This last of the ‘catch-up’ posts from our 2024 meetings is about our October gathering at the Brockhampton and Umbridge. The weather held out for us and we benefited from the low autumn light meeting this late in the year. When the clouds looked threatening, we were able to retreat to the cosy garden accommodation to eat a wonderful lunch spread. And we ran lots of trains around the extensive model village at the heart of this line.
16mmngm
September ’24 Meeting at the Hoffnant Valley Railway
Another ‘catch-up’ post from last September, when the group returned to the Hoffnant Valley railway. Despite an iffy forecast and a few drops of rain, the weather held up and we ran a great many trains (as well as drinking a great deal of tea and coffee and and eating a great deal of food). The line has two independent loops and there is a pond in the middle for scenic – and wildlife – interest.
September ’24 Meeting at the Derwen Fawr Railway
Another ‘catch-up’ post, from last September when the group made its first visit to the Derwen Fawr railway. As well as a raised running loop, this links to a portable Inglenook shunting puzzle. This caused a fair amount of head scratching with members trying to arrange the wagons to the order determined by counters drawn at random, within the constraints imposed by the length of the sidings… Meanwhile on the loop plenty of trains ran – both live steam and electric.
August ’24 Meeting at the Preseli Mountain Railway
Another ‘catch-up’ post. Our August meeting last summer was touch and go with the weather and was on and off a couple of times, but in the event it held up beautifully for a range of locos visiting the Preseli Mountain Railway’s gala. There was lots of steam, lots of laughs, good food and no collisions(!)
June ’24 Meeting at the Rhos and Betws Tramway
Updates for our meetings have fallen almost a year behind, but as we are about to begin this years gatherings, your webmaster has some catching up to do! Looking back to last June, the weather was favourable for our June gathering at the Rhos and Betws. This involved some anniversary celebrations, with quite a crowd, plenty of food and sterling service on the tea and coffee provision, and of course many trains ran! We have had many meetings at the Rhos and Betws, new this time a turntable and an additional bridge to allow steaming up the line’s newly acquired coal-fired Linda…