Model Railway Exhibitions – September 2014

• Soar Valley Model Railway Club – Heart of the Midlands Model Railway Exhibition

• Sat 6th September 2014 – Sun 7th September 2014
• University of Loughborough, Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3GR

OPENING TIMES: 10:30am-5:00pm (4:00pm ON SUNDAY)
ADMISSION: Adults £8.00 Concessions £7.00 Children £4.00 Family £20.00
*LAST MINUTE CHANGE OF VENUE* Due to circumstances beyond the control of the University and ourselves, we have had to move venue to the Holywell Park Conference Centre. Free on-site parking, disabled access, refreshments available. Bus connections from Loughborough Railway Station, Town Centre and Leicester City Centre. 5 minutes from M1 Junction 23.
CONTACT: 01530450187
QUICKINFO:
L:20+ T:20+ CS Md

• The Gauge 0 Guild Ltd – Guildex 2014

• Sat 6th September 2014 – Sun 7th September 2014
• International Centre, St Quentins Gate, Telford, Shropshire TF3 4JH

OPENING TIMES: SAT 10.00 TILL 5pm SUN 10.00 TILL 4pm
ADMISSION: Adults £12.00
Members are admitted for £5.00 on production of valid membership card. Apart from 2 Guild test tracks, in 7mm fine scale, there will be 15 layouts. As usual there will be the Guild Bring and Buy stand and the Executor and Trustee Stand present, and Guild Services stands. Ten Demonstrators and the Loco Clinic will be attending. Around 90 Traders will be on hand to provide most of what is available in 7mm scale. Reduced rate £5.00 for members with valid card.

This is the Annual two day Convention of the Gauge 0 Guild and draws together membership from all over the world. The Annual General Meeting is also held on the Sunday, separately from the Show.

CONTACT: 0845 603 6213
QUICKINFO:
L:17 T:90 CS Md

• Apedale Valley Light Railway – Tracks to the Trenches 2014

• Fri 12th September 2014 – Sun 14th September 2014
• Apedale Country Park, Loomer Road, Chesterton, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 7LB

OPENING TIMES: FRI 12pm – 5.30pm, SAT & SUN 10.30am – 5.30pm
ADMISSION: Adults £8.00 Concessions £8.00 Children £4.00 Family £20.00
As part of the Track to the Trenches event at Apedale Valley Light Railway marking 100 years since the start of the First World War, we will be displaying 10 model exhibits plus a 7 1/4″ miniature ride-on-railway.

CONTACT: 08450941953
QUICKINFO:
L:10 T:2

• Warners Group Publications – RM Web Live!

• Sat 13th September 2014 – Sun 14th September 2014
• Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, Warwickshire CV6 6GE

OPENING TIMES: SAT 10am-5pm, SUN 10am-4.30pm
ADMISSION: Adults £11.00 Children £5.50 Family £33.00
Whether you’re an existing modeller looking to enhance your skills, or you’re interested in trying something new and don’t know where to start – RMWeb Live is a brand new railway modelling event with a difference! A series of skills zones and demonstrations covering key modelling topics will be taking centre stage. There will also be quality exhibitors, the RMWeb Theatre and a variety of model railways – some never seen before at a railway modelling even

• Meridienne Exhibitions – The International N Gauge Show

• Sat 13th September 2014 – Sun 14th September 2014
• Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, the Fosse, Fosse Way, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1XN

OPENING TIMES: SAT 10am-5pm, SUN 10am-4.00pm
ADMISSION: Adults £9.50 Concessions £8.50 Children £4.50
The International N Gauge Show will be returning on the 13th and 14th September and is set to be the best show to date. Many of the leading manufacturers and suppliers have already confirmed their attendance and the full list of exhibitors and layouts can be seen below. This is updated regularly as more exhibitors confirm they are joining us. This is an exhibition dedicated to N Gauge Modelling at its best and attracts nearly 3, 000 enthusiasts every year. Make a note in your diary now.

