public:eastmids
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- | :-)====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ====== | + | :-) |
- | [[:public:areagroups|Return to Area Groups | + | ====== MERG East Midlands Area Group News ====== |
- | [[:public: | + | [[https:// |
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | **This is the public page, members please check here for the latest news | ||
+ | [[areagroups: | ||
- | Joint area group coordinators - Brian Norris, Pete Brownlow and John Gowers | ||
+ | Joint area group coordinators - Pete Brownlow and John Gowers | ||
- | To send us an email, use the [[https:// | ||
+ | To contact us, use **[[https:// | ||
For MERG members, you might also like to look at our [[https:// | For MERG members, you might also like to look at our [[https:// | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== SUMMER 2018 MERG East Midlands area group meeting ====== | ||
- | **Sunday 15th July 2018 from 10:00** | + | ====== January 2024 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== |
- | Kindly hosted by Judi Rastall at her place in Sutton on Sea. | + | Here is the agenda for our January online Zoom area group meeting. |
- | Come to the seaside for our Summer meeting! The weather forecast is hot and sunny. | + | **Saturday 20th January 2024 from 10:00** |
- | The venue is about 5 minutes walk from the Prom, so you might like to bring the family for a day by the seaside, whilst we get on with the far more important stuff! Partners and families are welcome to use the other room for teas/ | + | This meeting |
- | Judi can accommodate up to 20 people, so bookings are first come first served. If we become fully booked, | + | As before, we have found that regular breaks of roughly 10-15 mins worked well, to avoid people |
- | If you would like to come, please let us know as soon as possible. If you do decide at the last minute, it is still worth getting in touch as, with the longer distance that most have to travel, the numbers are usually less than more centrally located meetings. | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | Most of you will know that Judi is our Kit Sales Manager. This is an opportunity to see the huge MERG kit operation, how Judi manages the stock, processes the orders and sends out all those kits. | + | **AGENDA** |
- | Sutton on Sea is on the east coast of Lincolnshire between Skegness and Grimsby. Parking is available on street near the venue. We have scheduled this meeting | + | The meeting will be informal and flexible, |
- | This venue is less convenient | + | * 10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat |
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:45 - Essex Brick part 2 - getting into using YAAT for automation - Eddy | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | ||
+ | * 11:45 - My initial exploration | ||
+ | * 12:15 - QnA on the above talks | ||
+ | * 12:30 - Kit and other news | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * 14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic | ||
- | Tea and Coffee will be available, lunch can be purchased from local fish and chip shops (which are open on a Sunday), or bring your own if you prefer. | + | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
- | Judi has been progressing her loft railway, so you can have a look at how it is getting on. It is OO gauge DCC, visiting locos and stock are welcome. | + | For the help clinic session in the afternoon, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. |
+ | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I will send out the usual reminder email, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== December 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here is the agenda for our December 2023 online Zoom area group meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday 9th December from 10:00** | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting will be online using Zoom. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As before, we have found that regular breaks of roughly 10-15 mins worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
Line 44: | Line 77: | ||
The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | * 10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat |
- | * 10:30 Introductions and group news | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, |
- | * 11:00 The Great Model Railway Challenge | + | * 10:45 - Essex Brick a lockdown to exhibition layout |
- | * 11:45 Short coffee break | + | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) |
- | * 12:00 Update | + | * 11:45 - Update |
- | * 12:30 MERG kit news by Judi Rastall – News on new/updated kits, availability, | + | |
- | * 12:30 Progress on my layout | + | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK |
+ | * 14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic | ||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
- | * 13:15 Lunch - Fish and chips from the local shops or bring your own | + | For the help clinic session in the afternoon, if you have built something |
+ | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | ||
- | * 14:30 Afternoon sessions: | + | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside |
- | * - The MERG kit locker by Judi Rastall – guided tours | + | |
- | * - Running session | + | |
- | * - Making it work - our usual problem solving clinic | + | |
- | * - Help with soldering and kit construction | + | |
- | * - Or just relax in the sunshine in the garden | + | |
+ | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I will send out the usual reminder email, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== OCTOBER 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | **Saturday 21st October 2023 from 10:00** | ||
- | Kits will, of course, be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, | + | The meeting is Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford. Thanks |
