Sunday 9 September 2018

Woking show 2018

 Up to Woking yesterday fundamentally to assist a mate with a bit of operating; though that in itself is another story. Obviously I can't comment on the Sunday's proceedings , but counter to my slagging of the catering department last year, I can say that when I was in the cafĂ© area, all appeared to be going swimmingly and no 'we've go no food left' notice as before.
An excellent spread of layouts - Arun Quay (obvs) an American Fn3 gauge which just had so much presence and one I was particularly drawn to was very old personal home layout in EM. I take it was built decades ago by someone who is long deceased, but it just oozed atmosphere even though it was tatty and showing it's age. However - it ran and lots of it.
The 009 Society much in evidence with Martin Collins and Paul Davies manning the desk alongside Welshpool. And opposite us downstairs; Adrian Ponting's Aldbourne with his Society competition entry railcar.



8 comments:

  1. Looks like a good show. You've got me (and Google) with "F Gauge" - can't find out what it is, definition please!
    Mick

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  2. Fn3 I think the F is for F***ing huge!
    https://www.kirnbachtaeler.de/modell/intermodellbau/2016/09orangeriver.html

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  3. THE STORY OF "F" (briefly) according to CP

    Back in the depths of time LGB decided to do a "Spaghetti Western" variant (with 4-wheel tender) of their archetypal "STAINZ" locomotive. They were of course thus treading familiar ground because Egger-Bahn had even earlier done the same thing with their squashed version in “HOe”. LGB in theory was 1:22.5 scale cum 13.5mm/ft on 45mm track for metre gauge – I say “in theory” for the original “STAINZ” was not a metre gauge loco.

    No doubt keen to foster sales in the USA LGB then produced a 2-6-0 with 8-wheel tender of more appropriately North American outline. Other companies followed suit but using 1:24 scale and still using the appellation “G” scale. This of course made the 45mm track more like 3ft 6ins gauge, and eventually “F” – for 15mm/ft scale – and dubbed “Fn3” was conceived to provide accurate 3ft gauge on 45mm track.

    Here endeth the lesson.


    Christopher Payne

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  4. Just had a look at the Fn3 layout. US layout's don't usually appeal but this one oozes atmosphere.

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  5. Thanks for the educating info Christopher, I think I prefer Chris (F)'s definition better! I've been further educated by Mark Davies about the F = Fifteen (mil scale) connotation and this reminded me of Neil Tee's superb 15mm scale County Donegal stock that he displayed at Pewsey some 9 or 10 years ago (back when Chris (F) was still just a youngster) that often appears in You Tube films of his splendid garden railway - but I never connected the "F" bit with this scale before - we live and learn, something new nearly every day.

    Good grief this is turning into a bit of a "splinter Blog" all on its own. At least we should all be thankful that Chris (F) has made a return to NG and hopefully is now weaned off his diversion into the world of dark green engines with brass milk churns on top of their boilers..................

    Mick

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  6. Don't you believe it Mick. I'm sure most of us secretly, and not so secretly, admire the works of Mr Brunel.

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  7. Speak for yourself.

    Mrs Brunel

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  8. Dear Mrs Brunel

    It so happens that at the REC Woking exhibition over the weekend one of the organisers spoke of his admiration for your husband's work. In this context (and being of similar stature) he wondered if he should appear in costume of Victorian suit and very tall top hat. I suggested this would be inadvisable as it would take all the other members of the REC (and more) to carry the vast links of heavy chain that would be necessary as the backdrop for the recreation of a suitable photograph recording the occasion.

    Christopher Payne

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