QUICKINFO:
L:30+ T:40+ CS Md

• Trent Valley Model Railway Society – Lichfield Model Railway Exibition

• Sat 20th September 2014
• Emmanuel Christian Centre, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6TS

OPENING TIMES: SAT 10am-4.30pm
ADMISSION: Adults £4.00 Concessions £3.00 Children £3.00 Family £11.00
Our 4th show is back and better than ever 14 layouts covering all the popular gauges with a variety off different eras and countries a great friendly show for all the family

Bournville Model Railway Club – Pete Bridge

• Redditch Model Railway Club Ltd – 41st Redditch Model Railway Exhibition

• Sat 20th September 2014 – Sun 21st September 2014
• Trinity High School, Grove Street, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8HB

OPENING TIMES: SAT 10am – 5pm, SUN 10am – 4.30pm
ADMISSION: Adults £5.00 Concessions £4.50 Children £3.00 Family £14.00
This is the 41st Redditch Model Railway Exhibition and will feature the debut of the club’s new exhibition layout Oakenshaw. Venue is off access 1 on town centre ring road 15 minutes from junction 2 or 3 on the M42. 15 minute walk from the rail and bus stations – train every 30 minutes from Birmingham New Street both days

The exhibition will see the exhibition debut of Redditch Model Railway Club’s new layout Oakenshaw

• Warley Model Railway Club – Warley / Macmillan Coffee Morning

• Sat 27th September 2014
• Unit 1f, Pearsall Drive, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 2RA

OPENING TIMES: 11am – 4pm
See the Warley Model Railway Club at home. Free admission. Layouts, demonstrations and refreshments available. A fun day out for all the family and enthsiasts alike. Have a go controlling on Yardlea our 00 gauge club layout. Layouts on show in N gauge, 00 gauge, O gauge, 7mm finscale, EM gauge, Narrow gauge and G scale. All in aid of the Macmillan Coffee Morning.

CONTACT:
QUICKINFO: CS Md

Some Early Lines – Old Railway Companies – Furness Railway and Furness & Midland Joint Railway

Some Early Lines

Old Railway Companies

Furness Railway and Furness & Midland Joint Railway

The Furness Railway had a more attractive furniture motif than many lines. Its squirrel lives on in this seat from Millom, now at the Ravenglass terminus of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. (P.van Zeller)

Furness Railway

Seen as a link between Barrow and mines at Lindal, the company was incorporated on 23 May 1844. There was also a 3ft 2¼in gauge line to a slate quarry at Kirkby. Despite poetic fury from Wordsworth, the line progressed well, to be in use by 3 June 1846 and officially opened on 12 August. An extension from Kirkby to Broughton was opened in late February 1848. The discovery of enormous deposits of haematite at Park, north of Barrow, in 1850 made the company one of the most prosperous of its time. A national slump after 1870 prompted thoughts of sale to the Midland Railway in 1875, but a change of emphasis from goods to tourists kept the company successful until the outbreak of the First World War. Absorption of smaller companies extended its system, until by 1918 it owned 428¾ track miles, including sidings. The company remained independent until the Grouping.

Borwick, on the Furness & Midland Joint Railway. The station (right distance) was built before the railway: when the line arrives, it passed 50 yards to the south-east, and a second station (foreground) had to be built. (Andrew C.Ingram)

Furness & Midland Joint Railway

A link between Wennington (Midland Railway) and Carnforth (Furness Railway) was suggested by the Midland Railway which wanted a share in the rich iron ore traffic from Furness, and offered boat-train traffic to Barrow in exchange. The London & North Western Railway, which had hitherto controlled the FR at both ends, opposed, but a company was incorporated on 22 June 1863, running powers over the FR making life easier for the LNWR. The 9¾ mile line, financed jointly by the two companies and managed by a Joint Committee, opened for goods on 10 April 1867, and to passengers on 6 June. It crossed the LNWR north of Carnforth to a station on the west, a curve leading into the northern side of the LNWR station. The company remained independent until the Grouping.

