Page 24 - March April 2015

Milepost 70 – Part 2
. . . the engineer slowly opened the regulator. With a hiss of steam the sleek, streamlined locomotive moved slowly through the yard, on to the refuelling road.
“We’ve got to have enough water and fuel to get to Milepost 70 plus make allowances for any additional stops we’re going to make on the way. I know that there will be a lot a lot of people coming out to see us along the way,” said the Conductor. While he made himself busy collecting the latest train orders from the yard office, the Engineer and Fireman located the refuelling and water points and carefully filled the locomotive.
Showing our wares
You will see from our marketing plan in this issue of Roundhouse that part of our efforts to become better known is to have a greater presence at shows and exhibitions up and down the country.
Being on a stand at a show, whilst sometimes exhausting, is also a great way to meet people while having fun. If you are lucky enough to be at a show where we are having ‘mini clinics’ you can even get your own modelling done while sharing know- how.
This is not something that can be done by a small group of people alone, no matter how dedicated or enthusiastic. It needs help from more people, people like you. You may think you
Mike Hughes
“There’s no turntable here so we’ll have to turn her on the wye,” said the Engineer. “The curves are a bit tight for us but I’m sure we can get round it with care.” With that, he once more cracked open the regulator to let steam in to the pistons. With creaks and groans from the tight track curves the locomotive was carefully turned, then driven forward and stopped outside the yard office.
The Conductor came out from the office with the latest train orders. “We’re going to be picking up people along the way, with the final stop being for a load of Conventioneers at Milepost 70. They think it’s so important they’ve even created a special marker for that milepost,” he excitedly exclaimed. “I’m not supposed to show you this until later along the journey but I just can’t keep it to myself. Here, have a look.” With that, he pulled out the drawing he’d been given. “What do you think?” . . . (to be continued)
Mike Hughes
don’t know very much, but you’d be surprised just how much know-how you have. What to you seems simple and common- place, to the newcomer is almost magic. For example, being shown how to use liquid solvent instead of the traditional stringy glue to put a simple plastic kit together can get an onlooker converted to a modeller.
It doesn’t matter how little time you have to spend, it will all be appreciated. Even one hour can allow someone else to have a short refreshment or comfort break.
Let us know what shows there are in your area and we’ll supply you with all the marketing material you’ll need – sharing know- how is fun!
At a previous Brighton Modelworld, a rota manned NMRA-BR’s publicity stand and tables, showing modelling being done on the spot.
Here Ron Gager, Mike Arnold and Anthony Harris chat to visitors while Alan Crooks runs a small demo layout alongside, and Charles Hendy works in the background.
Photo: Mike Hughes
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