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Herstmonceux in ‘OO’ models the LBSCR in Sussex.  A rural location, but as with anywhere south of London, the opportunity to run plenty of trains up to the ‘smoke’.

Fintonagh (O-16.5) models an imaginary terminus on the 3′ gauge Clogher Valley Railway, and its interesting (including early internal combustion) rolling stock.

Northallerton in ‘N’ models the East Coast Main Line in the privatisation era.  A massive layout, and quite impressive, but I went away thinking that size isn’t everything!  But that’s just me, and it was an excellent example of what can be done in ‘N’.

More O-16.5 (and a little O-9) with Wittendon.

Wolfe Low (in O) has a mixture of LMS pre-grouping stock and an interesting quarry area.

St Georges Dock (in O) featured some lovely ship modelling.

Vale of Oxbury in ‘N’ is a lovely piece of modelling.  A wide range of trains pass through this Western Region junction station, and the scenery has plenty to look at, too.

I was correct in saying that there were three ‘N’ gauge layouts at the show, but last and not least in our review is Llangerisech, GWR ex-Cambrian, in 2mm fine scale.  Another well travelled exhibition layout, it’s always worth a look, not least for its reliable operation.  My only criticism was that the layouts very good fluorescent lighting seemed to be in phase with my phone, and my photos came out very dark (but could be adjusted).

All in all, a very pleasant exhibition, visited with good company and with a high standard of layouts and some inspiration.  Trade-wise, I came away with a couple of wagon kits to add to my collection of unbuilt models.  Well, if the wind dies down, I can get on with spray painting my LV coaches – my spray booth is the front drive, and the latest gales passing though have made this impossible.

I often miss the Epsom & Ewell MRC show at nearby Epsom.  Some years it has been the same weekend as our ESNG exhibition, and others the week after – and after our own show, I’ve had enough of model railways for a week or two!  But in 2019, I’d recovered from NGSE, and gave the two Derek’s a lift up to Nescott to have a look at this good quality exhibition.

As one entered the show, we first stopped to look at Frecclesham – 14′ of Southern Region branch line.  Simple, but very nicely presented.

On to Theobalds Yard, mixed gauge in 7mm scale.

Dent in ‘OO’ took me back to teenage years, and David Jenkinson’s inspiring EM model.  A simple oval, really, but it captures the character of the Settle and Carlisle.

You’d have to guess that ‘Minories’ in ‘P4’ would be a favourite of mine.   Based (surprise, surprise) on CJ Freezer’s classic Minories plan, with more complex station throat pointwork, green EMU’s, working point rodding operate the points, and all movements in and out of the station operated by bell codes.  What is there not to like (though two days of operating with bell codes would be enough to drive you mad – even worse than the year we exhibited the Cha(I)rman’s Swiss layout complete with cuckoo clocks.)

South Snowdon (NWNGR) is built to 8mm/ft, to give an accurate gauge/scale ratio on ‘OO’ gauge track.  An interesting representation of the actual station at Rhyd Ddu, but unfortunately in a very dark corner of the hall.

Arun Quay (in O) has become well known on the exhibition circuit, but it deserves its plaudits.  Interesting to see the pictures of how it is constructed, and an example of an expanded polystyrene faced with 1/16 plywood baseboard girder.  Very, very, light and surprisingly strong.

First of the three excellent ‘N’ gauge layouts in the show was Little Aller Junction.  A cut down version of Aller Junction on the Western Region main line in the South West, this layout feels more than 7 feet long.  I’ve been following its construction on N Gauge Forum, so it was great to see it in the flesh.  All goes to show that you don’t need a station or sidings for a very satisfying layout.  The most complex trackwork is in the fiddle yard, where lines cross over in order to get trains back on the correct up or down, fast or slow, line.

Last for today’s blog is the OO9 Garreg Wen.  Very attractive narrow gauge modelling, that can immediately be placed into mid or north Wales.