Or, in more politically correct terms for the current era:
The Men and Women of SANGS 1983 - 2003
(editor)This is a review of the contributions made by club members, their families and others to SANGS’s first twenty years.
Pre History
In 1981, Trevor (the Lionel King) Searle and Brian (the Manager) Morgan arranged a Model Railway Exhibition (MRE) at Alden Manor Glenelg. A few ‘N’ gauge modellers that went to that exhibition decided, (out the front, after viewing the layouts) that if a future exhibition were to be arranged, they should make a ‘N’ gauge layout and enter it.
In 1983 when we heard that another exhibition was to be held on the October long week end at the Regency Park Centre we convinced nine local ‘N’ gauge modellers to build a layout for that exhibition. A sectional layout was constructed at Ian Bannon’s place; the two tracks were laid around the layout and cut between each section and each modeller took a section home to complete the scenery, with instructions not to touch the tracks.
Two 9’ marshalling yards were constructed in the rear by Ian. Steve Weedon entered us as “The ‘N’ Gauge Group” and we were surprised but very pleased to win 1st Prize.
Four things were helpful in our win: Firstly Steve’s hand laid code 40 narrow gauge track on his module together with dual gauge points & track, secondly, Mick Carters’ TGV, (which drew a large crowd around the layout each time we ran it flat out), thirdly, those 100 car freight trains that were not challenged by any other layout and fourthly, a different train ran around the layout each time (no continuous looping of the same trains, except the TGV when run).
It should be recorded that all sections of the layout except No.1 were complete, assembled & tested in Ian’s back room two weeks before the exhibition, except Steve Weedon’s dual gauge module. Ian spent every night at Steve’s place helping to complete the missing module until two days before the exhibition, it was then fitted into the layout on Thursday night, before being dismantled & re-erected at the exhibition on Friday. This was one reason we went to a common joining section between modules when SANGS was established to avoid a missing module problem causing a disaster.
Two of the group ran the layout all day on the Sunday. There were several enquiries about joining our club (which had at that stage not even been formed).
Forming the Club and the First Committee
SANGS commenced as a club on the 5th. November 1983 after the ”N Gauge Group” held a family barbeque at Ian Bannon’s home to celebrate the Exhibition win. The original ‘N’ Gauge Group Members were: Ian Bannon, Michael Carter, Gavin Hughes, Trevor Powell, Graham Redman, David Reece, Keith Thompson, Steve Weedon and Murray White.
The original elected SANGS Executive consisted of: Ian (the collector) as President, Steve (the late) as Vice President, Murray (the scenic) as Secretary/Editor and Trevor (the Royal?) as Treasurer. The committee consisted of: David (the Pom), Michael (the Millionaire), Graham (the Converter) & Keith Thompson as Publicity Officer. Four of these original “N Gauge Group” Members are still financial SANGS members.
New Club Members
Some of the first additional members to join SANGS club were Graham Cocks, Barrie and Paul Mackinnon, Frank Giddings, Peter Green, Lance Mathias and Rob Partington. This group of active members has been an ongoing part of our club over its 20 year history.
Peter (ay Ian), Rob (the Reliable) & Frank (the Collector) served as SANGS’ 3rd, 4th and 6th Presidents and also served in other Executive positions at various times. Graham (organising) Cocks, our longest serving club Secretary, (to five Presidents) is a very well organised man, always ahead of any club function and a prolific recorder of SANGS club information and club assets, especially prizes won by whom, when and where.
SANGS members were very pleased to see Graham awarded the “Dane Parker Memorial Shield” for service to ‘N’ gauge at the 2001 National Convention in Perth. His “Aust-N-Scale” Newsletter which he and Peter Green publish with help from Ernie (drafting) Ames, helps keep Australian modellers informed of local ‘N’ gauge directions and progress.
Lance (window repairer) Mathias & Barrie (Mac fun park) have always been active and willing workers ready to help in club activities when and where necessary. Barrie not only assisted with SANGS transport needs, but also with another [funny gauge] club. We had a special vote to accept Paul (Mac Fun Park) as the club’s first junior, so any member under Paul’s age is a junior member (just a grey haired old codgers reasoning).
