EMGS Society News
E.M.G.S. NE & Borders Group – Diary 2026
Meeting Times and Dates
| Meeting Date | Meeting time | Location | Purpose |
| 25 Jan 2026 | 13:30 to 16:30 | Stannington | General |
| 22 Feb 2026 | 13:30 to 16:30 | Stannington | General |
| 15 Mar 2026 | 13:30 to 16:30 | Stannington | General |
| 19 Apr 2026 | 13:30 to 16:30 | Elsdon | General |
| 31 May 2026 | 10:00 to 16:00 | Elsdon | Modelling day |
| 21 Jun 2026 | 10:00 to 16:00 | Chesters | Modelling day |
| 19 Jul 2026 | 10:00 to 16:00 | Stannington | Modelling day |
| 30 Aug 2026 | 10:00 to 16:00 | Chesters | Modelling day |
| 27 Sep 2026 | 10:00 to 16:00 | Elsdon | Modelling day |
| 24 Oct 2026 | 8:00 to 17:30 | Stannington | ‘Workshopwise – 2026’ |
| 29 Nov 2026 | 13:30 to 16:30 | Stannington | Chris King trophy presentation |
| 13 Dec 2026 | 13:30 to 16:30 | Stannington | Xmas special |
Contact
| Position | Name | Telephone | |
| Organiser | Allen Oakes | Allen@Oakesa.co.uk | 07973895644 |
Charges
| Meetings | All meetings – £5 per person |
| Stannington | Village Hall, Main Street, Stannington, Morpeth Northumberland, NE61 6EL |
| Elsdon | Elsdon Village Hall, Northumberland, NE19 1AA, |
| Chesters | Southdean Hall, Hawick, Roxburghshire, TD9 8TH |
Please note – General meetings may include any of the following activities:-
- Group discussion – any relevant item of interest or importance
- Modelling – especially if you are looking for advice or help
- ‘Show and tell’
Short talks (topics and speakers will usually be announced in advance
Short Notice of EM Gauge Auction On Behalf of ex Member
A collection of EM gauge items are being auctioned on behalf of Tonbridge MRC.
Two Day Sale of Model, Vintage & Retro Toys – Online On 16/17 Apr 26
https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/b2701f12222b94a8f37a7950020e7b25/0af8d24542e81eb9357e7ef448a6646f/two-day-sale-of-model-vintage-retro-toys-online-only-/
expoEM Spring 2026 Latest updates
expoEM Spring 2026
Saturday 9th May 10.30 to 17.30
Sunday 10th May 10.00 to 16.30
Garth Hill College
Bull lane, Bracknell. RG42 2AD
Admission – Members £10 (incl Partners and Children), Visitors £12
Accompanied children (under 16) FREE. Tickets are valid on both days.
Layouts
Butley Mills EM BR(E) 1950s – Andy Vincent
Bulldog Quay EM SECR – Andrew Browne
Chewton Mendip EM SDJR 1920 – Tim Tincknell
Chitterne EM GWR – Sarum Finescale (Richard Simpson)
Lambourne P4 GWR 1930s – Pete & Jeff Day
Longcarse West P4 BR 1983 – Simon Bendall
Maidstone Rd EM KESR – Bracknell Railway Society (Phil Tattershall)
Ryburn P4 LYR 1907-20 – Ray Hodson
Three Cocks Junction EM Cambrian 1904 – Richard Evans
Weslo Steels EM BR 60s micro – Dave Tailby
Guest layout
Castle Caereinion OO9 Welshpool & Llanfair – Martyn Harrison.
Demonstrations
There will a be number of demonstrators working at the show demonstrating various skills including bullhead track construction, painting & lining, split chassis loco construction, kit & scratchbuilding coaches and rolling stock, converting R-T-R locomotives,architectural modelling and more. The demonstrators will be only too happy to answer questions and discuss problems.
Paul Ash scenery
Tony Gee ?
Vernon Harrod – Rolling stock
Geoff Haynes – Painting & Lining
Peter Hill – Locos
Geoff Kent – Plasticard
Mick Moore – Wagons
Paul Segar – DCC chip
Tony Sullivan – Track
Tim Venton – Loco Clinic
Andy Vincent – 3D printinting
David Brandreth – Soldering
John James – Split Chassis
Peter Sutherland – Trees
Societies
DEMU
LSWR Circle
Midland Railway Society
Pendon
MERG
Other
Missendon
AGM-Test Track
Just a reminder from John Simpson – the test track offering both DC and DCC functionality will be in attendance at the event. All creations including the partially built in both EM and 18.83mm welcome, and if you pick up a bargain at Members Sales we will even have a 00 test facility available.