- | For the clinic session, as we have done before, if you have built something | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/ |
- | The venue is reasonably accessible, there are a couple of shallow steps up through the front door and a step down into the kitchen of 5". The width of the kitchen doorway is 29". Please advise if you need any assistance. | + | The venue has level step free access |
- | To access the loft layout, you do need to be able to climb up the loft ladder, so this will not be possible for everybody. Judi will give a talk about her progress during the morning session, with the option to visit and operate | + | There is a cafe on site, I will confirm arrangements, but most likely we will pass the menu around |
- | Please note that Judi is owned by her two Kit Cats who will be in attendance, so anyone | + | If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endeavour to have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, the meeting |
- | If you would like to come, and have not already done so, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The meeting will be informal | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome to NVR and housekeeping - Russ Jenner | ||
+ | * 10:35 - Group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:45 - CBUS and JMRI at Gwynne Junction - James Cunningham - including some or all of CANMIO Rev K, JMRI semaphore signalling, my JMRI touchscreen signal box and Railcom | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 12:00 - MERG & kit locker updates - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 12:30 - The Universal Experimenters Module - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * | ||
+ | * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations | ||
- | If you have already emailed or posted that you are coming, you should get your confirmation email in the next few days. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | During the afternoon, as well as our usual help and problem solving clinic, Russ advises that the railwayana shop at NVR will be open which now has quite a lot of double 00 and a few N and O gauge second hand stock. | ||
+ | If he can get the 00 layout running for the afternoon he will do so. | ||
- | ====== MAY 2018 MERG East Midlands area group meeting ====== | + | Short trips to the NVR shed will be available during the afternoon. |
- | **Saturday 26th May 2018 from 9:30** | + | It is a running day at NVR with 3 trains, pulled by W D Austerity. |
- | Kindly hosted by the Nene Valley Railway | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the week before the meeting, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. Please don't just turn up on spec, in case there are last minute changes we need to let you know about. |
- | Thanks | + | Let us know if you need a lift from Peterborough station. Please plan to arrive at Peterborough station no later than 9:30am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting. |
- | These arrangements | + | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I have noted you and I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting.) |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ====== JULY 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday 8th July 2023 from 10:00** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Due to Judi's building work not being complete in time, we have swapped the venues for our July and September meetings. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting will now be at Aisthorpe Village Hall, near Lincoln, Kindly hosted by Lincoln & District Model Railway Club (L& | ||
+ | |||
+ | Thanks to Richard Joyce for organising | ||
+ | |||
+ | Tea and Coffee will be available all day, please bring your own packed lunch as there are no other facilities nearby. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The venue has level step free access and reasonable parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working well, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website. | ||
+ | |||
+ | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. Please remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
- | With lots of good stuff on the agenda, We've gone for a slightly earlier start - since most people | + | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: |
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:45 - Introduction to the Lincoln & District Model Railway Club - Richard Joyce | ||
+ | * 10:50 - The CANPROG - what it is, building one, using it to program PICs - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Update on FCU development (CBUS FLim Config Utility) - Julian Pratt | ||
+ | * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * 14:00 - 16:00 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic - including FCU tutorial if requested | ||
+ | |||
+ | There should also be a chance to see some of the L&DMRC layouts. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc. | ||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in the week before the meeting, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you. | ||
+ | |||
+ | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the week before the meeting). | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== May 2023 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here is the agenda for our May 2023 online Zoom area group meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday 27th May from 10:00** | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting will be online using Zoom. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Get connected, Informal chat | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:45 - MERG and kit locker news | ||
+ | * 11:00 - FCU (CBUS Config utility) - development news and status - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | ||
+ | * 11:45 - WebFCU (alternative CBUS config utility) - David Ellis | ||
+ | * 12:15 - From the MERG chairman - John Gowers | ||