Graham (Port Pirie) Redman is probably our longest serving committee member having been on most committees in various capacities from Editor, Librarian, Property Officer and Committee Member together with being a general club worker, especially any heavy work, or transport duties. His efforts over the club’s 20 years have been untiring and committed to all the club’s directions.
Graham built the trusses for the club lounge room at Islington and he also installed the lights and ceiling. Recognition of Graham’s scratch bridge building must be made, from HO rail, (I will not mention this (funny) gauge again, even if Graham is involved in another club). Graham’s SANGS corner module, “Bark Mountain” with its railway anomaly of a 90 degree curved bridge, (it took him three rebuilds to achieve it), and won a People vote “Best Module” at an Exhibition. His other scratch built bridge and viaduct modules were also impressive.
Graham’s Sydney Harbour Bridge module was recently secured by the Melbourne N Club to be part of their duck-under modules. Graham has been one of our more committed 20 year club members – always willing to help, including sadly, shifting SANGS out from Islington.
Paul (ex Sydney) Tilden joined our club in 1985; his contribution to the club over the earlier years was significant as Secretary, Editor, and SANGS Club Incorporation Contact. Paul also wired the new SANGS Marshalling Yards and Power Supplies with technical help from Adrian (electronics) Davis. Paul also continued to serve on the AMRE committee after his ‘SANGS’ representation.
Adrian Davis & wife Christine (the Modeller) were an active couple in the club after the 1985 Exhibition. Adrian was the club’s electronics expert; he designed and made our first communications equipment with Peter Green. He is still helping SANGS members well beyond his time in the club.
Chris’s scenery and modelling efforts made other module constructors reassess their module’s appearance. Chris’s hand painted individual stones on the church she constructed, together with a wedding party were very impressive. The Knaresborough module she and Adrian scratch built from a photograph, was recognised by ex Poms that had been, or used to live near there. It won SANGS’ best module award in 1989.
Alf and Evelyn Davis (Adrian’s father & mother) scratch built a 4ft corner module model of “Conway Castle”. Chris Davis, her mother Mrs Ineson, Evelyn Davis, Elizabeth Tilden (Paul’s mother) and Elizabeth Ames (Ern’s wife), helped make the original black curtains for our exhibition layouts; they made a far better presentation of the SANGS club layout.
Ernie (the fastest draftsman in the south) Ames, has been an active member of the club since 1985. His first module was the “Mouse Trap”, (so named by Trevor Searle), it was a three story draw card for the kids and was run by younger family club members. You could actually loose trains in it, (it is a pity it is not still around these days). Ern has always drawn up club construction, wiring diagrams & manuals, together with lots of other ideas, tools testers etc.
He has sent in many letters to the club committees, commenting on club directions & activities, for their consideration. Wiring discussions between Ern & Peter (the UP) Marshall could be heard 2 or 3 clubs away at Islington. What Ern doesn’t know he looks up, or enquires from others that should know; be warned, don’t disagree unless you are sure, or can prove it. Ern does a lot of research and can produce a massive amount of work between meetings & the next day to prove a point.
However, he will quickly revise a diagram if you show it to be incorrect (no wonder he uses so much paper and ink). Ern is the lone worker on wiring SANGS’ next set of exhibition yard modules. Stick with it Ern, somebody will help once the new committee can resolve our club accommodation crisis. In the meantime Ern has refurbished twelve SANGS throttles and remounted them in groups of three.
He has rebuilt the point capacitor discharge and indicating transformers, and has also procured two new 8 Amp track power transformers for the club’s layouts. There is one thing wrong with Ernie (the fastest draftsman in the south) he models British. Even his Pommy nemesis Peter (the 1st Pom) Marshall saw the light and modelled American – to be specific – Union Pacific!
Peter Marshall was a very active member of SANGS from the time he joined in 1986. Peter made SANGS’ and many “N Trak” modules over the years including sets of three corner modules with removable hinge pin joints, which were also used on his 6’ internal and external corner module, his tee modules and the two up side down S bend modules.
