May’s PlayDay started slowly, with just the 5 of us to set up the layout.  But Neil and Martin then arrived – unexpectedly, as we thought Neil was working and Martin was navigating an Eddie Stobart lorry somewhere in the UK.  But by the end of the afternoon we had a dozen people running trains, and a number of visitors had dropped in.  Phil also gets an honourable mention for arriving at the end, to come to the curry evening.

There were plenty of train on show, as the fiddle yard shows….

An early runner was the Stuttgart Friendship Train, consisting of gifts exchanged over the years on our Stuttgart visits.

Neil’s train of tankers looked good, especially the weathering on the tanks.

Not sure how this London Tube train escaped onto the main line.  Still, Derek’s combination of a Corgi 2012 Olympics souvenir and a Japanese chassis runs well and looks good.

Continental Europe was represented by the ICE express, and a rather attractive DB airport express.  An unusual livery, and Allan has been looking for this old Lima model for ages.

I brought along a new Farish Class 31.  Another excellent model.  They get better and better at the moment with each new release.  I remember these locomotives at Kings Cross and Liverpool Street, and also in East Anglia in green diesel days.

Finally, there were new records set by Paul for the longest Japanese goods train.  149 wagons this month – and as you can see, the locomotive couldn’t have got any closer to the brake van!

And a reminder for ESNG members.  Our AGM will be on Thursday 2 July.  Meeting from 7pm as always, AGM at 8pm.