November 2025 Forth and Clyde Area Group meeting

Late autumn sunshine pierced the pine trees surrounding ESME's Almondell clubroom as Alisdair, Alasdair, Alastair, Jim, James, Steve, Justin, Martin, Chris, Simon, and Graham gathered for our November meeting.

Jim and Alisdair had  spent the previous weekend operating the Grampian group's "Dunallander" at the Elgin Model Show, so the talk was of the snagging list, and high on that list, coupling (or rather random dynamic uncoupling) systems.

Eventually we settled down to individual tasks. Simon was working on some Worsley Works Caledonian non-corridor bogie coaches.

 

Chris had temporarily paused his LYR 2-4-2T and continued work on a brake van.

He mentioned a useful source of small-parts containers: 5g and 10g cosmetic sample jars, from eBay. He prefers the ones with screw-tops rather than clip-on lids, which are less likely to send their contents across the room. An example is visible in the background of the photo.

Justin was working on an Association 57xx chassis - the new design without the gear tower.

 A discussion ensued with James and Alastair regarding the latter's experience in designing a 3D printed chassis for his Class 04 diesel.

Martin was working on re-Templotting the track plan for his Cathkin urban branch terminus. He'd brought along a sample of his reent building and ballasting work for inspection.

Jim was working away on signal posts and ladders for Dunallander.

 

Graham was working on a building in Fusion 360.

Alisdair managed to gather a slightly boisterous crowd to Mearns Shed to view his latest toy. 

This turned out to be a Farish Class 158 two-car unit with sound. None of us has tried 2mm DCC sound before so there was a flicker of interest. Alisdair was completely convinced. The rest of us warmed to the idea once the sound level was reduced. The 158 trundled up and down, rumbling and sounding its horn, wishing perhaps for some weathering and doubtless wondering why it was in a steam shed.

The shed itself had been removed to facilitate a long hard look at the backscene, which was felt to be too garish in certain areas. It was returned to its originator for toning down.

Next time, shamelessly copying NEAG's lead, we'll have a Christmas show-and-tell session where everyone will bring along something they modelled in the past year in order to describe how any difficulties were overcome.