A wonderfull tale of a little wagon traveling the world

 While talking to Alan about the side panel photo box Upgrades I asked if there was anything he thought he would like to see in one and he said he thought that members both new and old would probably enjoy reading about Matilda.  So I have had a look  and repaired it as much as possible (If anyone has access to any of the very few Images or Video still missing,  Please get in touch)

Well I was mesmerised :shock:   What a wonderful tale !!  It has everything from world wide travel, Friendships, dodgy doings, Intrigue, Romance ?  And never ending deadlines to be met. . . or Not !!  

What really happened to Bob the Bull ?  Did Sam the Ram… well, moving on  :twisted:    

Oh and just How many Bottles  of wine did Petermac Drink during his time trying to keep things on schedule ? ! ! !  




                                                                                                         Read on for the  wonderful story Of

                                       

                                                                                           MATILDA'S WORLD WIDE TRAVELS     :thumbs



Where is it ?  Ah well you will have to find it in the photo boxes on the right… or was it the left ? side of the Home page.    Just find and click on the Image of Matilda to Visit the thread


Cheers


  Barchester                        

 

The story of Matilda, the World Wide Wagon, is closely linked with that of Winston who was the "local" British tour wagon.  Having launched Matilda on her travels at my Penhayle Bay layout in the company of several of our Australian members I was then able to be in Blighty for her final arrival and being united with Winston at the Carn Brea exhibition.
What a great story that was, and how did it cement friendships around the world among members who - for the most part - have never actually met.  

As for the creativity whoever thought we should see a ski-jumping railway wagon piloted by a sheep?????

And no, that wasn't anything to do with Petermac's Red Laughing Water.  

This story should be preserved as best we can for future generations.

Maybe it's time to start a Matilda II world tour.  :hmm

I was one of the early recipients of Matilda and hadn't really got into the swing with the storyline at the time. I might be able to do better a second time round. 

  :cool wink

I'm thinking along those lines Jeff.

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Sorry Peter I guess you hit the wrong emoticon. .. this was the one you wanted  :thumbs

🍾🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾🍾  ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾    :cheers



Cheers

Matt

:It's a no no :Red Card :Red Card

I'm just reading it all through again Matt - my word, it brings back some memories.

Thanks a million for waking it up again.   :doublethumb

Just a thought Alan, well two actually,  If a trip Was organised and started in the Uk, I could then take it with me to Canada at the end of August and hand it over to John Dew in Vancouvre to kick off the continental part of the tour,  Second thought what about a postcard from each place the wagon visits,  sent back to HQ in the UK ?  These could also be scanned and together with photos and notes from members be put into a vIrtual 'travel diary' on YMR ?


Just thunkin  :)

Gnight

Matt

Great thunk Matt,I've got to read it again as it's been a while since I have.Lets have some ideas from the original participants.

Matilda was an Australian National stock wagon, which didn't suit my US outline layout, so she was Christened Matilda and sent on her way.

We visited several layouts around Melbourne, then if I remember correctly she went to Perth to visit Marty.

I'm not sure where she went after that, but I can remember her being at John Dew's layout for the Winter Games, where she was photographed on the ski jump.

Matilda was the second wagon to do a round the world trip.

I can't remember the name of the British one.  Winston?

There is a thread somewhere about it.

Not sure but I think both Matilda & Winston ended up with Bob Heath, the original YMR owner.
So a new wagon would be needed.
With a photo at each layout posted into YMR.

I'm busy enjoying re-reading the thread but it's taking some time …………………..

Yes Sol - you're right in that, after the Carn Brae exhibition, both wagons were donated to Bob Heath.  No idea what happened to them after he died but I know Matilda wasn't in the best of shape after her world tour - if I remember rightly, she lost a bogie (or axle) somewhere en route so became a static exhibit for photos on the later stop-overs.

As Max said, her voyage wasn't a "first" in the model railway world but It was great fun and certainly created a "family" atmosphere amongst those who took part.

I don't mind buying a new wagon, i suppose a wagon would be the best thing to use so something can be put inside to add more interest. OO scale ?, I model N scale but OO is the most common.Matt can take it to Canada so perhaps it can start with me,tour the UK partly,go elsewhere and tour the UK again.Just ideas.

I've just finished reading the Matilda thread from start to finish and my word, didn't we have some fun.

Even second time around, I was rolling in the aisles - and that's without any help from the RLW !!!  I can assure you that, in spite of suggestions to the contrary, I can make a bottle last a whole page …………………. :roll: :roll:

Matilda's visit to the Vancouver Olympics must surely go down in the annals of Railway Modelling Masterpieces.

It's sobering to note that the idea of sending a wagon around the world came from Richard (Wheeltapper) and the final recipient following the Carn Brae exhibition, was our founder, Bob Heath.  Sadly, neither of these two gentlemen are with us today.  Preserving this thread acts as a fitting tribute to both of them.  Many thanks Matt.  :cheers

A re-run ?

As I said when a re-run was suggested towards the end of the Matilda thread, for me, there would have to be a "reason" to do it all again.  I can't be sure, but I think the Carn Brae "gathering" was the catalist for Matilda - or maybe it just fixed the dates……………. :hmm     Max, Sol or some of the other members involved, can any of you remember how it all came about ?

Ironically,  I didn't have a layout back in 2010 and, following our house move in January,  nor do I currently have a layout either !!!!

I only know about Matilda, Peter - as I started it off.

Has the search box not been helpful?

Try this . . .

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=5888&forum_id=12

Thanks Max.

I actually meant the whole concept of moving wagons between members.  I know Wheeltapper came up with the idea but I can't remember why.  Was it because we decided to have a get-together somewhere ?  I know the simple "get-together" turned into a full blown exhibition but, without searching all Wheeltapper's posts, I don't know what triggered the original wagon ideas ……………………

I've found it I think - but now I can't remember how to post the source !!!   :oops: :oops: :oops:

Your Model Railway Club > Other Areas. > General Model Railway Discussion. > YMR  Show  -  a suggestion

On edit - it seems it's posted all by itself …………………… :???: :???:

No it hasn't - only part of it ……………….. :twisted:

Ah, yes.  As I recall the exhibition kind of went a bit pear shaped.

Some kind of residual acrimony as well.

All water under the bridge, what?

How do I post the whole link Max ?

Yes, there were, unfortunately, a few aftershocks relating to the show but, as you say, water under the bridge now.