Subject: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:06 pm
Advance notice of an event hosted by the president of TDS (Traverses Des Secondaires) at Saint Aubin du Thenney, a small village between Bernay and Orbec and about 15 minutes from me.
More details as they become available but I will be there with my double track portable layout and some 32mm track as well this time.
I will take along at least 2 diesels all being well plus live steam.
I would be nice if others could join and I will assist with accomodation and food. I can happily host 2 couples (in separate rooms...) here for free, first come first served. But there are cheap gites and alike very close. Plenty of space too for caravans (or camping for the brave) with electricity and water.
I will probably run trains here on Friday and Monday too and make a long weekend of it.
I am about 1h15 from either Caen and Le Havre and about 2h30 from Calais/Tunnel.
Last edited by Carl Hibbs on Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:02 am; edited 1 time in total
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:29 pm
Carl Hibbs wrote:
I am about 1h15 from either Caen and Le Havre and about 2h30 from Calais/Tunnel.
But how far are you from Paris? What are the travel options after arriving in Paris by TGV
Cheers
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:56 pm
We are/It is 1 hour 15 minutes by good direct train Paris St Lazare to Bernay (main line to Caen). We live (and the event is too) about 10 - 15 mins from Bernay station,
The easiest, if your coming from Angouleme is TGV to Montparnasse then gare St Lazare, journey time about 5 hours.
There is another cross country way, and get off at Tours or St Pierre de Corps and catch a train to Mezidon which is on the Paris -Caen line and take a train back to Bernay. The time is about 20 mins longer.
They do a Loisir Reduit le Weekend which is the cheapest ticket I can see but not for October yet.
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:27 am
Thanks Carl,
My attendance very much depends on Caroline's UK contract finishing before October and we're not sure at the moment. So will keep you posted by PM if I can make it.
Cheers
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:45 am
It would be great to see you Brian.
I haven't yet ruled out a trip 'down south' but again it's trying to find the right time around work and domestics.
GWhizz
Location : Charente, France
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:56 am
Carl Hibbs wrote:
I haven't yet ruled out a trip 'down south' but again it's trying to find the right time around work and domestics.
Well I'm pretty much stuck here for the summer
So you'd be welcome anytime that fits in with your schedule and accomodation is no problem.
If you can make it? Give me a few days notice and we'll see if we can rustle up a few of the other locals!
BTW pick up from Angouleme TGV no problem 30 minutes away!
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:32 am
Thanks Brian.
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:46 pm
Spoke to the organisers (TDS) of this event last night and a confirmation that this will go ahead as planned.
There will be at least 2 large G scale layouts including mine and featuring very much live steam. At the moment we can count upon about a dozen locos.
For visitors (members of this forum) we can offer free accomodation either at my house (2 rooms available) or at a huge comfortable gite in St Aubin along with other mostly French guests.
Paid for meals will be at either the relais routier on the main N13 near me or in a restaurant in St Aubin plus catering at the venue. You will not go hungry!
This is available for a small number of guests from this forum and offered from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. I can accomodate Sunday night if required.
I know two people have expressed an interest and possibility in coming (Troy and Bill) and I would be happy to welcome a couple or few more.
The emphasis is on live steam (...plus a bit of diesel of course) rather than electric stuff. So especially welcome would be anyone with a steam locomotive to run.
If anyone would like more information then please ask.
It's only a small village event but it attracted a lot of interest and activity last year.
KleineDicke
Location : Deep in the Heart of Texas (Houston)
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Thu Sep 29, 2011 4:59 pm
So I googled "Rail Saint Aubin" out of curiosity to see if there was anything on line about the event.
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:43 am
Okay. I spoke to JC this morning and the resto will be the one on the road to Broglie.
The meal on Saturday night plus breakfast and dinner Sunday is 'taken care of' for Troy and Bill as they booked up in advance.
If anyone else would like to come, there is no more room at the inn Saturday night but you will be very welcome and I will make sure you are fed and watered either Saturday or Sunday or both.
For Troy and Bill I will pm you about Saturday night.
I am also taking along an 00 gauge layout/diaroma that I built about 25 years ago when I had good eyes.
Bearcastle
Location : Brie
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:33 pm
Any pictures ?
Sparkeswood
Location : Kent,England
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:31 pm
A great weekend.I don't think I've ever been so well looked after.Many thanks Carl and I was very pleased to meet Bill.(definately one of us with his sense of observation and humour.)
I've posted this video for you Carl.Edit and place it where you want.
However, I may be away for a little while due to some sudden family commitments.
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:33 pm
It was an excellent weekend.
A small show but big on atmosphere and friendship. From a village bash to international event.
Photos and some film clips to follow. I'm a bit busy with work for the next couple days.
Troy and Bill were brilliant company and a good help plus my daughter too spent the best part of 2 days running trains....
Jean-Claude called me this evening to thank both of you (Bill and Troy) for coming and if you feel like making the journey to RailExpo he will provide you with hotel, food and entrance for the weekend. You made an impression.
One of the greats was the successful running of 2 live diesels together, mine and Troy's, much to the bemusement of the the few score visitors.
Again pics to follow in a day or too.
KleineDicke
Location : Deep in the Heart of Texas (Houston)
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:16 am
I too enjoyed myself - beyond my expectations. Jean-Claude and his crew know how to run a train show. I do wish I could return for Expo. I'll post some of my photos when I get back to Texas.
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:17 pm
A few random pics that my daughter mostly took:
I took along an OO model diaroma that I built 25 years ago at my daughter's request.
tram47
Location : Aquitaine (France)
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:28 pm
clive_t
Location : Portsmouth, England
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:04 pm
Great pics and vid, Carl and Troy
I thought for one minute the diesel was being controlled by Captain Haddock!
Re picture 5, in the middle of the group at the back, is that the guy I did the miniature of?
I love the diorama too, very reminiscent of Bristol Docks!
Well done on making such a good impression
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:21 pm
Yes and Yes Clive. Pic 5 = Bill and J-C G plus you know who of course.
A clip of Troy's diesel during a manic 3 minutes.
Carl Hibbs Admin
Location : Haute Normandie - visitors welcome
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:03 pm
Here's another clip taken by my (10 year old) daughter.
Paulus
Location : The Netherlands
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:39 pm
Great clips and pictures. That looks like a fun event to be indeed!
philkelly
Location : Vienne, France and Islington. London
Subject: Re: 15/16 October TDS in Normandy Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:52 am
Loved this! Just like being there! Sorry to have missed this and that civic duties will keep me away from Villebon this year. Couldn't help noticing in clip 1 that number of onlookers at G Gauge layout in background = 0, onlookers for live diesel = everybody