+ | * 12:45 - MERG AGM event - possible East Mids Area group involvement | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * 14:00 on - General QnA and help clinic | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. | ||
+ | I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed to the area group, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== APRIL 2023 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | | + | **Saturday 8th April 2023 from 10:00** |
- | * 09:30 Introductions and group news | + | |
- | * 09:45 Introduction to the CBUS CANMIO - Pete Brownlow | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * 11:00 Coffee Break | + | |
- | * 11:30 MERG Kit news - Judi Rastall | + | |
- | * 12:00 Lunch (early as the NVR cafe may be busy) | + | |
- | * 13:00 3D printing - Howard Watkins | + | |
- | * 14:30 Split out for afternoon practical clinics: | + | |
- | * Setting up the Universal CANMIO with Ian Hogg | + | |
- | * 3D printing with Howard Watkins | + | |
- | * General kit problem solving with the usual team | + | |
+ | Here is the agenda for our April meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society (KMRS) at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. | ||
+ | |||
+ | You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away and there is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website. | ||
+ | |||
+ | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. Please remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about, and so we now how many people to cater for. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger Barker | ||
+ | * 10:45 - CBUS update - what has been happening in the CBUS world - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:45 - The new improved MERG ATC system - Mike Collins | ||
+ | * 12:30 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and partially running (one corner currently has an engineering possession for relaying the track). This uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up. Pete will also have the Missenden St Mary's layout set up and running. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Feel free if you want to bring something to run, the 00 layouts are DCC, the N gauge layout is analogue. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc. | ||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, before the event, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you. | ||
+ | Regards, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pete | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== SEPTEMBER 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday 3rd September 2022 from 10:00** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here is the agenda for our September meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society at the Kingsway Centre in Wellingborough. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The venue has level step free access and good parking. If you need a disabled space reserved, please let us know. | ||
+ | |||
+ | You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away. There is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Provided the Internet connection at the venue is working, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. I will add a Zoom link to the meeting info, so that it appears in your upcoming meetings on the MERG website. | ||
+ | |||
+ | More details of parking and how to find the venue will be included in your confirmation email when you book your place. PLease remember to book a place and not just turn up on spec, in case there are any changes we need to let you know about. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
- | We will ask for £2 per head to cover the room hire cost and £1 each in the " | + | The meeting |
- | Kits will be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, then it would be best to pre-order what you want from the kit locker for collection at the meeting, as Judi can only bring a selection of stock to the meeting. | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:40 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker | ||
+ | * 10:45 - Turntable Tales - My journey so far with the Peco Turntable and MERG Turntable Controller - kit John Wood\\ (Also includes using Julian' | ||
+ | * 11:15 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:30 - DCC and CBUS new developments with live demo - Pete Brownlow\\ (Including new features in CANCMD, CANCOMPUTE and development news on CANMIO (Universal) ) | ||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
- | The NVR cafe will be open from about 8:30 for bacon butties or full breakfast, and also open at lunchtime. However, as it is a bank holiday running weekend at NVR, it may be very busy. For that reason, we have scheduled lunch early, and we may make arrangements to pre-order during the morning. | ||
- | The meeting room is step-free accessible. If you need a disabled parking space reserved close up, please let us know. | + | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic |
- | For those who would like to come by train, we can arrange to collect you from Peterborough station or, if you can get there early enough, I can collect from Wellingborough station on my way to the meeting about 7:30am. | ||
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details and directions to the venue. | + | The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running, this uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout |
- | Members from outside | + | Feel free if you want to bring something to run, |
+ | |||
+ | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving, techniques such as soldering etc. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | ====== FEBRUARY 2018 MERG East Midlands | + | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands |
- | **Sunday 4th Febrary 2018 from 10:00** | + | Please book a place rather than just turning up on spec, if there are any last minute changes we need to know who is coming so that we can contact you. |
