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MERG West Midlands Area Group (WMAG)
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How do I contact the Area Group
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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 Meeting Requirements
These have been eased, and we are re-starting our meetings.
There is plenty of space in the pump house, and we will have the doors and windows open to keep it well ventilated.
To further reduce risks we ask, whilst seated for the presentation, the audience will wear face covering (unless you have a medical exemption).
In discussions, Members should observe social distancing (2 Metre) rules where possible. If that is not possible, then members should wear face covering.
(Consuming coffee and cake through a mask is not a problem that we have been able to solve yet!
)
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. Take a look at the next section to see some of our 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.
- 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 Done Previously?
And the Next Meeting?
| Date | Event | Description | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 09-Oct | West Midlands Area Group Meeting | At our next meeting John Fletcher will be adding to our understanding of Arduinos, and Peter Wilson will be talking about 3d printing. | Titford Pump House, Engine Street, OLDBURY, West Midlands B69 4NL |
Programme for our next Meeting?
| Time | Description | Who |
| 10:00 | Coffee & Registration | All |
| 10:15 | Welcome | AG |
| 10:30 | Arduino | JF |
| 11:30 | Coffee, Tea,& Cake Break | All |
| 11:45 | 3D Printing | PW |
| 12:45 | Any questions? | All |
| 13:00 | Lunch | All |
| 13:30 | Practical session 1 | All |
| 14:30 | Tea, Coffee & Cake Break? | All |
| 14:45 | Practical session 2 | All |
| 15:45 | Meeting close | AG |
What is Happening Online?
Currently, WMAG members are participating in the Zoom calls being organised by the nearby East Midlands, Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire area groups.
Some forthcoming activities are as follows: -
East Midlands Area Group
The East Midlands Area Group hosts a very popular call once per month.
| Date | Event | Description | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 16-Oct | MERG East Midlands Area group meeting | Face to face meeting, date now confirmed. Agenda to follow. | Wansford | |
| 09:00 06-Nov | JMRI Part 3 weekend course | Third JMRI weekend course on train automation, covering various automation techniques including custom scripts, YAAT and Dispatcher. | Rushden Transport Museum | Link |
| 10:00 13-Nov | MERG East Midlands Area group ONLINE meeting | Online meeting, agenda to follow. | Online Zoom Meeting |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 20-Oct | WNO Zoom Meeting | Ian Kay - Part 3 of “My life on the railway” | Online Zoom Meeting |
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