Furness Railway No.20

The Furness Railway Trust

The Furness Railway Trust – with assets like 1863-built Furness Railway Number 20 and the ex Furness and North London Railway coach – is also working to keep the memory of the Furness Railway alive.

The FRT owns Britain’s oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive, Furness Railway Number 20, GWR duo 0-6-2T 5643 and 4979 “Wootton Hall”, Austerity “Cumbria” and our vintage train.
We are based in the North West of England but our locomotives and carriages are found at heritage railway sites nationwide.
Our fund-raising and your support keeps us going. Why not Gift Aid a donation?!

http://www.furnessrailwaytrust.org.uk/

Furness Railway Axle Box – in the Chasewater Railway Museum Collection

Carriages from the Great Eastern Railway, the Maryport & Carlisle Railway and Furness Railway making up the Cannock & Rugeley Colliery ‘Paddy’ train, taken at Pool Pits Junction, Hednesford 24-2-1951

 

Canal News August 30-31 – Over Canal Festival & Ellesmere Port Model Boat Club Regatta

Canal News August 30-31

Over Canal Festival & Ellesmere Port Model Boat Club Regatta

Over Canal Festival

Narrowboats on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, with the River Severn in the background. Copyright Chris Handscombe

30 – 31 Aug 2014
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Address
Over Basin,
Gloucester,
GL2 8DB

A festival showcasing the restoration of the Hereford & Gloucester Canal. Entry is free and the attractions include a Beer and Cider Festival, Dancing, Craft Stalls and Boat Trips along the restored section of the canal.

 

Ellesmere Port Model Boat Club Regatta and fun day

Model Boats putting on a show.
31 Aug 2014
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Address
National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. CH65 4FW.

The 31 August presents a fascinating day out at the National Waterways Museum, come along and find out more about this wonderful hobby.
Come and see an exhibition of model boating skills or have a go yourself. This is really something for all the family.

 

Steam Locomotives of a Leisurely Era 1941 – Gresley Lightweight 2-6-2 – London & North Eastern Railway

No.61701 as running in 1950

This was Sir Nigel Gresley’s last design, and consisted of two engines only, No.3401 ‘Bantam Cock’ and No.3402, unofficially known as ‘Bantam Hen’, although it never actually bore the name.
They were intended to become the prototypes of a new standard class of lighter general purpose engine to replace the aging ‘Atlantics’ and other types from the former GNR, GCR and the rest of the various LNER constituent companies, but owing to Sir Nigel’s untimely death no more were built. E.Thompson, who succeeded him, had different ideas on the subject, and introduced his B1 4-6-0 mixed traffic class for the same purpose. The two Gresley engines spent most of their time in Scotland, mainly on the West Highland lines, but as a non-standard class both were withdrawn in 1957. In 1946 they had become Nos.1700 and 1701, and later BR Nos. 61700-1.
Driving wheels – 5’ 8”, Cylinders (3) – 15”x 26”, Pressure – 250 lb., Tractive effort – 27420 lb., Weight – 70 tons 8 cwt., LNER classification – V4, BR classification – 4MT

275 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces From Chasewater News – Autumn 2004 Part 2 – From the Board Room

The Beattie Well tank at Chasewater Heaths towards sunset

Some Early Lines – Old Railway Companies – Mid-Wales Railway

Some Early Lines

Old Railway Companies

Mid-Wales Railway

Rhayader (Mid-Wales Railway) lost its train service (officially) on 31 December 1962, an event perhaps foreshadowed by the right-hand poster on the end wall, headed ‘TRANSPORT ACT’ which was possibly giving notice of closure. Prospects for the station seemed as dismal as the weather.

