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.

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.