At last - the videos of our summer!

I have finally managed to deal with all the summer’s video: I’m posting it one place because it’s just easier; not speeded up by the fact that my JVC Everio camera records files in a unique format, .MOD, which means putting them through both Adobe Elements and Windows Media Editor and preserving the 16:9 ratio twice. So let’s hope it works. Also slightly delayed by looking at everything I have about the Ile de Re (see other postings!) For those who were not there, I hope this gives some of the flavour of what the West Coast Chapter and friends got up to and gives an insight into three railways. I’m not Spielberg (my son would like to be) so these are unedited clips.

I posted a couple from Geoff’s before I went on holiday, but to continue: This is Brian’s Lawley at Geoff’s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tBKhHxNXKs

I didn’t manage at first to combine clips so there are two of Carl’s Regner at Geoff’s, the first very short:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tQEYeogc0w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgZ-aJ85kWQ

- Featuring Pierre and the unique narrow gauge aircraft carrier (!)

Geoff’s Big Boy pulled an unfeasibly large number of coal hoppers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PoqSbFa9g0

Geoff streamed up his work train – not sure about the loco (which is to say I’m sure I like it, but I’m not sure what it is) not being into US myself, but the train is a great idea wonderfully executed:

(This is the one video that didn’t upload to You Tube – back to the drawing board and I’ll try tomorrow)

And to show just how impressive US outline is, here’s Geoff’s Santa Fe streamliner:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC4pws14cwI

Moving on to Brian’s, we saw that one Stainz could do as well as a Big Boy, and my draisine whizzed around the other loop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPvF84ccGo4

Brian’s Mallet pulled an impressive passenger train (what country did those coaches come from? – but this isn’t the other channel) and the Stainz took on Laurent’s track repair train:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kGQsht3sfw

Finally, at my place, Van got his Lyn going:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtxfnTNXSl0

But discovered that reverse curves on slopes don’t mix with live steam even when it’s as lovely as Lyn – at least it helped his thoughts on layout planning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqM_XdaiqlA

And very finally, after they’d all gone I finished building my log carrier from two LGB flat wagons and showed that it had no fear of my very poor track-laying skills; also a last look at the current railway before intensive civil engineering begins (next year’s visitors will find eased curves and shallower inclines – I hope!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS18Tv373Gc

That was the summer that was – we all had a terrific time, great to meet people and not just avatars and the weather in western France was splendid. But that’s why we love it.

Thanks to everyone who looked after me (and Dorothy) A la prochaine!

Phil

The video of Geoff's work train has finally uploaded: enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyHeM2aM9Sg

Great vieo's Phil, a very nice set of memories from some great social events!

A big thank you to all who hosted and attended the various gatherings!

Caro and I looking forward to next summer!