The Buffers

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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, 2001

NEWSLETTER Issue No. 188

edited and condensed from the print version

News      For our June meeting,  members enyoyed a slide show presented by Roy Hopkins. The "hot off the press" pictures taken at a variety of locations on the British Railway system, depicted current trends, new equipment and the latest liveries.      Earlier in the Month, a number of members joined  the Platelayers Society at the home of Brian Fayle for their June meeting. The car boot sale held in conjuction the meeting turned out to be particlularly successful and it was also at that time that the residue of Les Torrens' models was disposed of.      In July, the Buffers were also invited to the home of Gerry Taylor of the Platelayers club. Only Andrew Hopkins did attend. This was a good visit with the Platelayers again, with theTwo Dollar lunch and the view from the Taylor's property both  worth the trip.

Picture Gallery.

Thirty years seperate these two pictures, the locations being a very short distance apart.

The Road Ahead The Buffers first meeting of the 2001-2002 season will be on September 15, 1300 - 1630 hrs at the usual Elliot st location. Grant Miles, who recently returned from a visit to Scotland and the far north of England, has a good deal of slide and other material for our viewing pleasure. It is also anticipated that Ed Spencer will have a live steaming of his 3.5" gauge model of Invicta referred to in the April 2001 newsletter. Regular metings for the balance of the year are as follows: -Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 17 and Dec 8. August 26th - St Georges Club, London. - Our club layout will be on display at the Vintage Automoblle Rally which is expected to attract 140 vehicles. The club is located on the North side of Dundas St ( Hwy 2 ) east of Crumlin Rd. and the Airport. Watch for the rugby posts ! October 6, 7 &8 - British Connection - Browse and buy between 1000 and 1500 each day. October 13 & 14  Ottawa- Railfair. November 24 & 25 - Toronto -  Christmas train show. April 27 & 28 - Brampton -  Great British Train Show.

An 0-4-0 industrial locomotive retired from Cadbury's Bourneville works is shown sitting at Toddington on the Gloucester & Warwickshire Rwy. in 1985. (Photo Geoff Chandler.)

Web Site Updates

Some updates have been completed. The home page has been simplified, with a second home page added for webring use. A new page has been added to the picture page. More pictures of members own models are needed. Bring any prints to the meeting and I can scan them for inclusion.

In the mid fifties, a British Railways  modified Hall Class bult 1949/50, number 7918 Rhose Wood Hall is running south towards Cheltenham near Toddington on a Wolverhampton to West of England service. The locomotive's original Hawkesworth tender has been replaced with a standard GWR type. (PhotoGeoff Chandler.)

Picture Gallery - Didcot

A variety of locomotoves and freight stock at the Didoct Railway Centre in the mid 1980's. ( photographs by Geoff Chandler )

1  Outside the sheds at Didcot in the Mid-eighties. Ex GWR Castle Class number 5051 Earl Bathurst, together with Consolidation 2-8-0 number 3822.

2   A Hawkesworth - designed coach atached to a GWR Royal Mail vehicle.

3   An Express Dairy six-wheeled vacuum fitted milk tank.

4   A variety of goods stock. Note the coaling facility behind. Barely visible in the background is the towers of Didcot Power station.

Newsletter Archives Members wishing to view back issues of the online newsletter can click on the link below for over 12 months of the online version, including the excellent reproduction of Geoff's fine pictures

Newsletter Archives

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