelled.
The lecture starts at 7.30pm, but doors open at 6.30. The Model Railway Club licenced bar has a range of beers, wine, spirts and soft drinks plus snacks.
Guests are welcome, there is no need to book, but please note that there are stairs to the lecture room, and anyone with concerns about accessibility should contact The Model Railway Club in advance. There is a voluntary collection, with a suggestion of £3 for non members.
I am pleased to advise that the Astolat Model Railway Circle exhibition on Sunday 16th January is GOING AHEAD which makes a welcome change at a time that has seen many shows cancelled. I look forward to attending this pleasant show with Canute Road Quay. Please come along, say hello and support the Astolat MRC.
See Canute Road Quay at the Astolat Guildford show on Sunday 16th January
Doors open at 10:00 am and close at 5:00pm. Entry prices are £6.00 for Adult, £3.00 for Child (under 14) and £12.00 for family (2 + 2).
Important Covid Advisory Information. In light of the latest government guidelines all adult visitors to the January exhibition will sensibly be required to wear masks and will require evidence of at least double vaccination or proof of a recent negative Lateral Flow Test to gain entry to the Surrey Sports Park buildings.
I have been advised that the Stafford Railway Circle Exhibition that Canute Road Quay was due to attend on 5th & 6th February 2022 has been unfortunately cancelled.
The show organisers have advised: “In view of the rapidly worsening Covid situation caused by the Omicron variant, Stafford Railway Circle has decided that it is not possible to proceed with this exhibition. We deeply regret that we have to cancel it and hope that our exhibitors, traders and would-be customers will understand why this decision has been taken. Our sincere apologies but hopefully you understand.”
Unfortunate but understandable, I hope to be there in 2023.
Canute Road Quay is also scheduled to be at the Astolat Model Railway Circle exhibition in Guildford on Sunday 16th January 2022, I am aware that the organisers are monitoring the current situation and will advise further in due course.
This weekend 4th/5th December sees the fourth World of Railways Virtual Exhibition, and a weekend filled with entertainment for all ages, model railways of all shapes, sizes and scales, plus informative model ‘how-to’ advice, and interviews with the brands who bring us the models we enjoy, including a in a couple of different interviews yours truly…
The virtual show organisers, Warners/BRM, have introduced a range of new features, including: guest modelling panels answering your questions, and a Christmas shopping segment you’ll not want to miss. Fan favourites remain, including the hugely popular Kids Zone, competitions, puzzles, exclusive interviews and more.
Also included are a behind-the-scenes look at the 121 Collection, a trip to the Severn Valley Railway, and a visit to the Crewe Heritage Centre, to name a few.
A #BigWORshow wouldn’t be complete without its competitions! There’s something for all the family across the weekend, from ‘spot the difference’, puzzle games and colouring for younger viewers, with a fabulous selection of prizes to win for adults, from a Hornby Queen Elizabeth and limited edition Merchant Navy, to an Oxford Rail modern air-braked Warwell and Bachmann BR Mk. 1 coaches.
I will start by apologising that this post is not really about model railways (but a little creeps in along with 12″ to the foot railways!)
Restrictions due to COVID19 has prevented model railway clubs and societies having their usual meetings, let alone model railway exhibitions from going ahead. This meant that appearances of Canute Road Quay at shows including the Epsom and Ewell MRC show back in April fell by the wayside. This week I was advised that the Beckenham and West Wickham MRC show on 17th October has also understandably been cancelled, this along with previously announced cancellation of the excellent Chiltern Model Railway Association show in Stevenage in January next year means Canute Road Quay will not be leaving the cottage for some time. Details of any exhibitions booked for next year and still at the time of writing going ahead can always be found on my Exhibition Diary page here.
The loss of these exhibitions is understandable but a great shame, although a number of virtual shows have taken place its not the same and for most model railway clubs and societies they were an important source of income, so once they are back up and running hopefully next year, please support your local show!
A tease of a “Making Quay Changes” post to come
A view of the cottage in my “view from the cottage series of images
My local Jay sits atop my LSWR boundary marker
It does mean that I have been able to do a photoshoots for my Making Quay Changes series which I hope that you are enjoying, there are at least three more in the pipeline so watch this space, and I welcome any requests.
As lockdown rolled into May and beyond, as experienced by many, keeping ones headspace on the straight and narrow was sometimes a challenge.
I remembered the adage “it’s ok to not be ok” and “seeking help is a positive not a negative step”, people are there to assist, and your local front line NHS such as your GP is a great starting point, mine was fantastic!
