The 2025 annual meeting of the Dutch HRCA was held at the home of Chris de Groot. A total of 12 members attended. We were welcomed with a delicious lunch, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. After lunch, we were able to take a look at Chris's train room. He originally expanded his father's Marklin H0 collection. The cabinets, literally filled with items in boxes, are testament to this. In recent years, however, Chris has also caught the vintage model railways virus, as evidenced by the items displayed on shelves, in boxes, and (still) on the floor.
Chris's interests are more then model railroading only. He's also active in the world of vintage car racing. Since most of the attendees are also passionate about technology, after lunch we also took a look at one of his racing cars in the garage: a 1300 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TI.
This meeting's theme was that attendees were asked to share an item from their collection that has a special story attached to it. Below is a short selection of the stories.
Dutch HRCA secretary Peter Zwakhals showed a post-war Hornby MO set with a Dutch Hornby 'trein' label. This was the first Hornby item that he bought and eventually grew into a very large O-gauge train collection.
The set was purchased in the early 1980s at the only Dutch Vintage Toys and Trains fair that Holland then knew, which was held in the Deventer area. From the members present Paul van Hooft and Duco Postma have been collecting vintage toys and trains long enough to still remember this fair.
For his story Duco Postma gratefully took advantage of the purchase he made during the meeting: a Hornby LMS E120 Tank Locomotive.
It was this model (but in clockwork) that marked Duco's first foray into the world of 0-gauge many years ago. And, like many of the attendees, it guarantees a life of spontaneously expanding 0-gauge collections, supplemented with other antique toys and constructional sets.
Erik van Dam showed his Jep transformer, which looked very scorched. This transformer was used for lighting the accessories on his layout.
By accident it was left on for a long time after the layout had been used. The result was a significant amount of smoke in the attic, for which the fire brigade had already been called. Fortunately, the fire could be prevented before the arrival of the fire brigade. Measures have now been taken to ensure that you do not forget to turn off the power after using the layout.
Rob van Teijlingen brought two 00 models of the Merchant Navy Class and West Country Class locomotives: a Wrenn Plymouth and a Hornby Dublo Barnstaple.
The locomotive's design by Oliver Bulleid has been modified several times over the years: the original chain-driven valve gear was not used on later locomotives, nor was the streamlined cover. An interesting detail is that some locomotives in these classes were given names of Dutch shipping companies that served Southampton on their routes, such as Holland America Line.
Barend Westerveld demonstrated his wide interest in antique trains and toys. He brought along a beautiful set from the American manufacturer Dorfan. The name Dorfan is derived from the German manufacturer Fandor, and was founded by two German employees with connections to the Fandor family business.
To underscore his broad interest in antique toys, he also brought along a well-functioning, clockwork model of a funicular railway. This one is of Japanese manufacture.
Henk Dubbelt had brought his Hornby Flying Scotsman. It is professionally repainted in a black livery. What was less well done however, was that upon arrival the mech turned out to be stuck solid.
Further investigation revealed that a previous owner had glued all the moving parts around the wheels with a considerable amount of superglue. After the locomotive spent a few nights in the freezer, the parts could be freed again. After cleaning, proper assembly and some oil, the locomotive runs perfectly again.
With a nice series of photos on his iPad, and one of his favourite JEP locomotives, Henk Jan Heinhuis explained that he is working on setting up his train room. At the centre of it is the layout, which is literally being built on 'table' size on a wooden table. In addition to JEP, Hornby France also has a place in his collection.
Our host Chris de Groot showed a late Hornby No. 40 Tank Locomotive. After purchasing this locomotive, he took it to a vintage 0-gauge model railway and was so impressed with its running qualities that he also converted to 0-gauge.
Members often bring more interesting items to show or sell to a meeting. Left an Italian Inco-Giochi trainset and right some Meccano airplanes.
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