Alton was one of the last shows I went to post-Brexit and pre-Covid.  I wasn’t going to go this year, but it was going to be a quiet morning at home, and an offer of a seat in Allan’s van was too good to turn down.  So I spent the morning with friends – Allan, Derek, Derek and Ron (along for the ride.)  I will confess that I was also tempted by the breakfast at the Alton Station Cafe – and very good it was, too.

The show was worth the visit, though a couple of layouts seemed to have dropped out, so there seemed to be a high proportion of trade there.  But perhaps that is what happens when you hire a school for the weekend?  Things do seem to have got more expensive to hire since Covid.  One good thing was the car parking, as the club had arranged overflow parking in an adjacent school, and it was a simple walk back to the college and the show.

I’ve just posted a few favourites today.  Beijiao (HO) was the main reason that I went along (apart from the breakfast.)  Main line Chinese steam and diesel running and delightfully authentic scenery.  I never saw Chinese steam, but saw diesels and rolling stock in Hong Kong and Guangdong, so this layout brought back good memories.  And the flats with shop front businesses on the ground floor are as typical of 1980’s Hong Kong, as the mainland.  And as for that fiddleyard!

A new layout to me was Zeedijk (HO) a stretch of Dutch main line based on a real location.  A good spot to watch the trains go by.

Meldon West (2mm finescale) is tiny, but full of detail.  And plenty to do operationally.

Garreg Wen (OO9) is most definitely set in north Wales!  With a chapel to match…

Good to see Kinlochlagen (N) again…

And always good to see Arun Quay (O).

I think that may be all the shows for me this month.  There’s a lot to do at home, such as the garden.  I might go to Tonbridge by train – or maybe I’ll be lured elsewhere by the promise of a full English breakfast?