Today our focus was on Southern Green coaches and as is often the case with our focus was more honoured in the breach than the observance. However, we did have Sean running his EMU set, John B running his two recently constructed four wheel coaches, Ross’s parcels van and Rob with a very nice K&ESR coach. This latter coach being pulled along by Rob’s ex LSWR Class O2 0-4-4T. Not Southern, not green and definitely not a coach was Roger’s Class O9 diesel in Network Southeast livery and bearing the name Ivor. The prototype was based at Slade Green and if asked Roger could probably tell you the name of the driver.
On the big table John B was working on a WDT 0-6-0 tank that he had recently acquired and which he is to “Anglicise” adding more appropriate buffers and couplings. Elsewhere work on the wiring of the Queen Charlotte Dock baseboards moved on with David L, Tim and Barry K testing the circuits.
At lunch David Gr confirmed that Barry Weston had accepted our offer of Life Membership of the Group. For those newer members who don’t know, Barry, who is an excellent modeller and loco builder, has been a stalwart member of EKOGG for many years but has been unable to come to our meetings for some time now due to his wife’s ill health.
Several people reported on the Faversham show held the previous weekend. Geoff had been there with a diorama and Steve was there with a small N gauge layout. Both Ross and Martin had been there as well helping Mike Perry out with running his Tar Works layout. Their supposedly unseen role was behind the scenes loading and unloading wagons but as they are both well-known people kept coming up to talk to them thus destroying the illusion. Still, it was good of them to help Mike out with his layout.
Roger informed the meeting of two forthcoming shows, namely Beckenham on the 19 October where he will be manning the SECR Society stand and Uckfield on the 19th and 20th October. In addition, Martin pointed out there is also the Folkestone show on the 5th and 6th October.
As usual David Ho kept us all provided with teas and coffees until close of play and we made our way home. Chris
