Moving on from the previous meeting’s theme of diesel and petrol railcars our theme today focussed on the steam hauled variety. Auto-coaches were in abundance, and I don’t know what the collective noun for auto-coaches is but there were a lot of them. Roger had an H Class in BR livery running round pulling or pushing a push-pull set in SR green. Fred had a BR pannier tank running with an auto-coach and some wagons including a nicely weathered manure wagon. Back in the day before we just flushed it into our rivers and the sea the transportation of manure was big business so, perhaps, we ought to see more manure wagons than we do. Fred later ran a GWR pannier with two auto-coaches while Paul W had his GWR 58xx running round the circuit with an auto-coach and then Rob ran a BR pannier and an auto-coach in a maroon livery. And lastly John B had his SECR terrier and two coaches.
Over in the corner by the window QCD was being given some attention with David L, Paul W, Steve, Tim and Bill all in attendance from time to time. On the big table Geoff had brought in a number of models from his collection, Roger was trying to off-load old modelling magazines before the end of the meeting when they would be consigned to the bin. John B was building more low relief terraced housing and Peter was working on a laser cut awning kit that he intends to use for a warehouse unloading bay. In the store room David Ho continued work on the new micro-layout Badlesham and over lunch he and Roger announced that they have accepted an invitation for it to appear at the Erith show on the 30 and 31 of January next year. Over lunch I reported that David G had spoken with the good folk at The George in Molash and they are looking forward to hosting us for our 40th anniversary lunch on Saturday 26 September at 12.15pm. We have indicated a likely attendance of between 12 and 15 EKOGGies and will firm up on numbers nearer the time. David confirmed that the menu at The George is set on the day according to what is in season with a basic set price meal of £24. David Ho, assisted by Tim and others, managed to keep everybody supplied with tea and coffee until we packed our bags and put everything away and made our way home. Chris
