The Americans did it in oils and had a lot more personnel; don’t they always. 

The Chairman and the Treasurer do their thing as the final decision is reached and passed by the members.

 

Why change what has worked for years; well, the world is changing and so are the circumstances under which the club operates. We needed to consider the potential rising costs of building, running and maintaining layouts while we have little doubt that the club will be  subject to a rent increase over coming year, given the present dour economic circumstances existing in the UK. Also a small boost to club members would not be amiss, as it would give us more flexibility in offering the club models to the exhibition circuit, so if you fancy some operational training and are keen to meet the public, you are just what we seek.

 

We have changed the funding system to make things easier for the treasurer, but have retained the flexibility in funding which I feel has always been one of our strengths. If you don’t use it you don’t pay for it, while visitors who come to see us “on spec” don’t pay either. In any event 3 hours of entertainment, tea, cakes and biscuits on a Saturday afternoon is very good value for only £3.

 

The matter of the N Gauge Society's’ proposal to become “Limited by Guarantee” again reared its ugly head, (a proposal which we unanimously reject) was further discussed to ensure that the clubs assets were deemed fireproof should the worst case scenario become fact.

 

The Chairman and treasurer where again confirmed in their offices by a unanimous vote, but we are to change our exhibition manager as Derek is unable to give as time as he would wish due to business commitments. Our Dave is to take on the roll to see how it fits, but page 2 has not yet been altered, as, until the appointment has appeared in writing and whether or not he will wish to operate a new email address for the clubs business I thought it better to continue the existing format. The new Editor was congratulated on doing a grand job on the Newsletter, while the Webmaster hung his head in shame, but has been offered help in 2012 should the matter of HS2 return to its previous frenetic pace.

2011

In general it seems to have been a fairly good year considering the floundering economy and the tragic loss of Mike. In particular, the tour of duty of Waterstock at the National N Gauge Exhibition was deemed a triumph by those who went and those who spent much time clustered around the model asking questions and nattering with the operators. “A grand time was had by all” in fact.

 

As usual, I missed it! Something which has been the theme of my modelling career this year due to the requirement to provide Newsletters, promotional material and attend rallies, clinics etc. to talk to those who do not yet understand what HS2 will do or not do to  or for them. I have also created 2 models of the areas of Water Orton which will be affected, so perhaps not all modelling ceased! Next year, who knows?

 

Tipton Hills has become the clubs second model, largely due to the continuing efforts of Dave and Rodney, with a little help from their friends. Hey, I made them a base/legs, perhaps I haven’t been dead loss this year! It has now sprouted a fiddle-yard, a station and runs much more reliably. However, such are vicissitudes of railway modelling that we can run a huge class 60 or 66 but find that a tiny 0-6-0T pannier tank doesn’t fancy the curly bits at all!

 

Waterstock has been upgraded and it’s operational potential expanded so that we can now run long freight trains and “specials” along the Thame branch making the potential operations far more realistic, while the addition of the link from the Thame line to the east to west mainline is a huge benefit and allows the transfer of locomotives to the shed to be much speedier. The  shed layout has been altered to improve operation, but still does not allow locomotives onto the model without blocking the mainline, something which has generated much discussion. The worst bugbear on Waterstock this year has been the shed turntable, which despite an almost continuous effort by Dave with help from Len, simply refuses to run smoothly.

 

Despite, the trials and tribulations Dave now has a new idea and feels that rather than adopt a flexible drive, which has proved problematical because of the whip involved when the table turns over certain slightly tighter sections of its circular travel, he will be better served by a fixed “all-in-one” system in which motor, drive and turntable are one unit, his main problem seems to be mounting such a system adequately under the model, given the available space and fixings. (I hope I got this right Dave)

 

Finally, we have already accepted some offers for models to be exhibited at venues and provisionally agreed to show Waterstock at the NEC in 2014, but we are still taking orders for 2012 & 2013 if anyone out there wishes to have our merry band entertain their customers just contact us and we will provide details of the model and the requirements to be met.

 

Any new members, contact Ken or follow the instructions on page 3.

 

Best wishes to all and happy modelling in 2012.  MPT