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January 1st 2018 Open Day

Old Pictures

Bassett-Lowke Meeting 2014

Tappers - SEGOG Exhibition 2014,                                                photos Steve Webb

Tappers' 'Christmas' Open Day - 3rd January 2015

Another wet and windy early morning brought out the best in the hardy Tappers' exhibitors, traders and helpers as they dashed to open this annual get together at the Bromley Common Methodist Church. Over 50 'O' Gaugers signed in and many other visitors including a few very welcome young families braved the tempest to enjoy the event. On display was a large Bassett-Lowke vintage layout, two Tappers' test tracks and one Hornby loose lay tinplate post war layout, all supported by 5 traders.

The Bassett-Lowke vintage loose lay three rail wooden sleeper layout devised and manned by Adrian Capon and Paul Dobson, assisted by Terry Heaslip was based on two distinct central areas surrounded by three running main lines. Two  B/L engine sheds fronted by a large turntable around which a variety of locos simmered on the radiating storage lines awaiting their turn for duty, together with a long carriage siding and large goods/ tanker storage area complete with appropriate buildings. The early theme here was Southern passenger and goods operations, which saw a rake of 6 Southern Mills coaches pulled by a Hornby L1, then a Bassett-Lowke Southern Mogul, Ace 'Schools' and Hornby, black no 2 special tank, followed by a variety of other locos including a new ACE Britannia 'Firth of Forth'. Most of these later switched to pulling freight including 6 Hornby no.50 'Manchester oil' tankers and some B/L goods, a breakdown train including a blue and green SR Crane truck or a rake of 10 Hornby no. 50 yellow Shell Lubricating Oil tankers.

The two test tracks manned by Graham lock, Don Broadbery, Richard Tiley and assisted by David Embling saw many larger Ace, Hornby, John Radcliffe and Bassett-Lowke locos test running on tinplate, steel and brass rail tracks, throughout the busy day.  Particularly, seeing the locos pulling a long rake of Exley Southern coaches with some blood and custards amongst them.

The post war tinplate layout was manned by John Davies and Michael Smith, mainly running a variety of   late post war Hornby stock with No. 40,  50 and 51 locos fitted with electric motors, though some pre-war Lionel trains could be seen happily running here during the day.

The traders stands all looked well stocked and judging by the throng round them were busy and profitable. It was also good to see members helping each other with minor repairs to much loved locos and rolling stock that had been brought in, so that they could then be successfully run and to be thanked by families for our help and how much they and the children had learned about the 'Trains'. Future members we hope.

A good time was had by all, greatly fortified by Nicola and Gerry keeping up with the heavy demand for bacon rolls, tea, cakes and the odd and very welcome roast potatoes!

Our next exhibition will be the 'Leeds Model Company', on Sat.18th July in the main hall.

This will be supported in conjunction David Peacock of the Leeds Steadman Trust.

Paul Dobson HRCA 5875 and Graham Lock HRCA 8456  

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