Peter spent from one to seven days a week at Islington or home working on club modules and controls. What he couldn’t finish, he took home to work on or repair. Peter also financed many items over the years for the clubs benefit (eg. six radios now in use and two radio controllers). Peter constructed most of the club power supplies used by the club in later years. Earlier this year Peter was made our second SANGS Life Member but was unaware of the honour as he passed away before it could be officially bestowed on him.
It is with a deep regret that he could not be here for our SANGS 20 year celebrations. Peter was a tireless worker for SANGS and only stood down from Vice President when his health failed him. Some club members helped his widow Barbara by securing Peter’s pride and joys, which was his last wish that SANGS members should have first choice of his models.
Club Philosophy and Module Parameters
Two of the first things to be decided by the new SANGS club were a club philosophy and a set of parameters for the construction of N Scale Modules. The modules were designed with two tracks front and two tracks to the rear. They were also designed to be reversible with removable skyboards that could be fitted either side of the module.
Construction of our first 4.5 module frames was at Murray’s place with a production line type of construction. The module frames were sold to club members for $10 each for a 1200mm module.
Trevor Searle invited our new SANGS Club President and Secretary to be part of his Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition organising group for the proposed next railway show.
SANGS’ First Exhibition
SANGS first Model Railway Exhibition as a club was at the St. Clair Youth Centre in 1985, where we entered a 16 module 10.8m x 9.6m L shaped layout of club member’s modules with 2 x 3.6m yards in the rear of the L, with an internal corner module between them
The controllers were constructed and owned by club members. They were on 10m long plug in leads and plugged into a switch control box with 5 pin din plugs powered by four electric blanket transformers, one per track. Operators followed their trains around the layout, producing some tangling of the leads, requiring frequent untwisting of leads to untangle, eight controllers, two per track and four yard controllers, some members operating more than 1 controller at a time during the three days.
The SANGS layout was featured in the American N-TRAK magazine with 5 photos, thanks to (Big) John Parkes. In 1986 we entered a 12m x 3m layout at the Mount Barker MRE.
A.M.R.E. Formation
With encouragement from Trevor Searle, Adelaide Model Railway Exhibition was formed by six model railway clubs, viz: Adelaide, Classic Train Collectors, Mt. Barker, Märklin, SANGS and SARMA, to take over the organisation and running of all future “Adelaide Model Railway Exhibitions”.
SANGS second Exhibition was at the Port Adelaide No.1 Shed in 1987. The club exhibited a 14.4m x 4.8m rectangular layout with a tee module at both ends leading into Ian’s 2 x 12’ internal yards with balloon loops on the inner ends. The Western 2.4m x 1.2m NTrak “Tee Module” built by Barrie Mackinnon & scenicked by Frank Giddings, was off tracks 1 & 2, with tracks 1 & 2 passing under track 3, which was raised and looped to clear the two outer tracks.
The Eastern SANGS “Tee Module” was off tracks 3 & 4 and constructed by Rob Partington. The two SANGS “Balloon Loop” Modules were built by Barrie & Paul Mackinnon. We shared first prize with Gavin Thrum’s “Terowie North” layout. We had a change to our club module parameters & adopted a SANGS version of the American “NTRAK” System using metric dimensions & using 4 RCA plugs for the module connecting loop wires.
Two conversion modules were constructed by (Big) John Parkes and Ern Ames. Paul Tilden provided switching assistance to allow the new “N-TRACK” Modules to connect with the previous SANGS Modules. Tony (GM&O;) Ihle built the first SANGS upside down module with a plaster moulded causeway; it was that good some funny (HO HO) gauge modeller bought it, one that Frank’s collection missed out on.
SANGS was given the duty of organising the public food stall holders and providing lunch and Sunday night tea for all exhibition entrants and operators. Frank Giddings procured the food and drinks, all six AMRE clubs provided two wives etc. each day, to help prepare the meals. All cooking was done by Frank’s ever helpful wife and delivered by him in his new 4 wheel 8’ x 5’ covered trailer, which was used to transport club modules for this and many other Exhibitions over the years.
Mount Gambier and Munno Para
In 1988 we attended our first Mt. Gambier Exhibition with a 9.6m x 3m layout. Malcolm (B&O;) Collett recently SANGS Treasurer and lounge room modeller at home with son Tim was a most welcoming President at that club. SANGS exhibited an 8.4m x 3m layout at the” Munno Para Community Development Board” Exhibition, where we again won the Mayor’s Choice “First Prize”. We also exhibited at the Julia Farr Centre.
SANGS’ Incorporation
SANGS was incorporated on the 21 September 1988 much to the efforts of Graham Cocks and Paul Tilden.
1989 Election and a Change of President
In April 1989 Ian Bannon stood down as President due to health problems. Ian was voted as SANGS first “Life Member” much to his surprise.
Murray (scenic) White was elected as SANGS 2nd President taking over Ian’s AMRE duties as well. Murray was our first scenery expert and took time to coordinate the scenery between different owner’s modules. His support in the initial “N Gauge Groups” layout, and SANGS’ clubs development, once established helped in its formative years. Hw was another draftsman who helped prepare drawings and the “SANGS Module Specifications”.
SANGS’ third Exhibition was also at No. 1 shed Pt. Adelaide in 1989. We exhibited a 14.3m x 3.6m rectangular layout with 2 x 12’ new SANGS marshalling yards in the rear with motorised points and matrix switching. The layout required packing under the northern side legs due to floor slope.
1990 Election and a Change of President
Peter Green was elected as SANGS 3rd President and he continued on with the club’s exhibition focus including leading trips to Mt. Gambier and Ballarat, building his own “Little Red (Covered) Wagon” to transport his and other club modules.
Peter and his wife Helen have remained club members and are still attendees at National “N Scale Conventions. Pete, your 1.2m Reynella Bank corner module is in SANGS storage, I’m sorry to inform you the grass has faded and gone dry, perhaps you should have left it darker? The Green’s No.1 son David is also an ‘N’ scaler and was the winner of the competition to design SANGS door module; he also made a good job of its construction. We have heard he’s a bit of a mini dabbler the same as Presidents 3 and 5; I do hope he doesn’t show them up, SANGS past Presidents are a unique group David, don’t be too hard on them.
SANGS exhibited at Mt. Gambier MRE for a second time in 1990
SANGS’ fourth Adelaide Exhibition was held at the Wayville Showgrounds in 1991, where a rectangular SANGS and “N Trak” layout was combined and exhibited.
Barrie Mackinnon won the “SANGS Best Module Award”. At this time SANGS’ uniform was agreed upon and members were encouraged to be attired in same navy blue colours.
SANGS purchased Mt. Barker’s MRC covered trailer in 1992, the module racks were made and installed by Graham Redman.
SANGS attended Ballarat Exhibition in June and Blackfriars School Fete in October 1992.
SANGS pre Islington club meetings were held on the 1st. Saturday of each month at the Richmond Baptist Church, (arranged by Peter (church member) Schneider) requiring members to bring their modules and set them up before we could run any trains.
We also held alternative Friday or Saturday intermediate monthly meetings at club member’s homes. The club owes a lot to all those early members and wives, who made their homes available for club meetings, films, slides, module building, electrical work, model comparisons, repairs etc. and supper brought by members. Some members had very good cooks, (some of these attended for their own social gathering). Other members that didn’t procured something on the way. They were good social gatherings enjoyed by all who participated; even the mother’s club division had a regular clientele, who wanted to know when and where the next meeting would be.
1992 Election Change of President
SANGS 4th President Rob Partington was elected in 1992.
SANGS fifth Adelaide MRE was held at the Wayville Showgrounds in 1993, where a rectangular “SANGS” & “N Trak” layout was combined and exhibited. David (Editor) & Ben (junior) Orr won the SANGS best module award that year.
In 1994 SANGS was part of a Tri-State “NTrak Layout” at Ballarat.
One of the most significant events in SANGS history was when the SANGS committee under AMRE Representative Rob Partington secured a SANGS Club Room as part of the AMRE group of six clubs at Islington in December 1994.
Rob’s direction of club activities included his and the committee’s efforts to construct the SANGS Lounge Area at Islington. He has been an active and proficient club member from our first year as a club. Rob’s modules were always top class and lifted SANGS’ Exhibition image whenever they were displayed.
