Stowmarket Exhibition 2018

This was Sefton Yard’s first outing for a while, it has been stored for over a year. It was also our first Exhibition that all four of our ‘group’ members attended. Stowmarket is always an excellent Exhibition and this year was no exception, with a great selection of quality layouts. As planned I spent most of the day on the DEMU stand doing a demo, this left the other three on ‘shift’ on Sefton. We had some great comments, mainly that there are so many shunting options in such a small space in O Gauge.

Please see the below photo’s all taken by Shaun.

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Cambridge Exhibition 2018

 

We attended Cambridge Exhibition with Norton Wood, its first outing on the Exhibition circuit. I made Norton Wood about two years ago, but never quite got around to taking it out. Because of this I decided to sell the layout to Graham who already had suitable 3rd rail Southern Region stock to run on the layout.

After some last-minute adjustments, both at home and before the show, everything was ready. I have to say that it ran superbly all day and we had lots of good comments.

I guess we went just hoping for a trouble-free day, but the day just got better as it went on. Around lunch time Graham had a visit from Alan, the Exhibition Manager and we were presented with the ‘Best in Show’ Trophy. I have to say this was very  unexpected as the quality of the other layouts attending was truly excellent. The Exhibition also had one of my layouts that I sold nearly five years ago, Hobbs Warren in O Gauge. Terry and Bernard have extended it slightly and added new features, thanks chaps for looking after her so well, she is a credit to us all.

I would like to thank Alan and his team for a lovely day, really well organised show and one I  would attend even if I was not Exhibiting, with luck we will be invited back next year with a different layout.  Also thanks to Colin French and Dave Tailby for the usual banter.

Below are some photo’s taken by my wife, it was a bit tricky for her as there was a bit of light bleed through the curtains.IMG_5110

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Lessons learned – Extend the fiddle yard by 9 inches to allow full length 4 car Units – We just fell short of automatic Spratt and Winkle couplings due to lack of time, this must be completed by the next Exhibition.

Norwich Exhibition 2018

We had another outing with Morlock Heath, this time to the Norwich Exhibition at Hellesdon.

We were running our 1988-92 Era most of the day, although we ran a few oddities towards the end of the Show. I would like to thank the Norwich Club for their hospitality, it was a great day.

Below are a few photo’s taken by Shaun.

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O gauge Terrier for Norfolk Coke!!

The new owner of Norfolk Coke and Tar Layout is my son John. As I retained all my industrial Loco’s ready for another project, John has to re-populate the layout with small tank engines. I have no idea whether it will retain its name or be changed to a name more akin to BR 1950-60 era.

Anyway John purchased a Terrier to start his O Gauge steam collection and I of course offered to weather it for him. I did sell him four suitable wagons for the period and I know he wants a few more. I think it will end up more as a shunting plank than an engine shed. I will post further as more rolling stock is purchased and possibly a name change.

The layout will remain available for Exhibitions locally.

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