Setting up began early and it soon became apparent that the sales table would have to be set up outside due to lack of space. The theory being, I suppose, to “catch ‘em on the way in and to catch ‘em again on the way out”. Anyway, the weather was kind, unlike last year when […]
General
Wednesday 19 June 2024
Today was Tank Engine day on the circuit and an incredible number of them were brought along to Badlesmere. Fred probably won first prize for the most locos as he had a good half dozen or more including an LMS Fairburn Tank which trundled quite nicely around the circuit.Amongst the other tank engines seen on […]
Wednesday 5 June 2024
Today on the circuit we were supposedly focusing on pre-1960’s freight stock although in the event it turned out to be mainly pre-1910 freight stock as I had brought in a selection of my SECR wagons and vans. Nevertheless, they made up an interesting if anachronistic train being hauled at various times by members’ locos […]
Saturday 25 May 2024
Today was the second of our Saturday running sessions on the circuit and was pretty well attended with the circuit being in constant use right from the start.Nearly everybody had brought along something to run. Amongst other things running round the circuit John P had brought in his R1 and ran it pulling a goods […]
Wednesday 15 May 2024
The circuit was quickly set up with today’s focus being on tender engines. Very soon both tracks were fully occupied with trains running round and others waiting for their turn. The predominant motive power was steam with the recent spate of diesels having abated.John D ran a green 4-4-0 tender loco of unknown provenance with […]
Wednesday 1 May 2024
It was a very busy day at Badlesmere with lots going on. John B and Paul H both continued working on their buildings while David Ho and Roger swapped notes and worked on their respective Class 33 Diesels.Meanwhile on QCD Bill and Nick carried on working on the dockside surface and Fred applied paint to […]
Saturday 27 April 2024
As requested by various members, not least at the AGM, today was a running day on the circuit for those members who find it difficult to come to the Wednesday meetings.Unfortunately, none of those members turned up so the rest of us had the circuit to ourselves.We’ll persevere and have another running day on the […]
Wednesday 17 April 2024
We arrived to find that part of the stage had been removed and the area thus released now storing the tables and chairs. This appears to be a permanent move and certainly makes the hall feel more spacious.Once the circuit was set up Rob ran his favourite loco of the day, an Adams Radial Tank.This […]
Wednesday 3 April 2024
Today’s focus on the circuit was 1950’s BR. Roger ran his ex SECR O1 hauling a long goods train. This struggled a bit due to the weight of the several coal wagons in the train but once these were taken out the O1 coped very well. The coal wagons were then made up into another […]
Saturday 23 March 2024
Today’s entertainment was kindly provided by Ross who gave a very interesting multi-media presentation on the Isle of Wight line from Ryde Pier Head to Ventnor. Ross’s talk included still photographs from the late fifties and early sixties together with a sound recording and reminisces of a trip Ross had taken over the line in […]
Wednesday 20 March 2024
In a surprising outbreak of Spring sunshine sixteen of us forsook our gardening duties to play trains at Badlesmere. After the circuit was set up Paul H ran his GWR Class 2800 2-8-0 hauling a mixed freight train and Fred ran his GWR saddle tank. Ross then gave his Fowler 0-4-0 diesel shunter a turn […]
Bob Fridd’s funeral
Several EKOGG members were in the large crowd at Bob Fridd’s funeral at Barham crematorium on 14th March. The celebrant was our very own Fr Jack, who was able to give a suitable eulogy, quoting from several tributes from family and friends. John Minter kindly gave me a lift there and back via the reception at […]
Wednesday 6 March 2024
Today’s theme on the circuit was “Latest Acquisitions”. Both David L and Jack F had recently acquired Dapol Sentinel shunters, these were DCC and DC respectively. Both Sentinels were given a running in and performed admirably. Ross ran his Terrier with a short train and later Bill ran his LSWR O2 and train. Amongst other […]
Annual General Meeting
A) Chairman’s Report: Chris noted that the hall rent had risen from £30 a meeting to £44, and electricity charges were expected to rise. He thanked the Secretary and Treasurer, and Paul W and Barry K for their work. A question was asked about the number of paid up members, the answer was 34 (including […]
Wednesday 21 February 2024
Ian Earl, the hall booking manager, popped in to exchange our old heating cards for new contact less ones to be used on the new meter that has recently been installed. A point to bear in mind is that the new cards are not to be thrown away once used as they need to be […]
Wednesday 7 February 2024
Today at Badlesmere we had a very full running session with some very interesting locos and stock taking a turn or two on the circuit. Fred kicked it all off running his Castle followed by a J94 and then an experimental LMS diesel shunter. Rob ran a short train of a milk tanker and panelled […]
Erith MR Show 27-28 January 2024
We had the full team (David L, Tim, me, Bill and Martin) out on both days as we took the layout to the Longfield show. We were tucked away in a corner next to the EKOGG stand which was manned by Roger who gave out EKOGG leaflets and told everybody what a wonderful bunch we […]
Wednesday 17 January 2024
We arrived at Badlesmere on a freezing cold day to find icicles hanging from the taps in the kitchen. As everyone knows a steady supply of tea and/or coffee is an essential prerequisite of railway modelling. Luckily David Ho quickly sprang into action and slowly defrosted the taps allowing kettles to be boiled and teas and coffees to be served […]
Wednesday 3 January 2024
Shaking off the excesses of the festive season we set up the circuit where we had no set theme for the day. However, it quickly became apparent that the theme of the day was to be Great Western based. Fred ran a King, King George III, two Castles, Dartmouth Castle and Earl of Dartmouth and […]
Maidstone MR Show 29-30 December 2023
The Queen Charlotte Dock operating team of David L, Tim, me, Bill (on Friday) and Martin (on Saturday) took the layout to the Maidstone show for its maiden outing.Once set up and after sorting out one or two teething problems we quickly established an operational modus operandi for the upper level. This always involved two […]