- | Kindly hosted by the Syston Model Railway Society at their clubrooms at The Old School Community Centre, Thurmaston, Leicestershire | + | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days). |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ====== JULY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
- | Thanks to SMRS and MERG member Mike Collins for arranging this venue for us. | + | **Saturday 9th July 2022 from 10:00** |
- | Due to when the venue is available, we are trying a Sunday this time. The Pros are that members who have Saturday commitments, | + | The meeting |
- | Collection can be arranged from Syston station | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover both the venue hire and teas/ |
- | Tea and coffee will be available. | + | The venue has level step free access |
- | We will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover the room hire. | + | There is a cafe on site, we will pass the menu around in the morning so you can order lunch if you wish. |
+ | |||
+ | If the Wifi at the venue is working well enough, we will endevour have a Zoom connection | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is a running day on the NVR, purple timetable, scheduled | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
- | The meeting room is on the ground floor and easily accessible. The clubrooms housing the SMRS layouts are upstairs. | ||
**AGENDA** | **AGENDA** | ||
Line 157: | Line 366: | ||
The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
- | * 10:00 Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | + | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members |
- | * 10:30 Welcome to SMRS - by Mike Collins | + | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions |
- | * 10:35 Introductions | + | * 10:40 - Developing FCU - progress |
- | * 11:00 Update on progress with my new automated layout by Colin Head | + | * 11:20 - Tea/coffee break |
- | * 11:30 Tea/coffee break (or recovery time if we are running late) | + | * 11:30 - Colin Head - Demo and progress report on my layout |
- | * 11:45 Kit locker | + | * 12:10 - MERG & kit locker |
- | * 12:15 What's new and coming soon in JMRI latest versions - Pete Brownlow | + | * 12:30 - LUNCH BREAK |
- | * 13:00 Lunch - Bring your own | + | |
- | Also a chance to see the SMRS layouts on site | + | * 13:30 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic |
- | * 14:00 Making it work - practical sessions using members projects, MERG kits or anything else. | + | Note: " |
- | * 16:30 Wrap-up discussion, confirm next meeting and thanks | + | |
- | * 16:35 Carry on with anything else we havn't fixed yet until we get thown out! | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message here in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in due course, you will get a reply with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Let us know if you need a lift from Peterborough station. Please plan to arrive at Peterborough station no later than 9:30am, so whoever picks you up does not have to miss any of the meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Those who have already let us know that you are coming, you should have received a confirmation email with directions, parking, lunch details etc. If you have not received your confirmation email, please get in touch. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== APRIL 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | **Saturday | ||
- | Kits will be available for purchase. If you have specific requirements, | + | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Kingsway Model Railway Society |
- | For the practical sessions, as we have done before, if you have built something | + | We will ask for a donation of £5 per head to cover the venue hire and teas/ |
- | If you already know what you want help on for this session, please | + | The venue has level step free access and good parking. |
- | If we didn't quite have time to get your project properly sorted at the last meeting, please bring it along again and you will be top of the list. | + | You can either bring a packed lunch or nip out to somewhere locally, the town centre is about 5 minutes drive away. There is a co-op shop a few minutes walk away. |
- | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. You will get a reply in due course with full address details, directions to the venue and parking information. Let us know if you need a lift from the station. | + | We will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot |
- | MERG members | + | More details of parking |
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:35 - Introduction to the Kingsway Model Railway Society - Roger barker | ||
+ | * 10:45 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt (held over from the previous meeting) | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Kit locker update - news about MERG kits - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 12:15 - CBUS update - developments and things I am working on - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations and practical problems help clinic | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Kingsway Model Railway Society 00 gauge layout will be open and running, this uses the MERG DCC system and CBUS. The N gauge layout will also be set up. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving etc. There will also be the chance to operate the Kingsway 00 gauge layout using the MERG DCC system. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a day or two, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next day or two). | ||
---- | ---- | ||