I took the opportunity to make use exercise time to enjoy the lovely part of the Chiltern Hills that my cottage is set in and undertake more photography, ranging from: scenic views, sunsets, the splendid Red Kites that now once again grace the area, other birds, visiting animals and some arty views and angles to take in texture, foliage and clouds etc.
I posted many of the photographs on my twitter feed @grahammuz with the hashtag #viewfromthecottage but have now also created a gallery of some of my favourites on my gallery page here, check them out if you have a few minutes spare.
Catching up on kit builds
I also managed once the mojo had returned to catch up on some simple model making and build a few wagon kits that had been in the will do sometime pile for well quite some time. They are at the painting stage now and will likely appear in a workbench post soon.
In other news after 15 years in the Road Safety and Traffic Management, I decided to apply for voluntary redundancy, so am now in furlough for my notice period that finishes at the end of September.
I then start a new job that by of a tease before it is officially announced will be in… wait for it… the model railway industry!
It’s all pretty exciting really and will definitely improve my work life balance and I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into the new role, so again watch this space…
In the meantime stay safe and well, both physically and mentally, it’s good to talk!
This year we are unable to do so but this has not deterred the organisers from marking the event but this year it will be in a ‘virtual’ form on RMweb. with pictures, video and chat from participants past and present to raise money for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal who are working with NHS England and their member NHS Charities on a nationally coordinated response to the difficulties affecting us all.
The event is taking place this weekend and is hosted on RMweb. At the time of posting over £6000 has already been raised or the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal!
Regular readers will know that this time of year I usually attend and assist with the running of, the RM Web South West Area Group members day held nr. Taunton. This year we are unable to do so but this has not deterred the organisers from marking the event but this year it will be in a ‘virtual’ form on RMweb. with pictures, video and chat from participants past and present to raise money for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal who are working with NHS England and their member NHS Charities on a nationally coordinated response to the difficulties affecting us all.
The event will take place in virtual form on Sunday 26th April and will be hosted on RMweb.
Layout organiser, and friend, Stu Hilton of Truro, said “It’s a shame we cannot bring everyone together in our usual way this year but we are trying to do the next best thing and bring modellers together online and capture some of the atmosphere and great modelling that would have been on show”.
I look forward to posting content myself during the day about Fisherton Sarum and Canute Road Quay, both layouts have been exhibited at the event in previous years.
Some participants will post updates on their preparations ahead of the event and memories of previous days out together on the Saturday before the main event. We will host a railway-themed ‘pub quiz’ on the Saturday evening in lieu of everyone getting together for a pint in a local pub. On the day there will be plenty of content and chat from participants, a virtual ‘bring and buy’ to raise funds and a ‘virtual kitchen’ where readers can purchase virtual versions of the infamous pasties, pies and cake. The event will finish on the Sunday afternoon with a fundraising ‘virtual’ raffle and auction all to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
So join in over the weekend, if you are not already a member of the RM Web community, simply sign up its free!
It is the Tonbridger MRC’s 39th Exhibition and Canute Quay will be in the company of over 30 layouts, including a number of Suuthern interest including Cheffley (00), Forrestone (N), Four Oaks (00), Hayning Island (EM), Lynswood (00), Manston Airport (00), Rixworth Green (P4) and Shellsea Harbour (00)
The Angel Centre is conveniently located in the centre of Tonbridge, a 5 minute walk from Tonbridge railway station with frequent trains to London, Ashford and East Kent, Hastings and Tunbridge Wells, and a very short walk from the High Street bus stops. In addition, the venue is surrounded by large car parks, making access easy. It should be noted that the The A21 is closed past Tonbridge over the weekend of the exhibition from the Sevenoaks Weald (Morleys) Roundabout and the Vauxhall lane exit so there will be increased traffic around Tonbridge.
All images in this blog are copyright myself and or The Kernow Model Rail Centre / Chris Nevard / Mike Wild / Paul Bason / Andy York / Hornby Magazine / Model Rail / BRM Magazine (see links above) posted here with their kind express permission, unless otherwise credited.
This Web Site and any of its contents may not be copied, translated or distributed in any manner (electronic, web or printed) without the prior written consent of Graham R Muspratt.
My presentation is titled “Where the sunshine comes soonest! Modelling the Southern” Illustrated with my own models I will explore my reasons for modelling the Southern, my own time period of 1946 to 1949, provide a virtual tour of both Fisherton Sarum and Canute Road Quay and provide thoughts and ideas how the complexity and variety of the Southern can be modelled.
