Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:15 pm
Just a reminder that this event is just a weekend away!
I think I've been in contact with all the CGT participants, but do let me know if I've missed anyone?
Saint-Oblas
Location : Lyon, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:19 am
Nothing to do with the G scale meeting, but I want to correct a common mistake:
The 14th July has been chosen as the french national day, NOT in memory of the 14th of july 1789, when Bastille was invaded by Paris people, but in memory of 14th of july 1790, which was the "Federation Day". When the date was chosen there were still many royalists and it would have been a big diplomatic mistake to celebrate the Bastille Day. The Federation day which was the reconciliation (very temporary, I agree!) of the King and the people. It was a much more diplomatic choice.
David Grantham
Location : Midlands, England
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:11 pm
I hope everyone has a marvellous weekend, it looks a cracking occasion all round. I had reserved accomodation until my son decided to get married on the July 12th.
Avez-vous une bonne
David
k&nwlr
Location : Alsace, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:14 pm
Done that.
Civil marriage on the 12th in Switzerland and church in France on the 14th July. That was a while back though as the current Ms K&NWLR has pointed out on a number of occasions ....
So sadly, no trip to the G Scale Gathering ....
Bearcastle
Location : Brie
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:22 am
Hope you will enjoy it, cannot come, had to cancel the hotel.
We 'll expect some nice pictures.
French Chuffed
Location : Droitwich UK
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:39 pm
So how did the week end go chaps?
k&nwlr
Location : Alsace, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:27 pm
We want pics!!!
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:22 am
Unfortunately and stupidly I didn't take my camera. Here are a few pics that Jean-Paul sent me by e mail.
There are a couple more pics and I know Phil and Brian took some photos too.
It's a very nice place there. And now has a toilet and shower block if people want to camp/caravan.
There are tented shelters for eating and preparation and electricity onsite but no track power facility.
I would thoroughly recommend another visit. The second Sunday each month is open to the public with ground level ride-on trains.
k&nwlr
Location : Alsace, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:35 pm
Thanks for the pics. It looks like quite a substantial piece of Engineering, all round. Shame it was my wedding anniversary ......
French Chuffed
Location : Droitwich UK
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:46 pm
yes thanks for the pics, ditto what k&nwir said I must try and make it another time.
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:34 pm
I also didn't take a camera, but this was due to space considerations in the car as we were travelling on to the UK after the event in Blois. However here are a few from the mobile phone.
A line up of locos on the 7.25" ground level track. I had great fun driving the TGV in the background which is powered by a 3 cylinder Kubota mini tractor engine. Surprisingly it's of UK construction!!!
There were some weird and wonderful live steam contraptions including the double oscillator "boot"!
I And a genuine live steam Mallet with high and low pressure cylinders just as prototype practice!
I The young man on the left celebrated his 14th birthday on July 14th in 2014 which has some significance for the French. We enjoyed a few glasses of champagne the day after this was taken on the 13th. Our host Jean Paul is to be seen on right wearing the CVDP cap.
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:49 pm
All the turnouts on the 45mm layout are powered by a clever system which is pneumatically operated. This mimic panel sits atop a small compressor and the routes are changed with a flick of a a valve and the subsequent hiss!
My line up of live steam locos taken to the event. From Left to right "Owain" kit based on Accucraft chassis, "Tram" built by Carl for Mikey which subsequently suffered a severe fire and has now been partially restored, Accucraft Edrig with custom cab by me, Regner Max from kit.
The ladies in our party spent most of the weekend exploring the beautiful city of Blois, some 15k from the event where our hotel was located.
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:55 pm
I sneakily managed to convince Caroline that St Valery at the Baie de la Somme preserved railway would be convenient for our Calais ferry crossing the next day. Managed to fit in a ride behind a Pinguelly and a Cail in the process!
French Chuffed
Location : Droitwich UK
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:30 pm
Thanks for the Pictures Brian, it gives a good flavour to your weekend.
k&nwlr
Location : Alsace, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:41 pm
Nice pics. Shame I couldn´t make it, but I´ll have to remember that point about it being logistically convenient for the UK. Now all I need to do is to convince the current Ms K&NWLR that the UK is more than just convenient to visit.
French Chuffed
Location : Droitwich UK
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:44 pm
k&nwlr wrote:
Nice pics. Shame I couldn´t make it, but I´ll have to remember that point about it being logistically convenient for the UK. Now all I need to do is to convince the current Ms K&NWLR that the UK is more than just convenient to visit.
Yes I don't think even I could pull that one off.......
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Jul 29, 2014 7:45 pm
A better view of the Mallet
k&nwlr
Location : Alsace, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:24 am
Quite a size, that Mallet. And quite a lot of pulling power, as well, I could imagine.
philkelly
Location : Vienne, France and Islington. London
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:47 pm
Well it does seem a long time ago, but it was a memorable occasion at a unique venue 45mm, 5" and 7 1/4" circuits. Sod's law dictates that my memory card ran out, but as well as these pics, there is some video to run through and I will get tound to that too. Anyway, here are Brian and Van waiting to launch a steamer on to the circuit:
[img][/img][url][/url][url][/url][url]] Carl's diesel and showing the extent of the 45mm circuit: [img][/img][url][/url][url][/url][url]] The points on the 45mm circuit are pneumatically controlled from this box
[img][/img][url][/url][url][/url][url]] Dual guage 5" and 7 1/4" track means complicated pointwork:
[img][/img][url][/url][url][/url][url]] This 7 1/4" Mallet just one of the many locos running (more on the videos to come):
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:55 pm
philkelly
Location : Vienne, France and Islington. London
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:56 pm
Hooray!
k&nwlr
Location : Alsace, France
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:25 pm
Thanks for the perseverance!
French Chuffed
Location : Droitwich UK
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:32 pm
Great stuff looks like you all had an interesting weekend.
philkelly
Location : Vienne, France and Islington. London
Subject: Re: International G Scale Gathering in France July 2014 Wed Sep 17, 2014 2:43 pm
I'm afraid that my videos proved rather disappointing - probably because I was "recording" on a full memory card. I'm not even sure that there's sound on the videos, but they do give an idea of how generously laid out the facility is. One of the attractions is the mini (7 1/4") gauge TGV, which Brian got to drive: