Last Saturday was the Tonbridge show.  One of the largest one day shows, certainly in the south-east, and always a good one.  And it’s popular, as it has one of the longest queues to get in that I’ve seen!

Mr Dawes was taking the train to Tonbridge, as last year, and I considered going along for a pleasant train ride and a good show.  However, when I looked at the layouts there, most, if not all, of the layouts I wanted to see had been at the exhibitions I had gone to through January.  The exception was a layout built and operated by an old friend (going back to school days.)  So I decided to stay at home, and in the end got a little modelling done as well as some other jobs.

But Allan has sent me some pictures of a selection of layouts – most of my favourites included too.  We’ll start with Blackmoor (OO9), Lynton & Barnstable in the 1930’s.

Plant City (HO).  Miami switching on a large scale.  It’s a big layout giving a really spacious feel with quite a simple track plan.  And if you get tired of the switching, you can look for alligators.

Elbow Lane (OO) is a compact layout, with an EMU service and a parcels depot.  I really like the urban grot, and the buildings in the background.

Bear Creek (N) sounds, and is, American!

Southwark Bridge (N) needs no introduction (see previous exhibition posts!)

The Lemanis Light Railway (OO9) has some interesting details.  Note how the giraffe is pushing the wire fence down to get to some better grass….

Ospringe (St.Peter) and Water Lane (N)….

Norge (HO).  I’ve seen this layout several times, but being based in Norway always makes for interest – different trains and some exotic scenic details!

Obbekaer, rural Denmark in P87.  Something different again, and both very simple and very satisfying!

Rossiter Rise has also been doing the rounds of exhibitions recently.  And always worth another look.

Another favourite of mine, City Basin Goods (N).  It was a few years ago that this layout came to the ESNG exhibition (2018 according to the plaque on the front of the layout.)

Kinlochlaggen (N) seems to be everywhere at the moment!

And to finish, some real trains in Tonbridge yard…