At the recent club dinner the Peter James Trophy was awarded to Ian Denton for his meticulous attention to research and details when building his models. It was also decided that the Winchester Trophy (the section of bull-head rail) should be awarded to the member showing most progress in modeling skills during the last 12 months. This award was given to Richard Gower. Well done to both of you.
It may be that we shall decide to award one or two of the other trophies each year in the future and we shall need to define reasons that cover all the modeling skills within the club. (Better they collect dust at your homes than in the clubroom!) Please note the change in dates to regular events in the diary. I have postponed Show and Tell for one week in March and May as those weeks Abbotstone will be dismantled ready for the weekends' exhibitions.
OO gauge Matters
At a recent meeting members are putting together their thoughts on building an exhibition 00 layout. When their proposals are ready a full club meeting will be called to discuss the matter.
EM gauge Matters
Progress continues with the scenics on this layout.
O gauge Matters
We have several exhibitions coming up in the next few months. We need to put together the travel and staffing arrangements soon, as hotel rooms may need to be booked for anyone who wishes to travel less and assist with erection.
In the clubroom the recent running sessions were acceptable and with a little tweaking here and there should form the basis of a workable sequence session. The present sequence will have through trains added running from Itchen Bottom through Canal Junction. These will need to be run in between the end to end running that was seen recently. At the same time the main fiddle yard will be used to add running potential at Abbotstone and allow for rakes of visiting stock to be exchanged for the rakes normally seen. The exchange of a 'special' vehicle between trains, involving the Branch and Itchen Bottom, should throw a spanner into the works and keep the mind alert.
Other Business
The Summer Party will be held at David Deere-Jones home again this year. David wishes to make up for the cancelled Christmas Party. A date will be decided on his return to England.