 

Llanidloes station, with southbound Mid-Wales line train
View northward, towards Moat Lane Junction: ex-Cambrian Railway Mount Lane – Builth – Three Cocks line. Back in 1949, ex-Cambrian or ex-GW 0-6-0’s worked most of the traffic on this line, which was closed on 31/12/62 although goods traffic continued as far as Llanidloes until 4/5/64. No. 2483 is a GW ‘Dean Goods’ 0-6-0 (built 5/1896, withdrawn 9/52).
© Copyright Ben Brooksbank and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The line was authorised in two sections – the Northern end, Llandiloes-Llandovery, on 1 August 1859, the Southern length (Newbridge-on-Wye to Three Cocks) on 3 July 1860. The Company also gained control of the Three Cocks – Talyllyn section, hitherto owned by the HH&BR. The first sod was cut in a downpour on 2 September, but further work on the 46.75 miles was delayed until 1862. Formal opening took place on 23 August 1864, and the line opened to goods on 1 September. The Company worked the HH&BR while that company was sorting out its ‘illegal’ amalgamation with the B&MTJR, but then had money trouble. Locomotives and rolling stock were sold, WA with the Cambrian Railway were signed, with effect from 2 April 1888, and vesting followed from 24 June 1904. The line was used intensively for coal traffic going north to Scapa Flow during the Great War.

Three Cocks Junction Station, with Hereford – Brecon train
View NE, towards Hereford to the right by the ex-Midland line; ahead to the left the ex-Cambrian Mid-Wales Line joined from Moat Lane Junction via Builth Wells and both continued to Brecon – to the left. The train from Hereford is headed by ex-Midland 3F 0-6-0 No. 43600.
© Copyright Ben Brooksbank and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The Mid-Wales Railway (MWR) was an early railway company operating in Mid-Wales. It was a constituent part of the Cambrian Railways.
Parliament had authorised both the MWR and the Manchester and Milford Railway to connect Llanidloes to Aberystwyth, and so the M&MR had prioritised construction in the Llanidloes area. Eventually an agreement was reached to form the joint Llanidloes and Newtown Railway, which extended 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south to Pentrabane junction, where the MWR and M&MR’s short-lived Llangurig branch diverged. The L&NR opened its line in 1859, enabling through working to and from the MWR line.

Builth Road (Low Level) Station
View SE, towards Three Cocks Junction and Brecon; ex-Cambrian, Mid-Wales line, Brecon – Three Cocks Junction – Moat Lane Junction. The station and the line throughout were closed completely on 31/12/62, but the goods yard here remained connected to the High Level line until 6/9/65.
© Copyright Ben Brooksbank and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The MWR worked the line of the Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway from 1 October 1868 until that company was taken over by the Midland Railway on 1 October 1869. The line from Builth Road to Llandovery was not built, but a connection to the Central Wales Extension Railway was completed on 1 November 1866, enabling goods trains to run to and through that station.
Stations
At Brecon, following the initial opening of three separate stations, a joint station was created at Free Street.
At Llanidloes railway station, the grand junction building that was created in anticipation of M&MR traffic which never materialised, since the Mid Wales Railway never completed their section of the Llangurig – Strata Florida – Aberystwyth line.

Rhayader station, Powys, shortly before closure in 1962

3 January 2010 – Flying Stag  This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

274 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces From Chasewater News – Autumn 2004 Part 1 – Editorial

Canal News – Alvecote, Market Drayton & Alrewas

Canal News

Annual Alvecote Working Boat gathering

A Boat Trip on the Coventry Canal

23 Aug 2014
1100 am – 8:00 pm
Address
Samuel Barlow
Robeys Lane
Alvecote
Near Tamworth
Staffs
B78 1AS

Head to the boat gathering at Alvecote Marina on the Coventry Canal, with stalls and entertainment galore.
Attractions will include historic working boats from the Narrowboat Trust, live music, a beer festival, craft stalls and lots more.

