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Next up is the familiar, but always interesting, Elbow Lane (OO).

A show favourite was Drws-Y-Nant (2mm finescale) a station between Bala and Dolgellau.  A simple passing station, but with a very strange piece of trackwork into the goods siding, and very much a place to watch trains in the landscape.  The sheep outnumber the passengers.

OO9 shunting on Loctern Quay.

Another show favourite, Wimborne Station (OO), a close to scale model of what was once the busiest station in Dorset.  Shunting in the extensive goods yard ensures that there’s always something on the move.

I’m not always convinced by heritage railway models, as it can be an excuse to run absolutely anything.  However, I’ll make an exception for Ropley (OO), a close to scale model of the loco works and sheds on the Watercress Line.  Great modelling – it’s very difficult to model something that’s under restoration!

A typical, but rarely modelled, bit of the Southern Region on Folly Lane (OO.)

An interesting O gauge cameo layout, St Kew Highway.

Light railway action on Compass Point (OO).  Although I’m not so sure about heritage railway models, light railways do allow one to let ones imagination go – providing there’s a Terrier.  Lots of good scenics here, especially the estuary at low tide.

A frosty morning at Kinmundy (EM), somewhere in Scotland.

The Wantage Tramway reimagined in OO9.

And finally, entering Mr Dawes’ domain, the tea room, automated Austrian narrow gauge (OO9) on Kaninchenbau, and urban grot on Trinity Dock Street Bridge (OO).

Another excellent show, and a good morning out.  I hope to be driving again soon, to visit a few more of the local exhibitions.

Saturday morning I got to my first railway exhibition since August.  My shoulder is on the mend, so I joined Derek and Derek for a visit to this always good show.  Arriving early to enjoy a bacon roll and coffee in the on-site café, we were first into the hall – a chance to trot round for photos before the hordes arrived.  As usual, I’ve got photos of most of the layouts – there was very little ‘filler’ in the show – and I’ll take the layouts in the order of the show guide.

We start with Lochty (EM), the goods only terminus of the East Fife Railway, operated by the North British Railway.  The lowering backscene is pretty basic, but typical of the local weather!

Next up is the all too familiar Forrestone (N), manned by the ESNG reps, Sean, Lucas and Allan (though Allan seemed busy drinking the exhibitors’ tea room dry.)  

And also on video….

I’d seen Northport Quay (7mm scale, 36.75mm gauge) before, a well modelled piece of County Mayo with a lovely ‘Puffer’ at the quay.

Los Tanimals (N) – USA modular railroading, and just a small part of their full set up.

Loughborough Midland (OO) is model of the old Midland Railway station, in the modern era.

Shepherdswell (OO) is a close to prototype model of the old East Kent Railway.  Lots of interesting industrial steam, plus the connecting Southern Region trains.

Wisteria Collop (OO9), and Gilly North’s Cynon Valley (N) based on her WW2 evacuation.

Two GWR branchlines, Bigbury-on-Sea (OO) and Dillmouth (O).

Part 2 of a very pleasant morning next time.