Despite (or maybe because of) the truly disappointing weather of Spring and Early Summer 2024 COVGOG has had a busy and fruitful time. At our April open day, we held a series of competitions to showcase the work of our members. The loco building competition was won by John Wilkinson with his GW Metro Tank. Dave Pegg won both the carriage and non-passenger carrying coaching stock competitions and William Pegg (Dave’s son and far and away our youngest member) won the wagon building competition with a fine open wagon and load.
In May a group of us travelled to Bury and the East Lancashire Railway. We were treated like VIPs with a comprehensive tour of the works and signalbox before a ride along the entire length of the railway behind a very well turned out Jinty. For once the sun shone and a grand day out was had by all. Many thanks to Matt Havelock for driving a group of us up to Bury in a minibus.
Our recent skills night saw us each battling sheets of Slaters plastic card to make the low relief terrace houses that will form part of the back scene of our layout. William Pegg produced 3D printed windows and doors and the simple but effective design meant that we ended up with consistent high standard of model. These are currently being glued together and painted.
Finally, on one of the hottest evenings of the year we welcomed our friend and fellow-member Jim Gibbons who gave us a most interesting talk on the evolution of the Hastings line DEMUs and the work of the Hastings Diesels Group.
Paul Williams
