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Dutch HRCA AGM (1) (2) 

The Dutch HRCA had its annual AGM on Sunday 28 November 2004. Paul van Hooft was our gracious host this time, and had transformed his house into the ideal venue for such an occasion. On looking back, we can safely say we had an excellent meeting, which will be clear form the pictures on this and the following page.

As always we assembled for the traditional group portrait. A grand total of 12 members were present (from left to right): Peter Zwakhals (club secretary), Paul Vreede, Hans van Dissel, Niek van Ees, Jan Bierdrager, Piet Buis, Joop Wieringa, Paul van Hooft (seated), Piet Scholten, John Keates, Derk de Vries and Henk Brouwer.

This photo was taken in Paul's study, which doubles as a train room. Part of his collection is displayed against three walls, sitting in showcases painted a most appropriate rich LMS red.

As can be seen in this room, Paul's collection isn't confined to Hornby alone. The showcase at left does contain some pristine Hornby, but most of the others are reserved for Marklin trains. Demonstrating that he is also an avid collector of Kraus Trains, Paul is actually the Founder and President of the Kraus Circle (and also its sole member).

Next to trains, the main attraction of our meetings is conviviality (one of the meanings of that ubiquitous Dutch word "gezelligheid"). While outside darkness rapidly closed in, inside we had ourselves a splendid time. A very good glass of wine quite nicely helped things along, as is evident from the discussion here between Niek van Ees and Joop Wieringa.

One of the traditions that has developed for our meetings is to outdo one another with the lunch, and Paul certainly set new heights. Not only candle light, but also a traditional Dutch pea soup, rich with smoked sausage, bits of bacon, onion and potato. Accompanied by a plate of herring, these delicacies had disappeared before anybody stopped to think about taking a picture...

During his welcoming speech, Paul reminisced about the Dutch HRCA's early days. Our very first meeting was ten years ago, and was also hosted by Paul. He related some of the highlights of our times together, and also gladly noted our membership had doubled since then.

Connoisseurs will spot one of Marklin's finest on the shelf over Paul's head: an HR loco with accompanying coaches.

Next to his train collection, this is Paul's other pride and joy: a 1940s Harley Davidson in police livery. On our way from the train room to lunch in the back room we all stopped to admire this beautiful machine.

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