Floating market at Market Drayton

Floating Market

22 – 25 Aug 2014
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Address
Market Drayton, Cheshire
Make your way to Market Drayton on the Shropshire Union Canal and enjoy a few hours browsing around a market with a difference.
Come and browse at this floating market where colourful narrowboats will be selling everything from tiller pins to take-aways.
Why not take your family along and take a walk along the picturesque towpath while you’re there?
Trading boats
The RCTA is still taking bookings from trading boats. For more information and to book your place at one of these events visit http://www.canaltraders.org.uk/markets.html.
If you’ve got any questions about the upcoming markets please contact michael@canaltraders.org.uk.

Alrewas Arts Festival

23 – 30 Aug 2014
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Address
Alrewas, near Lichfield
Staffordshire

The picturesque village of Alrewas is staging a week-long arts festival, kicking off with an arts and crafts street market on the opening Saturday followed by a ceilidh at the village hall in the evening.
Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, will be Music Monday with a variety of bands and musicians playing at pubs and clubs throughout the village from noon until midnight. Art and photographic exhibitions will be open to the public throughout the week and it will be a good opportunity for canal boats, displaying and selling crafts, to moor up in the village.
A graffiti art project involving local youngsters will be on display under one of the canal bridges, so watch out for it as you pass.
There will also be a variety of entertainment on offer, including a folk breakfast, lunchtime concerts, drama, dance, comedy, storytelling, poetry performances and daily morning movies for youngsters. There will be big art events and some patchwork surprises.
The festival will end with a twilight lantern parade, firework display and a grand finale open-air concert on the village playing field, featuring some great bands, ranging from jazz to hard rock.
There is no charge and all are welcome. Bring chairs, blankets, wine and nibbles and enjoy. To find out more and view pictures and video clips from previous festivals, go to the festival website: http://www.alrewas-artsfest.co.uk

Lichfield News – Food Festival and Bike Ride

Lichfield News

 Food Festival and Bike Ride

 

Lichfield Food Festival Market and Pop Up Cookery Demos

Festival goers will be spoilt for choice with the wide range of food and drink stalls and pop up cookery demonstrations at Lichfield Food Festival Market.
This year’s Lichfield Food Festival Market will take place on the Market Square, and will extend to surrounding streets and through Three Spires Shopping Centre. It will run on Saturday 30 August from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday 31 August between 10am and 4pm.

Organised by Lichfield City Council, the weekend market will bring an abundance of passionately produced food from across the region and beyond, together with a wide range of goods to Lichfield.

Markets’ Officer Rachel Clive said: “With such a versatile selection of delicious traditional British and multi-cultural hot and cold food on offer over the weekend, Lichfield Food Festival Market will definitely have something to suit all tastes. On Sunday children can enjoy the experience with a visit to the children’s activity stall on Market Square where, for £2.50, they can create their own personalised sweetie box to take home.”

To see all of the stall holders that will be showcasing their produce, visit http://www.lichfieldfood.co.uk/market/

One of the market’s highlights will be the pop up cookery demonstrations taking place over the two days of the festival on Market Square, organised by Central England Co-operative in association with chef Simon Smith.

Top chefs from across the region will prepare dishes in front of the crowds using The Co-operative food range.

The series of free displays will kick off on Saturday 30 August at 11am when head chef Paul Gilmore from Restaurant Gilmore will take to the pop up kitchen. They will run on the hour with the last demonstration starting at 4pm. Chefs, including choclatier Daniel Jones, star baker Duncan Hindley, local private caterer Simon Smith, Trevor Hancock from Super Yachts and Gail Abbey from Sospa Fitness, will also be cooking up a storm on Saturday.

On Sunday 31 August, the demonstrations will start at 12noon when Paul Bough will prepare dishes using Henckel Zwilling Knives. The displays will run on hour, and will also feature Richard Turner from Turner’s Restaurant, Matt Davies from Moat House and Sorrento’s Head chef Umberto. The final display of the festival will be by the owner of Lichfield’s Ruby restaurant, who will demonstrate Chinese dishes from 4pm.

Chef Simon Smith said: “From high end dining and healthy eating, to chocolate treats and fun food for the family, there are plenty of displays to choose from.”

