GAUGE O GUILD

Into Winter 2020 We are shut down until Spring awaiting an easing of CV19 restrictions. During September, we kept in touch using our WhatsApp and monthly newsletter, before reopening with a double the number of sessions under a ‘Rule of Six’ rota. Being reduced and distanced, we lost some of the resonance of meetings, but as Geoff Roberts commented, “… good to see others”. Our landlords had installed safety measures and allowed us to leave out our Circuit and tables. Our DCC controller was thoroughly tested by Chris M, leaving construction of his SER goods shed. Paul Honey paused painting a taxi load of people to run GWR trains, while Tim S ran industrial types. Paul W’s baseboard construction marathon has given us three sections for a LCDR station that will slot into our Circuit. He celebrated by running his new 14xx tank, auto-coach and blue salt wagons. Roger Harmer set aside 1970s high-capacity wagons, and aided David Grimwood fitting plans onto the baseboards, while Barry K considered the electrics; both DCC and DC. All members should be involved in the varied construction tasks, with those experienced helping. In October, an SR Q1 drew an ever-increasing line of vans, coal wagons and milk tankers around the Circuit. I counted 14, but suspect David Ho. added others. At his table, he assembled a laser-cut shelter for his home station. John P worked on scenic items, as Fred C shewed vegetation encroaching on his ‘Engineers Siding’ diorama, while preparing carriages for painting. We saw Stuart H’s characterful ‘cottage-orné’ and Cambrian carriage. John B, detailing parcels vans, reckoned my aged SR coaches, behind an O2, were CCW products. Tim was making a narrow-gauge engine for his brewery layout. Nearby were Margate’s SECR goods shed, awaited windows, and a Thanet tram under construction. While an electrically suspect 4-4-0 loco was inspected, trains circled including an LMS jack-shaft diesel, an SR 0-4-2 Jubilee and GWR King George III. Colin Curtis, well known as South-East Area Rep. for many years, and one-time Guild Secretary, died at the beginning of December. His family said that he had been ailing before developing complications. Many of our group had enjoyed assisting him on the Guild’s Information Stand at shows. In EKOGG’s early years, his scenic work was a feature of our modular displays, with detailed backscenes and quirky vignettes. He scratch-built using a variety of mediums, including card for LTE underground stock. He was a regular at our Faversham talks and Barn meetings until mobility problems prevented his coming. Colin helped operate when we took the Edington layout to its first show. We will remember his sense of humour and companionship. Our members are making models at home during this time. John Mi. has a freelance double framed goods loco concocted around some 4F wheels, an LNWR Webb tender body and a resin SER 01 boiler; while another member is covered in polystyrene bobbles from carving a Welsh hillside, and Geoff is scratch building a South African n-g K4 Garrett. A brass Class 67 in Colas livery is progressing, and there appears to be an outbreak of bogie bolsters. You can see these models on our website at www.ekogg.org.uk. Hopefully, later in 2021 we’ll see them, and maybe you, at our Badlesmere HQ. Rob Moody