Page 14 - January February 2016

A Day Out at the Bearwood Group Charles Hendy
I decided in November that I would pay a visit to the meeting of the Bearwood modular group on 12 December. I knew in advance that I wouldn’t be able to have the car that day, so I went on the South West Trains website to see what was available. I booked a return ticket, with the outward journey leaving Waterloo at 08.05 and the return journey leaving Bournemouth at 17.59. Using my Senior Railcard, I was able to book 1st class return tickets for only £23.80.
I set the alarm for 06.15 and after a quick breakfast, I set off for Waterloo station where I had time for a coffee and croissant before boarding the train, which departed on time. Arriving at Bournemouth, again on time, I caught the No. 6 bus to Bearwood, arriving at 10.45. By this time the modules had been erected and final preparations were taking place to run the first train of the day. With all of the electrics connected, all worked well from the outset.
On the day, the group used the JMRI formal operations module. Tom Winlow was advised in advance which modules would be brought by the members, and also the freight cars and where they would be positioned on each module. Dale Yard at one end had a selection of cars, also pre-advised. I was handed a clipboard with a manifest and a printed plan of the modules from Dale Yard to Trident Park at the other end of the route.
I was paired up with a member of the group and we acted as Conductor and Engineer. We had to identify the cars in Dale Yard and make up our train, and work it down the line, dropping off and picking up cars as we went. It makes a difference if you study first the order in which you first make
up your train, as it helps when you depart the yard and drop off and collect cars.
There was also a train being worked coming towards us, so we had to take the siding at Rockwood Depot and await our turn to proceed to Trident. There was much good-natured banter going on whilst we were doing all this.
During the morning, a member of the group came around and took our lunch orders and we all sat down about one o’clock for lunch and a chat. After lunch, I was given another clipboard and manifest to work a train back from Trident Park to Dale Yard. Again, we worked as Conductor and Engineer and I was becoming increasingly confident with the modular concept and the fun in working a train like the real thing.
I was most impressed with the quality of the modules, the high standard of track laying, wiring, scenery, structures and detail. It was evident how members of the group had planned their module in detail, either as an individual module or possibly to use as a stand-alone module at home, or to be used as part of a home layout.
The last train came to a halt in Dale Yard about 3.15. Dismantling commenced straight away, along with the large American layout also set up on the day. Everything was dismantled and packed away in the hall. Members’ cars were loaded with modules and we were out of the hall by about 4.15. I then had to start my journey home and I arrived home just before 9 p.m. Well, was it worth the early start and the long day? You bet it was!
Looking towards Admore and Rockwood Depot
14 ROUNDHOUSE