It's been a very quiet year as far as this blog is concerned, to be honest I haven't had that much to post here, 2016 has seen very little activity on the modelling front, but, I have been busy with other things concerning my personal life.
"Steam on the Cambrian" has been out and about to a few exhibitions, The highlight of the year being taking to layout to Perth, Scotland in June. A very enjoyable 4 days spent travelling, exhibiting and a bit of sight seeing.
I took the plunge and joined MERG (Model Electronics Railway Group) and consider joining a wise investment, It was well worth the joining fee to be able to order some of their kits and components not available to non members and I intend to use some of the kits on my new layout "Smestow Sidings" (More about that later in the new year).
"Steam on the Cambrian" was set up in the Engine House at Highley. We were put directly in front of Gordon the LMR 2-10-0 locomotive and thanks to the organisers we had a great weekend.
Other exhibitions attended were Sutton Coldfield in March, my home club Cradley Heath MRC in October and Burton on Trent in November. Unfortunately illness and hospital prevented me from attending Wolverhampton and Warley Woods exhibitions. I suffer from COPD and a severe chest infection made those shows impossible to attend.
On the modelling front, I've not done as much as i would have liked this year, I have a long list of jobs waiting to find time and space on my workbench. I hope to make some sort of start and progress soon and will be posting some of the work here on this blog so look out for some progress posts soon.
Plans for 2017 include a couple of outings with the layout to Telford and Litchfield. I've not been actively looking for invitations as I'm trying now due to my health and age to limit showing to about 4 exhibitions a year, hopefully well spaced out throughout the year.
I'm also involved with the Cradley Heath MR Club layout "Halfpenny Green" and hope to be with the team at it's next outing at Kidlington Oxford on the 7th /8th January next.
I'm also very seriously thinking about a change of scale to 7mm 0 gauge, I've got my eye on either a JLTRT Pannier tank kit or maybe the Lionheart/ Dapol model when it becomes available, I have a soft spot for panniers as I am old enough to remember seeing them in service under BR in the late 50's early 60's and having a footplate ride on one from Brierley Hill to Stourbridge Junction. My uncle Ken being a fireman at Stourbridge Junction shed (84F)
Well that just about sums up what was a mixed year for me as far as hobby activity goes. I hope that next Christmas I shall have some more positive news to post here.
In the meantime have a good Christmas and a happy new year to you all.
Cheers for now
Frank
