The Buffers

Founded by  Les Torrens    (1923 - 2000)

Established in 1982, the Buffers is a group of  transport enthusiasts living in Southern Ontario, which meets for their enjoyment of British railway and other transport modelling.

September, 2000

NEWSLETTER

edited and condensed from the print version

                     News

Our print version newsletter editor, Geoff Chandler will be in the U.K.  on vacation for three weeks in the middle of August. Geoff was one of three of our members who had tickets to the Raill 2000. This event scheduled to be held on the weekend of August 26-28 has been cancelled.
A full report if the cancellation was published on the locowatch website.
          
            June Meeting

Thanks to David Thoms, who, at our June Meeting gave an interesting slide and video presentation  depicting railway activity on the old Glasgow and Southwesten route in the late 1950's.  With his slide show, David also brought us up to date with current practice and liveries in the Glasgow area.
Thanks also to Roy Hopkins for updating us on current liveries on the railways in Britain with his slide presentaion.  
     
            The Road Ahead

The first Buffers meeting of the new season will be on September 16th, at the usual Elliot Street location. It is anticipated that the meetings for the balance of the year will all be there. The meeting will consist of video material and up to date reports from the three members who will be visiting the UK.
Please bring along any models of your choice for display and discussion.

          Buffers in the News

A picture published in the August edition of Railway Magazine, depicts CN 5515 and 2583 with a train of Eleven Cl 66's ( 66 229 - 66 239) leaving London ( GM Diesel Division ) en route to Halifax. The photo taken on May 2, by Roy Hopkins, does not give the exact location of the shot, but it was taken on the Stratford line at Airport Road in London.

Andrew Hopkins reports that a picture of the Buffers Module was published in the August issue of British Railway Modelling magazine. There has been  good coverage of the GBTS by Mr David Brown, BRM editor, who attended the show.

                    Model News

Lima's Distribution system is back up and runnning in the UK and new models are appearing. However reports indicate that there is to be some consolidation in the Lima group following recent difficulties. Indications are that the future of some of the four factories is in question - Lima, Rivarossi, Arnold and  Jouef. There is also sugestion that more production will be moved to eastern countries.

Bachmann have taken over Graham Farish. This announcement was made at an open day for the trade held recently at the companie's Barwell site. The long term plan is to introduce a high quality product  and in the immediate future to make improvements in the motors and new livery variations.

The August issue of Model Rail carries speculation that Marklin are the likely buyers of Hornby. The article indicates that Hornby have refused comment, and that company Chairman, Peter Newey would only confirm interest has been shown by other manufactures.




The Buffers enjoyed and extra meeting in June as we were invited to the Home of Brian Fayle of the Platelayers, near Guelph. Thanks to the Platelayers for their hospitality.