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MERG West Midlands Area Group (WMAG)
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How do I contact the Area Group
Who is the leader of the group?
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Allan Gardner M6237 - Group Leader
Would you like to join today?
Not a member? then
and sign up to this Area Group. If you are already a member
Select West Midlands Area Group from the drop-down list in Other Area Groups and press the Subscribe to Area Group button.
How do you meet?
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We meet at theBirmingham Canal Navigations Society's historic premises at
Titford Pump House
Engine Street
OLDBURY
West Midlands
B69 4NL.
There is plenty of car parking – mostly on Engine Street, some within the Pump House compound.
All facilities are at ground level.
We meet four times a year in January, April July and October.
Usually the January and July meetings are on the second Sunday of the month, with the April and October meetings on the second Saturday.
COVID - 19 UPDATE
UPDATE.Our physical meeting scheduled for Sunday 10th July 2022 is proceeding .
Do not come to the meeting if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, are in a self-isolation period or have been in contact with someone who has or is suspected of having COVID.
In discussions, please be considerate regarding social distancing where possible.
What does the group get up to?
Our day's meeting starts at 10:00 am and concludes at 16:00. See below for details of our next meeting.
The day is split into two parts.
The morning session is more formal in so far as we have one or more guest speakers.
The topics are far-ranging.
Click here to view details of previous meetings
The afternoon session is informal and generally consists of:
- Members working on their current project (normally a Kit).
We will do our best to help with construction and problem-solving. - Talking to presenters about the days topic.
- Bring along something you are working on, even if its work in progress and share it with others
- Passing the day talking all thing model railway electronics.
We charge £3 for the day which goes to the BCN Society for the use of the pump house.
We do not charge for tea, coffee or the superb cakes that are kindly supplied by one of our members' wives.
What have we have been up to previously?
And the Next Meeting?
| Date | Event | Description | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 10-Jul | West Midlands Area Group Meeting | Simon West, has offered to talk on the MERG CAB options and particularly what will be the new CANCAB2 kit (Simon is doing the production design and will be the elf) as well as his own slightly larger version. It will also be a useful opportunity to get further feedback on the new kit version and views on pot operation vs encoder. David Roberts will present An Introduction to Electrical Measuring and Testing. This talk will provide an introduction to electrical and electronic test equipment as applicable to model railway electronics. | Titford Pump House, Engine Street, OLDBURY, West Midlands B69 4NL | |
| 10:00 27-Aug | Bournville MRC Annual exhibition | MERG West Midlands Area Group in attendance at the exhibition. See link below | The Austin Sports and Social Club 30 Tessall Lane, Longbridge, Birmingam B31 2SF | Link |
| 10:00 24-Sep | Stafford Model Railway Circle Annual Exhibition | MERG West Midlands Area Group in attendance. | Stafford County Showground | Link |
Programme for our next Meeting?
| Time | Description | Who |
| 10:00 | Coffee & Registration | All |
| 10:15 | Welcome | AG |
| 10:15 | Talk 1. MERG CAB options | SW |
| 11:15 | Coffee, Tea,& Cake Break | All |
| 11:30 | Talk 2 An Introduction to Electrical Measuring and Testing | DR |
| 13:00 | Lunch | All |
| 13:30 | Practical session | All |
| 14:30 | Tea, Coffee & Cake Break | All |
| 14:45 | Practical session 2 | All |
| 15:45 | Meeting close | AG |
What Local Organisations do we work with?
Link to local model railway sites.
The MERG West Midlands Area Group have attended model railway exhibitions, organised by the following clubs: -
Stafford Railway Circle
Bourneville Model Railway Club
Warley Model Railway Club
Cradley Heath Model Railway Club
What is Happening at other MERG Area Groups ?
Here are some of the activities being organised by the nearby East Midlands and Warwickshire & North Oxfordshire area groups.
East Midlands Area Group
The East Midlands Area Group hosts a very popular call once per month.
| Date | Event | Description | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 16-Jul | Getting Started with JMRI Panel Pro - weekend course | PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE! Assuming no prior knowledge, a weekend getting to grips with JMRI layout software | Rushden Transport Museum | Link |
Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire Area Group
Our colleagues at Warwick and North Oxford AG are holding biweekly virtual meetings on a Wednesday evening. East Midlands AG are also holding monthly virtual all-day meeting. The schedule of both these groups is given below. If you are interested in attending these groups sign up here and select ‘join area group’.
| Date | Event | Description | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 23-Jul | Warwickshire, North Oxford Area Group | What can JMRI do? - Simon West Usual help and workshop discussions | LWMRS Clubrooms |