+ | ====== FEBRUARY 2022 East Midlands MERG Area Group FACE to FACE meeting ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday 26th February 2022 from 10:00** | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting is Kindly hosted by the The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society at their clubrooms on Retford Railway Station. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Thanks to MERG and Bassetlaw Railway Society member Julian Pratt for arranging the venue for us. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Bassetlaw Railway Society are not charging us for the use of the room, but we will ask for a donation of £2 per head to cover the cost of teas & coffees and make a donation to the Society. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Parking is available in the station car park at a cost of £5. You can of course come by train to Retford Station. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If we can get a Wi-Fi connection at the venue, we will have a Zoom connection for the morning meeting, for those who cannot come in person. However, I understand we are reliant on the LNER hosted Wi-Fi at the station, so we don't yet know if this will be possible. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Numbers will be limited to 20, to ensure reasonable separation. Mask wearing is now optional, please make your own choice. We would recommend that everyone takes a lateral flow test before coming. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Arrival, Informal chat and get to know the other members | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome, group news and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:40 - The Bassetlaw (North Notts) Railway Society - Julian Pratt | ||
+ | * 10:50 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - Simon West, John Gowers & Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Different cabs for the MERG DCC system - continued | ||
+ | * 12:15 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 12:30 - My CBUS & JMRI journey - Julian Pratt | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 13:00 - LUNCH BREAK | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 14:00 - 16:30 ish - Demonstrations, | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The cabs session will cover basic how to use the MERG DCC system, circuit designs, the standard MERG CANCAB and other variations designed by members. | ||
+ | |||
+ | During the afternoon John Gowers will provide a soldering clinic, both through hole and surface mount. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We will of course have our usual problem clinic providing General help on problems with kits or other electronic projects, building, testing, problem solving etc. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to come, please send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk or post a message in the East Midlands Area group section of the MERG forum. I will add you to the list and, in a few days, you will get a reply with full details, directions to the venue and parking information. Even if you are not sure yet whether you can get along, please let us know anyway so we can plan for likely numbers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | (Those who have already let me know that you are coming, I will be sending out confirmation emails in the next few days.) | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ====== JANUARY 2022 East Midlands ONLINE area group meeting ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here is the agenda for our January 2022 online area group meeting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Saturday 15th January from 10:00** | ||
+ | |||
+ | This meeting will be online using Zoom. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As before, we have found that breaks of roughly 10-15 mins per hour worked well, to avoid people getting fatigued from staring at their screens, so we will plan to do the same again. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **AGENDA** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The meeting will be informal and flexible, so these are approximate times: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 10:00 - Get connected, sort out any microphone/ | ||
+ | * 10:30 - Welcome and Introductions | ||
+ | * 10:45 - - CBUS miscellany - Pete Brownlow | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Latest CANMO (Universal) firmware release | ||
+ | * Using RFID and Railcom in JMRI | ||
+ | * CBUS control panels for Burnden Park | ||
+ | * Any other CBUS updates | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 11:30 - Tea/coffee break (make your own!) | ||
+ | * 11:45 - Kit locker update - Judi Rastall | ||
+ | * 12:00 - Lunch break | ||
+ | * 13:00 - QnA and anyone looking for advice and help on any projects | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
+ | |||
+ | For the QnA sessions, if you have built something and would like any help and advice, please be ready to wave it at the camera, and we'll see what help and advice we can give from afar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you would like to join in, please go to the MERG website, select the menu option MEMBER LINKS-> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Please don't share the Zoom links with anyone outside MERG, or post them on any public social media or web page. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you cannot see the details for East Midlands area group meetings, go to https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you still can't get the Zoom link, send an email to eastmids@merg.org.uk and I'll email you the Zoom link. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I will send out the usual reminder email to everyone subscribed to the area group soon, it will go automatically to everyone who is subscribed to this area group. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== Details of Earlier East Midlands Area Group meetings ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[areagroups: | ||
+ | and [[areagroups: | ||
+ | NB. These links are for MERG members only. | ||
+ | |||
- | [[public: | ||
+ | {{tag> |
public/eastmids.txt · Last modified: 2024/03/03 07:45 by PeteB