Rob’s & Graham Cocks’ organization for the SANGS 10 year celebration dinner was typical of their attention to detail. It was well received by all previous and current members at the time who attended the dinner at the Fountain Inn Hotel in November 1993. Rob continued to act as AMRE Treasurer after standing down as President of SANGS.
SANGS sixth & seventh Adelaide Exhibitions were held at the Wayville Showgrounds in 1995 and 1997 where rectangular “SANGS” & “N Trak” layouts were combined & exhibited.
In 1995 the National “N” Gauge Convention “TrakNSA 95” was held in South Australia. SANGS members who were part of the organising committee were Graham Cocks (coordinator), Reg Foster & David Orr. This was a well organised event held at the Underdale University Campus. It was very well run and was a credit to the organisers.
SANGS member Andy Saunders won the Best “NTrak” “Module Award” and another member Anthony Oliver won the “Dane Parker Memorial Shield” for the “Most Outstanding Exhibit”.
1995 Election Change of President
In 1995 SANGS 5th President Hutch (B&O;) Hutchinson was elected. He oversaw the Permanent Layout begun by the previous committee and continued to try to improve Club Module Standards. He constructed SANGS’ first two-section 1800 corner module. This was followed by three other 1800 corner modules by other club members.
Hutch and his associate Trevor (CNW) Price are no longer involved in SANGS (much to the clubs loss). Trevor was another scenery expert, also quite proficient in wiring & frame work for the Permanent Layout. Both Hutch & Trevor are still into N Scale with their own layout and help operate member Tony Brown’s layout. Keep up the good work chaps SANGS misses your contributions; maybe you can find time to return when we have new club rooms?
Tony (AN) Brown is one of our most active Australian Prototype modellers. He has his own “Coonalpyn Downs” Layout and is our most proficient DCC operator. It is a pity he was not nearer to the big city.
Stan (the Man) Haskell our resident club painter [especially nice are his SAR Centennial coaches], Librarian and Video movie procurer, continues to lift the video section with an assortment of railway tapes.
In 1996 we held our own “SANGS Club Exhibition” at Mitchell Park. Many thanks were due to those involved, especially the club member’s wives that manned the door.
SANGS also attended the Whyalla Exhibition “Model 96” at Riverton, the first of four SANGS attendances there.
The design of a Permanent Club Layout in our new club rooms was commenced by the committee, viz: Reg (CSX) Foster, Neville (Pommy) Johnson, Anthony (New Haven) Oliver and Andy (3 x 4’ modules) Saunders. Enthusiastic members assisted in its construction, some of the more active club members were Anthony Oliver, Hutch, Graham Redman, Trevor (CNW) Price, Peter (the Pom) Marshall, & Peter (the Pom) Brooks.
After three of the original committee left the club and Anthony was sadly killed in a car accident, the club’s enthusiasm waned, on the project. The continuation was put to a club vote, and it was decided to demolish the “Great Southern Permanent Layout”, much to the disappointment of those SANGS members who had committed so much to its construction. The tearing apart of the layout was the most activity that I’ve seen at the club on any one day. It is a great pity that the same enthusiasm could not have been harnessed for other club activities of a more positive nature.
1997 Election Change of President
Frank Giddings was elected as SANGS 6th President. Frank (the Collector) was an early SANGS member, in 1984 and the club is grateful for his efforts over many years especially in transporting layouts around the State, procuring barriers, and other club items and materials. Frank provided food for AMRE Exhibitions and club events over the years. He has procured most of the original SANGS modules, which are now included in his “Great Eastern Layout” – refurbished by Frank and his committed band of enthusiasts.
His “Great Eastern Layout” has been operated by SANGS on numerous occasions for Country Exhibitions, to run at church fetes & in shopping centres to promote ‘N’ gauge. In 1998 we exhibited the “Great Eastern Layout” at the Bordertown Show.
Chris Finney’s Father In-law Ralph (The most Hospitable) Adams accommodated the SANGS club members who attended the show; we also witnessed his prize winning preserves’ expertise out-classing most of the local women.
