June 2022 Update

Following the disappointments of the last two years it is pleasing to report that COVGOG activity is largely back to something approaching normal. (To safeguard members the use of face coverings at meetings remains optional). Our Tuesday evening sessions generally operate on a cycle with running sessions, club nights and skills nights being held every month. However, in May we were able to welcome our first guest speaker in a long time. Richard Spoors (who will be known to many Guild members) came along and gave a fascinating presentation to the club about his career in railway infrastructure development and maintenance. Thank you, Richard.

In April COVGOG held what became known as “Super Saturday”. Owing to continuing concerns over COVID it was not possible to have a full open day attendance being restricted to club members. However, we set up the full test track with extensive sidings and our evolving scenic section. We also held a series of competitions covering locomotive building, freight stock and non-passenger carrying coaching stock. There was also the Mike Lee trophy to award to the best model in the show. Both the loco building competition and Mike Lee trophy were won by Rod Dolman for his very fine MOK Standard 4MT “Flying Pig”.

June saw a number of members braving the increases in fuel prices and venturing up the M1 to Doncaster. As with Kettering it was great to catch up with friends and have a good natter. It was particularly heartening to see a number of new products in development. Next stop Stafford!!

Paul Williams