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The 7mm Narrow Gauge Association
The 7mm Narrow Gauge Association aims to encourage the modelling of narrow gauge railways at a scale of or around 7mm to 1 foot (1:43)
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NARROW NEWS Issue 116 October 2008
David Charlesworth has kindly agreed to take on Narrow News Editor from Philip Moss, so please send all news items to David from now. His contact link may be found on the Committee page.
FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK HELP WANTED We are desperately short of volunteers to fill Committee positions and we are becoming very stretched, old age and ill health taking their toll. If there are any Members out there who feel that they could contribute by volunteering to help will they please contact either the Chairman or the Secretary. PUBLICATION SALES John Hickling has stepped down as Publication Sales Officer due to pressure of work and the Committee thank him for his efforts. The position has been filled by Peter Farrell, a volunteer on the West Lancs. Light Railway. Peter has a full stock of current publications and his address details can be found on the Publications Sales Page, and on the tombstone in the current issue of Narrow Lines. SITUATIONS VACANT Second Hand Sales Officer: John Holland the Second Hand Sales Officer has resigned with effect from the end of December 2008 and John is to be thanked for his considerable efforts over the past three years. There is, therefore, an urgent requirement to replace John as the position is quite fundamental providing as it does a vital service to members and contributing to the continuing financial success of the Association. CANALSIDE Colin Burrell has e-mailed us to tell us that lack of space now forces him to offer for sale his layout "Canalside " which was described in detail in NL 97. The layout measures 12ft x 15 inches in 3 sections, with fiddle yards at both ends. The layout is constructed with fine scale, hand built track using bronze rail and copper clad sleepers, with wire in tube with DPDT switches to operate points. The layout comprises a passing loop with goods, warehouse and engine shed sidings, and includes a H&M walkabout controller. £275 o. n. o. Contact Colin on 01494 814656 or Colwen75@talktalk.net SITTINGBOURNE & KEMSLEY LIGHT RAILWAY Members will have seen reports in the railway press to the effect that the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway has been given notice by the site owners to vacate the site by the end of the year and to remove all the locos, rolling stock and equipment. Vigorous local efforts are being made to find some way of saving the line and its equipment and to alert the powers that be to the effects of the loss of this historic 105 year old railway to the local tourist trade. Supporters of the line have now had their hopes boosted by a decision by their local authority, Swale District Council to help secure the line s future. The Council has adopted a proposal to work with the SKLR trustees and the site owners, M-Real, who are closing the paper mills and selling the site, to safeguard the railway either at its present site or elsewhere. We look forward to hearing further news on the efforts to save one of our premier preserved narrow gauge railways. PUBLICATION NEWS Peter Page reports that the 0n30 Handbook is almost ready. The target is to get it published in time for EXPO N.G., but final publication date and price will be confirmed as soon as they are known. The Small Layouts Handbook and the completely revised 4th edition of Getting Started are in progress, although there is still room for more contributions to the Small Layouts book. Both are targeted for publication in February (to coincide with Shepton Mallet) but this depends largely on contributors who have not already done so getting material in by the middle of December. RAILWAY ENTHUSIASTS CLUB Having been priced out of their previous venue at Woking, the R.E.C. have found a new venue for this year's exhibition which will be held at the Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre on 29th and 30th November. The Sports Centre is in Rawlinson Road, North Camp and the show will be open from 10.30 to 5.30 on the Saturday and from 10.00 to 5.00 on the Sunday. There will be over 50 traders and layouts in attendance and the layouts will include two 7mm narrow gauge layouts from the Surrey Group, and a display of Association publications and other information. MEMBERSHIP NEWSRemember that all payments for subscriptions by cheque and credit/debit cards and standing order applications must be sent to: Nigel Auckland Glen Field, The Avenue Bishop’s Waltham Southampton SO32 1BP Tel No 01489890620 Mobile 07880 880006
