David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Wednesday 13 December 2017

Action at Oxley Sidings

We’ve had rather a lot of snow here in the Midlands over the weekend, in Wolverhampton our first for four years I think. Phil and I had planned a VBCW game for Monday of this week, but by late Sunday after 7” of snow that looked very doubtful. But, we are not that easily subdued here in GHQ and Phil gamely battled the rush hour hordes to drop Diane off at work (up the hill from GHQ!) and duly presented himself at the door before I was washed and dressed! We had a leisurely breakfast and then repaired to GHQ to prepare our game. Just when we were having a coffee before starting, disaster struck! A pipe leak under the kitchen sink! An hour spent clearing and drying, then the plumber arrived! We were fixed and off we went into GHQ for Turn 1.
In all we managed seven Turns and a break for lunch, so the game will restart next Monday, when hopefully it will be less cold and dramatic. As ever in our VBCW games we were using Bolt Action 2 for the rules, a set we are comfortable with now and which keeps the interest of both players at a high level of involvement with the random dice activation. 
The action referred to in the title sees the Government forces attempting to capture, or destroy, an armoured train which the railwaymen of Oxley Sidings have been working on since the summer. Phil commanded the Government forces :- two large Brigades of Infantry, one Regular, the South Staffords, and one Volunteer, mostly from that nest of reaction that is Tettenhall, supported by cavalry, a Vickers Mk VIC tank, a Blacker Bombard, a Medium mortar, MMGs and an anti tank rifle. I commanded the Socialists, two brigades of Volunteer Militia, supported by three mortars, two armoured cars and an 18lb gun. 
I don’t want to give two much away before Part 2 is played out, but here are a couple of action shots to wet your appetite ~
The Armoured Train and its defenders.

The forces of Repression advancing in numbers.

The gallant railwaymen of Oxley Sidings.

All being well we shall play the game to a conclusion next Monday, so pop back next week for some pre-Christmas cheer, hopefully.

16 comments:

  1. Awesome pictures David, beautiful vehicles, figures and terrain...

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    1. Those are very kind sentiments, thank you Phil.

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  2. The government attack seems to have stalled somewhat, a break for tea, and it will be renewed with great vigour. That's the plan anyway, the General wants a train for Christmas.

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    1. As a Rule 37,para 3, sub section A states, hostilities will be resumed after tea.

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  3. I do like that train, looking forward to part II.

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    1. I hope you will not be disappointed George.

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  4. Lovely looking table as usual David! We have been using Bolt Action for quite some time now and enjoy it, but recently gave Chain of Command a try and loved it! I highly recommend trying it if you haven't as it added just the right amount "crunch" we felt BA was missing. I do understand the reluctance of learning new rule sets as I'm the same way, but in this case it's worth it imho. Either way I really enjoy viewing your games!

    Christopher

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    1. We’ve played CofC at Phil’s. Like all Lard it focuses on command rather too much and is weak on the mechanics of action in my opinion.

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    2. Interesting as I feel the mechanics of BA are not better, but rather just quicker. I also find BA to more generic then CoC and sacrifices detail for fluidity, but I'm not putting down BA as I enjoy the game rather I just feel CoC gives a more convincing experience imho. All that said as long as we are having fun in our games that's all that matters.:-)

      Christopher

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  5. Lovely armoured train, your not having any luck with your plumbing are you?
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, at least I hope the plumbing behaves in future!

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  6. Splendid stuff.......looking forward to the resolution. Love the train hopefully it is going to move across the battlefield so we get a better view 😀

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    1. The train is currently immobile, but may get up steam on Monday, we shall see...

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