Peter (the Pom) Brooks constructed 4 x 1.8m “Port” module frames (no one can mention plywood plains) for teaching of “Junior Members”, in track laying etc. Did anything get taught?
We even rearranged the frames to suit Montana changes for an Islington “Permanent Layout” we will no longer achieve. We await the completion of Peter’s “Brahma Lodge Group” Layout for SA 2007 National Meeting. Will the rewired control panel work? Will Bruce, Stan and Gavin not spend too much time at Charlies? Remember another 7000 man hours are still scheduled. Can Gavin achieve a knight hood? Maybe if he gives up the fags, he could also afford more ‘N’ gauge.
SANGS attended AMRE’s supplementary MRE at Immanuel College in 1997 as well as the Port Pirie Exhibition using Frank’s “Great Eastern Layout”. The club later again attended the Whyalla Exhibition.
1999 Election and a Change of President
Peter (the Canadian) Cawthorne was elected SANGS’ 7th President.
He has been a tireless worker for the club over the last 7 years, in module building, rebuilding, and relaying track. Recently he has been most active in scouting around for storage & guiding the transporting of club modules & materials. Peter has done a corker job since our forced exit from Islington. I hope that his efforts, to obtain permanent new club rooms come to fruition, in the near future, to enable the club to progress into its second 20 years.
Presidents Pete’s indexing of our library will also assist in finding information; you can’t keep a good man down, even if he is only looking for information on Canadian railways for his Australian group of misled North American modellers the “Canadian Railway Modellers Down Under”.
Peter’s organisation of the Club’s 20 year Celebration Dinner must be recognised by us all. Thank you, “Pete the Canadian Pom”.
SANGS “NTrak” Layout was entered in the 2000 AMRE Exhibition at the Angle Park dog track. Tony Brown’s “Coonalpyn Downs modules” won the “SANGS Best Module Award”. We also attended the Noarlunga Exhibition.
SANGS entered Chris Finney’s Montana in 2001 AMRE Exhibition at the Angle Park Greyhound Track.
Chris (BNSF) Finney’s contribution to SANGS has been to the clubs benefit in many ways.
He has been Secretary and Publicity Officer since 1997 as well as representing SANGS on the AMRE Committee. From 1999 he took on the Dispatcher Editor’s position as well. Chris’s Slide Shows, which have yet to be topped, not only on content -Trains, Ships & Planes – but he even provides Jaffas which really go down well (no suckers in our club).
Interstate N Scalers have commented on the Dispatcher. They look forward to the next edition, together with most SANGS members – we can’t wait to find out what happens to Babe and Biggles; will he be fined by CASA for dropping those Spitfire fuel tanks over Monarto? Will von Stalhein fall foul of the formidable Customs Officer Finnegan? These and other intriguing questions are answered every month in each unfolding instalment. Ever thought of becoming a writer or publisher Chris?
Chris’s modelling expertise and scenery work on his first two “Yesterday’s Air Force Modules” (which Chris built and scenicked in six weeks before the June 1997 AMRE Exhibition), won him SANGS’ 1997 “Best Module Award”.
Chris’s scenery expertise was also applied to our club 6’ corner modules in later exhibitions thereby improving the club layout and exhibition image. Since 1997 Chris has added scenery to the club’s marshalling yards, in two stages, with some help by others. He built a third Airport module after taking on the construction of his Montana Exhibition Layout. How many club members have taken all their Annual Leave and several weeks of Long Service Leave to complete scenery on club & Montana modules?
The Present
This brings me to one of SANGS’ best Exhibition Layouts – Chris Finney’s Prize Winning Montana. This layout is a credit to Chris and to those members that assisted him in its construction. Chris’s excellent scenery work makes this a top class “N Gauge Layout”.
SANGS purchase of this layout has prevented its loss to the club. We could not build it for half the price; it would also take a lot more years to construct even if we had new suitable club rooms. The man hours contributed by Chris are probably more than all other members’ combined.