If you need to contact Nigel try E-mail first if you can: members@7mmnga.org.uk. When members send in a new Standing Order form they MUST include the Post Code of their bank as Nigel cannot guarantee that it will reach their bank and be put into effect. With many banks operating from remote service centres Nigel finds it very difficult to locate their Post Code if it has not been completed. Nigel has had quite a few magazines returned marked either "Not known" or "Gone away". If you have not received your February magazine, or you know a member who hasn't, please let Nigel have the details. There is an on-going problem with members not informing Nigel of their address changes and we would not like to loose members because of this, or for members to loose out on their magazine. CREDIT/DEBIT CARD RENEWALS Can anyone renewing their subscription with an old form please add somewhere the three digit security code (found on the back on the address strip) as it is impossible to process payments without this. Newer forms have a space for this and it is now essential for this to be added. Any credit card transactions with the Association, will be rejected if this number is not provided. Modelling Goods Can we remind members not to send Credit Card orders by email. If there is no alternative then please do not put all of your details on the same email. It is necessary to send half the card number in one email and the other half and the security number in another. A better alternative is to add your home phone number and Bob will ring you for the card details. He has a ‘free evening calls’ package and it would also be more secure. The Sales Officer is:
Bob Deakin 40 Brussels Road Edgeley, Stockport Cheshire, SK3 9QG 0161 480 9064 goods@7mmnga.org.uk P&P changes are: Minimum Order Value for post-free in the UK = £40 P&P charge for UK order under £40 = £2.00 P&P charge for UK order, under £40 and bulky = £3.00 This latter charge will be levied on items such as tubes of track and rail. We cannot be specific, since each package will be charged to us in accordance with the new Royal Mail charging rates. 2ND HAND SALES If you have items for sale, please hold until a new 2nd Hand Sales Officer can be found. INFORMATION SOURCES Members regularly ask for more details about both prototype lines and modelling techniques. Go to the publications section, where there is a link to Amazon Books. If you purchase any books by following this link, the Association will receive a small commission from Amazon. Purchases from Amazon
We cannot make the books cheaper but their stock is usually competitively priced. If you follow our link to Amazon and then purchase any other goods that they offer, then the Association will also benefit from a commission payment. This is not available if you go direct to Amazon - it must be through the link from 7mmnga.org.uk You cannot lose but we could gain!
The Power of the InternetThere are about 350 users registered with the 7mm NG discussion grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/7mmnga/ Two recent examples highlight how helpful this facility can be. A new member joined and asked if there were any other members in USA - within a day he had been contacted by 6 people, all with an interest in 7mm Narrow Gauge modelling. Another of our North American members enquired about UK coal merchants, which resulted in numerous reminiscences from our older members(!!), who explained all about coal yards at stations and the methods of delivery to the customer, as well as a comprehensive list of suitable model wagons and figures. That kind of detail could not be found so quickly anywhere else and shows the benefit of joining the group.LAYOUT INSURANCE Taylor McGill are moving. From 30th November 2007, the new address is: Chapel Court, Chapel Lane, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7DR, Tel: 0115 926 9073 The Association insurance is arranged by Taylor McGill Insurance Consultants Ltd, who took over the model railway insurance business, following the death of John Dennison about 4 years ago. They have sent us a brochure about their services, which were previously for Clubrooms and Exhibitions, but they now also offer individual Layout Insurance with cover at home, in a garage or locked outbuilding, as well as 'All Risks' in the UK including 'in transit' (that means being moved and not just in a Ford van!!) Annual premiums start at £52.50. For further information please contact: Taylor McGill Insurance Consultants Ltd, Chapel Court, Clapel Lane, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7DR, Telephone 0115 926 9073, e-mail info@modelrailwayinsurance.co.uk or visit the web site at www.modelrailwayinsurance.co.uk <http://www.modelrailwayinsurance.co.uk/> Please mention that you are a member of the Association when contacting them. |
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