Apart from Bath Green Park, the main hall held a number of large layouts, and these would have been just about worth the price of admission.   Starting with Faringdon (P4), a close to scale model of the GWR branch terminus.  I’ve been following constructional articles of this layout – especially the scenery – in Model Railway Journal, so it was good to see it in its most excellent flesh.

Possibly on one of its last outings was Grantham – the Streamliner Years (OO).  This is a layout that has grown on me, but it is a very realistic picture of the east coast main line in LNER days.  It’s not just about the streamliners, the local passenger and goods workings are just as well modelled.

Next, Plumpton Green (P4).  I met Barry Luck years ago going to a meeting at Southern Water and finding that we were both modellers.  Plumpton Green is a smaller LBSCR layout than his last on, aiming to be lighter and more transportable with increasing age….

I’m delighted to see that Canada Street (EM) is still being exhibited, despite the untimely death of its builder.  A perfect slice of British Railways yard and docks, its strength is that locos from any region can be operated on the generic – but beautifully modelled – rails.

And finally today, Melton Molbray (North) (N).  A layout that I’ve seen a lot, but it’s such a good model of a real location, and shows the strengths of N gauge, modelling a real location in a reasonable (if rather large to my eyes) space.  And full of cameo scenes and great buildings.