Montana has already been of great value to the club. The organising by Chris, for its display at the Fishermen’s Market at Port Adelaide, has saved the layout from being placed into storage with our other modules and has been a great promotion for the club. We now have a “Permanent Layout”, running every Sunday. It’s even making SANGS a small profit and we have attracted several (active operating) new members, as a result of the club exposure at the Port Adelaide
It is a minor pity Montana & “Yesterdays Air Force” had to be shortened by 1.8m. to comply with Market regulations and we don’t have our own club rooms to run it in. However; provided we can maintain enough operators, should we be in any hurry, to remove it, from the “Fisherman’s Wharf Market”? Maybe we can negotiate an extension, even if we do find club rooms large enough to accommodate it and all our intended activities. We have received many (only positive) comments so far and it promotes ‘N’ gauge, which is to all our benefit.
Without Chris Finney’s extensive efforts in the last seven years I sometimes wonder where SANGS would be today, let alone what the clubs future would be.
Mike (the Magpie) Bockmann’s wiring work for some years consisted of remaking Pete (the 1st Poms) connections on SANGS modules, controllers, and signalling, together with promoting module lighting pelmet boxes. Having been conscripted to wire Montana his work has proved (touch wood) reliable except the capacitor discharge units for the point motors. Can we tempt Mike back to help rewire the SANGS yards? Is the carport up yet, Mike?
Our naval member Neill Phillips, now one of those Lake Burley Griffin Commanders, also contributed to Montana’s looks and operation schedule. His presence at National meets is appreciated by SANGS members.
Recently, member Paul Turley has returned to the club with some very nice Kato models. Pity he can’t take a package we could do with a top class fault locater and wiring expert though this could cause a Gale at home.
Peter Merkel turns up regularly to help when needed, his efforts are appreciated and John Toth has made some thoughtful Micro Trains purchases – they do look good at the Port.
Steve Weedon was awarded a prize for “Best Ready to Run Rolling Stock” at the Perth “N Scale Convention in 2001. Steve (the Late) has always been a proficient re-modeller of “N Gauge” rolling stock and buildings. Check Montana at the rear of track 3 on the Essex end. Good work Steve, only half as many houses required.
But when are you going to finish those ‘N N3’ narrow gauge loco’s – we’ve only been going 20 years and you started them before SANGS began? Some say Stevie Wonder, others can think of alternate metaphors. Steve was an original pre SANGS club member so we have been pleased to welcome him back the last few years. His fine modelling work on parts of Montana was appreciated – not too bad for a dedicated Pennsy Modeller.
2002
For the 2002 AMRE Exhibition at the Angle Park dog track, Montana plus the SANGS Marshalling Yards and the “Yesterdays Air Force Modules” together with two new transition modules at the rear, were entered. This conglomerate won the People’s Choice Best Layout Award at the show.
Richard (Great Northern guru) Foster our previous transport procurer, now ‘N’ gauge modelling supplier, somehow convinced his mother to make additional green Hessian curtains for the SANGS yard side of Montana. I’ve been informed that mum and her helpers are not looking forward to repeating this chore. Perhaps this is why Claire (the better looking) Finney declined the chance to repeat her efforts on the front of Montana – a big thank you to both Claire & Mrs. Fosters group because their efforts certainly helped SANGS club win the Peoples Choice Award.
Phil (Fritz Car) Southam a relatively new SANGS club member appears to have the right attitude, because he’s willing to help with Montana modifications at the club. It’s a pity about his car club connections, but still he has the right radio etiquette and can operate with the junior members without problems.
2003
Our 2003 Exhibition at Angle Park was a combined with Melbourne N Trak members. This was a great success incorporating SANGS’ Marshalling Yards and Yesterdays Air Force Modules. This combined layout also won the People’s Choice Best Layout. It was our third combined club layout, the second was at Stawell in 2002, which was also a great success.
Melbourne N Trak are a friendly easy-going group of N Scalers. They have a good adaptable “NTrak” layout that is very compatible with our SANGS NTrak modules. We should encourage any future combined Interstate layouts because the camaraderie in these combined exhibitions is well worth the effort involved. Many good “N gauge” friends are made. You can always learn and see something different; some interesting trains and modules, eg. The working ‘N gauge “Drive in Movie Module” which was a prize winner at Stawell in 2002.
