Page 7 - November December 2007

Down Copdock Way – a report from the 2007 British Region Convention
Shakespeare wrote: ‘And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here’ (the Crispin’s Day speech by Henry V on the eve of battle). And so it may be for those who thought about coming but de- cided not to, or were prevented by the closure of the M25 at the Dartford Crossing, or for other reasons. So what did you miss?
The photos elsewhere tell their own story, and Tim Rudge has covered points in his President’s Car. On the model railroad front, there was this year a train show in one large hall, separated from the main hotel, with layouts in gauges N to O with most others in between. There was modern era and late 1800s; 1950s narrow gauge struggling to survive; there was diesel and steam; DC and DCC. It was the usual mix of layouts from members plus two from the local model railway club in Ipswich which has a thriving North American section. We even had an overseas layout again, this time from Germany by Alain Kap with his ‘Alice Street’ layout (see August 2007 Roundhouse). Ian Wilson returned with his layout ‘Glendale Springs’ on the show circuit. And for once the Friday activity did meet its billed start time of 3.00 pm – two layouts, Devil’s Creek and Glendale Springs, were operating by 10.30 am! Traders were taking hard cash before 11.00 am! Even Ken O’Shea and Peter Lloyd-Jones got there by 12.30 pm all the way from Plymouth. Only one stand had not set up by close of the first session.
For some the Convention kicked off on Thursday night, with over 80 guests at the hotel. There was good chat, and a few Newcastle Browns were downed that night.
Friday evening kicked off at 8 o’clock with a clinic by Pelle Soeborg on weathering and a talk by Tourist Board blue badge Dick Barton on places to visit in Constable country and farther afield. Dave and Gerry Burman also gave details of the six self- drive tours they had worked up. The briefing proved very useful for both the coach trip on Saturday to Colchester and also those who drove themselves to Colchester Zoo. Colchester even put on a special display in the castle grounds re-enacting Roman rule of
2000 years ago in a twinning ceremony with a town in France – very impressive.
Although there was a queue at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning, including one member desperate for a cup of coffee having left home at 2.00 am from 20 miles south of the Scottish border, attendance on Saturday by day visitors was disappointing but, as Shakespeare said, those not there may regret that. The train show was complemented by a full clinic programme including two more sessions by Pelle Soeborg (weathering and detailing the layout); Pacific Northwest logging lines by Alan Sewell (see October Roundhouse); DCC Update on sound by Ted Smale; and AP and Contests by Steve Park and Terry Wynne. On Sunday Pelle finished his session before dashing to the airport for his trip home, while Peter Harris conducted an N Scale kits master class
building a 53' spine car to round out the programme. Members who want a copy of Pelle’s material for download from the web- site can access it in the members’ area (http://www.nmrabr.org. uk/members_clinics.asp).
And finally the food – everybody seemed to be very positive about the fare offered at breakfast and dinner on both mornings and nights – those mushrooms! And have you ever seen a kit- builder’s guide to muesli – you could put it together any which way. Even the sandwiches at lunchtime got rave reviews – just what was in those beef salad rolls and sandwiches to warrant the description ‘magic’ by one conventioneer? Obviously the Saturday night banquet was not so filling that it prevented any midnight running of the train show – lights out was at half past midnight, with an extra hour in bed.
So was it a good one? Well, it all depends what you are looking for. If the food scores highly, accommodation is good and the train show offers much stimulation, inspiration and enjoyment, it must have been on the right track. Highlights for each attendee will vary, but for many it was meeting Pelle Soeborg, who showed how simple it all really is to lift a model or a complete layout out of the ordinary by careful weathering and detailing. As Pelle said, your best tool is your eyes.
NoN-rail report from the CoNveNtioN ladies’ parlour Car
Gentlemen – please show this to your other halves!
Many of you may be aware, since talking to me at this year’s Convention, that I have been asked to take over as Chair of Non-Rail. Unfortunately, due to my husband’s nerves in making his first address as President at the gala dinner, he forgot to announce it!
During the Convention weekend, I managed to chat to quite a few of you about what you would like to see and do at future conventions. A common view was more things to do at the hotel, as not everyone wants to go shopping. Some ideas and suggestions about activities for the ladies would therefore be very welcome.
Entries in the non-rail contests have been in decline for several years, and talking to some people, it seems to be partly due to uninspiring categories and partly due to people lacking confidence in their own abilities. I therefore wondered if it would inspire people if we developed some new and different categories? Suggestions and ideas would
Kay Rudge
be gratefully received and we can then discuss this further. After all, we have a year in which to plan it!
My plan is to place an article for the ladies in each Round- house. Any contributions from you would be very welcome, as I am sure I will not always have things to say and your views are very important.
I would also like to thank Sue Wynne for her hard work and excellent card clinics she kindly ran at this year’s Convention at Copdock. As always, they were well attended and welcomed by many. Many thanks also Sue for ‘caretaking’ the Ladies’ Room for the weekend. It was much appreciated!
So come on, ladies, please support this column and my efforts to re-establish the non-rail activities. This is our chance to liven things up and make the Convention weekend really interesting for everyone!
I can be contacted by telephone on 01225 340993 (after 6 pm please) or by email on nonrail@nmrabr.org.uk
december 2007