'Rails to the Sands' - the Sequel

Today saw my first trip to the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway for several months, in fact the last time I was there I was the first person to remove and exhibit from the old 'Rails to the Sands' exhibition in the craft units when 'Shifting Sands' returned home. I was intrigued to see what the re-use of much of the display material in Griffin Hall at Lakeside station would look like.  I had many personal connections to the original exhibition having painted sections of the structures and other smaller tasks....

'Mighty Atom', Bassett-Lowke no. 11 of 1908 is a display centrepiece.  This loco ran at Southport and Great Yarmouth so has genuine seaside links, alongside it's place in the Sutton Coldfield collection.

The ticket office transported from over the road, I'm told a TV is due to go in the opening very soon. The lifering that was cosmetically back-dated using 'mod-roc' on our old kitchen table looks a little tired, I do have the paint somewhere if anyone wants to touch in the chips....

'Blacolvesley' (L), Bassett-Lowke, 1909, veteran of Saltburn and Seaburn as well as Blakesley Hall, and currently out of traffic 'Sutton Belle' (R). 

SMR no.4, the canopy over the doorway has recycled from the old display in the craft units with some adjustment. 

The Triang-Minic locomotive.  When the original display was set up my modelling skills were put to use cleaning up and spray painting the reproduction arrows it carries.

Whilst there is no doubt more to do to enhance the exhibition, the inclusion of the 'Rails to the Sands' material has enhanced the offer in Griffin Hall no end.  In fact, the only thing missing appear to be my sandcastles...

Of course the longest-term resident in Griffin Hall is the SMR 'Loco Coal' wagon, inspiration for one of my recent models.  I now have a good, clear picture of it (I should have moved the bin...):

My model is definately an 'inspired by' one, having now seen several details in close-up a lot has become clearer, for example the how the end door hinges actually form the door retaining system:

Outside 'Mountaineer' and the GCR 'ROD' O4 were in operation, however I was keen to see the latest arrival at the CCLR, the rather interesting remains of the Les Anderson (of Minirail fame) RapidoRail articulated railcar set, a long-term restoration job no doubt!

RapidoRail railcar ex-Flamingoland, Dudley Zoo, Rhyl and long-term storage.

Minimum and Miniature at the NRM

Another day out?!  Well, this was a trip with a purpose, as my visit to the National Railway Museum in York was for a meeting of the Miniature Railway Museum Trust.  Formalities didn't take that long so there was plenty of time to look around and see the recently altered displays, plus the added attraction of it being the 'LMS Weekend' with many visiting standard gauge locomotives in steam.

Taking pride of place in the recently extended (and in my opinion much improved) entrance hall is 18" gauge Horwich works locomotive 'Wren'.

Sadly 'Wren' goes un-noticed by many, but it is good to see minimum gauge equipment in such a prominent position. There is plenty of space in that foyer, perhaps Bassett-Lowke no. 10 'Little Giant', tucked in her usual (badly lit) corner of the Great Hall might fit?

Outside, in the South yard, there have been improvements on the 7 1/4" gauge line, where run-around loops have been added at either end (and an extension at the far end) and a new Mardyke Deltic delivered, named after the NRM's own 55002 'Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry'.

O9 at 'Rails to the Sands', Cleethorpes

In July 2010 the Miniature Railway Museum Trust launched the exhibition 'Rails through the Sands' in conjunction with the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, in a modern exhibition space alongside the railway's Lakeside Station.

The exterior of the 'Rails to the Sands' exhibition - Colin Peake

Inside is a diverse range of miniature railway equipment and a hoard of photos and ephemera.  Of great interest to students of 15" gauge railways is 'Blacolvesley', Bassett-Lowke's steam outline 4-4-4 from 1909.  I would like to think that one day someone will get hold of a Dapol M7 chassis and manage to create this in O9....

'Blacolvesley' (L) is dwarfed by 10 1/4" gauge 'Edmund Hannay (R) - Colin Peake

Of even greater interest to O9 modellers is my own 'Shifting Sands' on display in the station room.  When I offered the layout as a potential exhibit, exhibition curator Tim Dunn jumped at the chance, although it perhaps takes his "anyone can build a miniature railway" theme to an interesting conclusion!

Shifting Sands on display at 'Rails to the Sands' - Colin Peake

The exhibition is open on all CCLR running days and on selected non-running days.  The exhibition is located in the Meridian Point Craft Centre and accessed through the Meridian Line Models shop, which is well stocked with Hornby, Bachmann and Graham Farish ready to run model railways and scenic items.

Of course the downside with the layout being in Cleethorpes is that I don't get to play trains!