Melbourne N Trak President George (never stuck for an Answer) Johnstone is a font of information and enthusiasm. His clock work on the SANGS marshalling yards is typical of his enthusiasm. He and other interstate ‘N’ gauge modellers are always welcome at SANGS.
Junior Members
Anyone under 36 is a “Junior Member” these days, or so it seems! However, Ashley (the Module King) Haskell, Luci (the Ace Track Cleaner & Photographer) Cook, Nick (the Tram Gangster) Diaz, Rodney (the Occasional) Bates, David (the Loco King) Balkauskas, Hugh (the Joker) Finney, Simon (our potential new electrical king, we hope) and ‘N’ Gavin (our No. 1 yard operator) Mitchell, have been quite active running trains at Port Adelaide recently. Isn’t it funny how often the radio batteries require changing when the “juniors” operate? Keep up the good work boys because we can’t have the retirees doing all the work and getting tired.
Ashley Haskell has already demonstrated his ability in module building by winning a “Best Module Award” in 1999. Nick has taken on the clubs webmaster position and has the site it up and running.
They all have been willing to help assemble and operate SANGS Exhibition layouts. The older club members are encouraged to assist them in any ways possible; these members will be the life blood of the club, in the future years, we can live in hope, they all head in the same direction of the clubs best interest.
Clinics Help Us All
Clinics conducted by many SANGS club members over the years have been a benefit to all those members that have attended. You can always learn something new.
Whyalla newsletter member Greg (the rusty old German) Wish-Wilson, made with absolutely no notice one of his once in five-year visits to the club, only to find our intended clinic cancelled. Greg, without hesitation said “I will do it” and gave an excellent impromptu clinic, producing weathered rolling stock and locos, with details of his methods of spray painting, together with effects from different make spray guns. I’m sure they weather German loco’s to stop them going rusty, but that’s my story. Anyway, a memorable effort by Greg, it’s a pity he doesn’t live closer.
Rob Carpenter’s moulding clinic was also worthwhile – it is a pity he was relocated Interstate as even his failures were good value. Apply for a transfer south Rob – we will approve.
This is not, in any way, intended to belittle the efforts of other clinic instructors over the years. Who in many cases, have gone to considerable effort, to prepare and conduct a very informative clinic. Your effort has been recognised and appreciated by those who have had the privilege of attending your clinics.
Dispatcher Editors
One other group of SANGS Executive members that have over the whole of our 20 years contributed to the club’s success are the Dispatcher Editors. All of them can take a big bow; their contribution to the club has helped in many ways. You have kept all SANGS members informed and motivated, which has not been easy at some times.
National N Scale Conventions
Many SANGS Members have attended Interstate National N Scale Conventions both before and after South Australia’s effort in 1995. I can personally recommend them to any committed ‘N’ Gauge modeller.
Rodney (Builda) Poole entered his scratch-built station in the Victorian National ‘N’ Gauge Convention in 2003. We look forward to him building his brass ‘N’ gauge loco kit, if his station is any indication of his work, together with Rod’s soldering experience over the years we can’t wait, even if Rod does take his time to make sure it’s right.
The Executive
The club has benefited greatly over the years by the various SANGS Committees – especially the Presidents and Secretaries whose tireless efforts not only for SANGS but also for AMRE over the 20 years have steered the club through many challenges. The Treasurers who have attended to our finances and Librarians who have built up a good club library of donated club books & video tapes.
Active committee members have also made their own specific contributions. Their combined leadership, enthusiasm, activities and work ethos, together with those more active members that not only turned up at meetings, but were also willing to help with club activities be they module building, wiring or scenicking, for exhibition layouts or other club work have all contributed to SANGS’ success.
A big thank you to all those members and long suffering wives, mothers and others who have contributed to the ‘SANGS’ Club successes over the years. May the next 20 years be even more successful and rewarding to all club members?
Remember you only get out of the club what you put into it. But please all try to pull in the same direction – don’t run off the rails as it achieves far more when we all have a one track mind. ‘N’ Track.
It may be small in scale, but it is the greatest scale for realistic modelling, running and public interest.
Don’t forget model railroading is fun for every one.