Members’ Sales
A sales list form will be included with the April mailing. Further copies can be downloaded from the web site as a PDF. Please make sure all the items are labelled with your membership number, price, the page (if more than one), line number and a contact telephone number on your form. A supply of blank labels will be available on the stand.
Commission will be taken on all sales.
Sorry but no books or videos.
No items will be held over on Saturday evening. Trading times will start later than the opening of the show and
finish earlier than the closing time. All transactions strictly CASH only
.
Due to space constraints no more than 3 sheets per member (60 items) will be accepted for sale.
EMGS Trade Stand
As usual the EMGS Trade Officer will be there with the stand. However he will not be able to bring all the items
stocked because of transport logistics. He will be happy to bring along any pre-ordered items for payment on the
day, BUT these must be ordered with a deadline to reach him by 7 days prior to the show. He will be able to take
cash, cheques and cards as payment at the show.
How to get there
By Car:
M3 Junction 3 take the A322 – Bracknell direction.
From M4 Junction 10 take A329M signed Bracknell.
Post Code RG42 2AD
There is free car parking on site and over the road is a council car park.
By Train:
The Sports & Leisure Centre is a short walk from Bracknell station (770 m).
Direct services are provided by South Western Railways to/from London, Waterloo and
Reading every 30 minutes during the weekend. Connections at Reading for Cross Country
and Great Western Railways services.
It would be wise to check for engineering works especially for Sunday travel.
By Bus:
Local Buses.
All routes operate from Bracknell Bus Station (adjacent to the railway
station). Google Bracknell Bus Routes for latest details.
Flightline Bus. Route 702 operates a direct service between London Victoria and
Bracknell Bus station. Check with Reading Buses for times.
Hotel Accommodation:
There are a number of Premier Inns and Travelodges in and around Bracknell centre with very similarrates and facilities. They are at a similar distance from the College, about 25 minutes walking.
Their web sites may be accessed via:
www.premierinn.com/bracknell
and look for Twin Bridges or
https://travelodgeco.uk/hotels/363/Bracknell-Central-hotel
.
We would suggest early booking as they will fill up quickly and, as they do, the prices may rise (they usually do).
Catering:
Limited catering will be available at the rear of the college. Sandwiches can be obtained from Waitrose and M&S Food. There are many eateries in the town centre plus a couple of pubs which supply food. There is a Wetherspoons , recently refitted which is about 10 minutes walk.
Newsletter 247
Just to advise that Newsletter 247 was mailed today 2nd January.
Update 3rd January – I have just sent out the link to the overseas members who are on electronic subscription.
EMGS Accounts for 2024 – 2025
The accounts for the Society are now available to view on the website under Board Reports
Replacement Manual Sheet
Manual Sheet 4.1.2.2.(1) Regauging Bachmann Birdcage coaches using KEMBU Issue 1 has been retitled and upgraded to 4.1.2.2.(1) Regauging Bachmann Coaches using KEMBU Issue 2 to take into account some changes in fitting KEMBU based on further practical experience, and its applicability to the new Bachmann LNWR coach range. It will be issued in print format as soon as an available slot can be found.
UPDATE – Replacement manual sheet will be issued with Newsletter 247 January issue.
Gallery update – 2025 – A year in the life of the Test Track
The Test Track photos for Wakefield 2025 (the final set) are now available along with those of the AGM and Bracknell ”
Newsletter 246
The mailing was slightly earlier this quarter and many of you have probably received it already. The cut-off date for the January 2026 Newsletter 247 will be 13th December. Please supply articles in sufficient time that I can check with you any issues that may arise. Thank you.
Test Track Photos
Only a selection of test track Ashover photos could be displayed in Newsletter 244. A more comprehensive set of photos of locos on the Test Track at the AGM Ashover have been loaded into a gallery album on the website and will also be displayed beside the Test Track at Bracknell in May.
Date error in April Newsletter 244
Due to an editorial error the date for expoEM Summer 2025 was show incorrectly.
The date of the event I can confirm is 30th & 31st August at the same location.