Lichfield Food Festival also includes a celebration of local brewers in the Guildhall, cookery demonstrations showcasing kitchen gadgets at The Kitchen Shop and The George Hotel, a children’s Cupcake Hunt starting at St Mary’s in the Market Square (Saturday only), a baking competition at Three Spires Shopping Centre (Sunday), as well as food and drink trails.

Some familiar faces will also be appearing, including TV chef Rachel Green, the QVC and Ideal World TV presenter, Mal Harradine, and Christine Wallace, finalist in the Great British Bake Off.

For the full Lichfield Food Festival programme, please visit http://www.lichfieldfood.co.uk

There will be road closures over the two day festival that will affect Tamworth Street (lower section), Conduit Street, Breadmarket Street, Market Street and Bore Street. To find the nearest car parks, please visitwww.lichfielddc.gov.uk/carparkmap

Lichfield Food Festival is organised in partnership by Lichfield District Council, Central England Co-operative, Chef Simon Smith, Lichfield City Council, Three Spires Shopping Centre, Lichfield Arts, Tippers, Cakeydora, The Kitchen Shop and The George Hotel. It is sponsored by Central England Co-operative, Tippers and NFU Mutual.

August’s cycle ride for all

Everyone’s invited to get on their bike and join a cycle ride to Fisherwick Lakes on Sunday 24 August 2014.
Following July’s Cycle Rides for All, which saw 35 people go on a three and a half mile taster cycle ride that set off from Beacon Park, the partnership behind the series of monthly rides is once again inviting keen cyclists to get on their bike for August’s ride.

The sixth group cycle ride in the series is to Fisherwick Lakes on Sunday 24 August. It is an eight and a half mile cycle ride there and back and has been awarded a level 2 for difficulty, which means it is suitable for all.

Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, said: “We’re always keen to encourage more people to get on their bikes and take part in this healthy and fun activity, and so are pleased to be working in partnership to support these monthly cycle rides. They are a great way for people to discover good cycle routes, meet new people, and have an enjoyable day out.”

To join in this free cycle ride, simply bring your bike to Freedom Cycles, in Lichfield Bus Station, at 10am on Sunday 24 August, where it will be given a safety check before the group sets off. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

To find out more, or to check whether a ride is taking place if the weather is uncertain, please call Freedom Cycles on 01543 411633 or Karl Sproston at Lichfield District Council on 01543 308846.

Details of this and September’s cycle ride can be found online at http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/cyclerides.

Cycle Rides for All is run in partnership by Lichfield District Council, Freedom Cycles, Bromford Living, North Lichfield Initiative and Lichfield City Council.

Railway Miscellany – Railroads Create the First Time Zones – St. Paul Union Depot, Seven Years After Closing

Railway Miscellany

November 18, 1883: Railroads Create the First Time Zones

Photo: Railroads. Men working on locomotive II, ca. 1920-ca. 1950. (Library of Congress)

On this day in 1883, American and Canadian railroads began using four continental time zones. This stemmed from schedulers’ confusion transporting passengers across thousands of local times. Most towns in the United States had their own local times based on “high noon” when the sun reached its highest point in the sky.
The railroad companies created the new time coding system without assistance from the federal government. Most Americans and Canadians embraced the time zones since railroads were the primary link between the two countries. Congress did not officially adopt the time zones until 1918 under the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Check out American Experience’s “Streamliners” timeline of significant events related to the development of American railroads.

St. Paul Union Depot, Seven Years After Closing, 1978

Photo via Flickr: Electroburger’s Photostream

Passenger rail service officially came to an end in downtown St. Paul on April 30, 1971. The last train, the Burlington Afternoon Zephyr, left the depot that evening, bound for Minneapolis. Amtrak launched its passenger service to the Twin Cities the next day, bypassing downtown St. Paul. These photos, taken seven years after the fact, come from a wonderful collection by Kurt Haubrich.