Our theme for the day was bogie diesels. They are all a mystery to me but clearly, they have a strong following at EKOGG as very quickly the big table was groaning under their weight and members were discussing the finer points of these monsters and whether this or that grill was in the right position or not. Various classes and variations were represented. First off John D ran a Lima DB Diesel which was quickly followed by many of the home-grown models folk had brought in. Roger had a Class 33, a Class 56, a Class 59 and a Class 60 while Angela and Martin had a Class 25, a Class 31, a Class 33, a Class 37 and a Class 55 Deltic. Angela and Martin also had three Pullman coaches which were hauled around the circuit by the Deltic and various diesels from time to time.
David G had a Class 20, a Class 21 and a Class 24 and at least one of these had a run out on the circuit pulling Roger’s train of eight tanker wagons. Bill had a Class 37 which he ran on the circuit with some non-passenger coaching stock and on the big table Geoff had brought along a Class 15 and two Class 24s.
Later while nobody was looking, I ran my SECR D Class on the circuit. This has now been “chipped” and ran beautifully with all the bells, whistles and chuff-chuff noises so annoying to DC modellers. I then put my SECR O Class on the circuit, but it refused to run owing to a screw loose in the locomotive rather than the owner (allegedly). Back on the big table John D had a beaten-up old Bassett Lowke Midland 4-4-0 Compound that he succeeded in straightening out with Dave B’s help, Roger was painting figures and finalising the “History of EKOGG” for circulation to members while Steve was playing with some Dinky toys. Over lunch Geoff reported that he had attended the K&ESR show at the weekend and would also be at the Ramsgate Tunnels this coming Sunday and as always David Ho kept up the supply of teas and coffees until we headed off homewards. Chris
