Did EM scale do at Partington yesterday.
Had a really good time.
Great modelling, the running was very good, hardly saw the 'Hand of God' at all!!
I had several good conversations , namely with Mike Edge, Chris from High Level and a really nice Welsh guy whose name I'm afraid I didn't ask, operating on Glaisden.
It had been suggested to me that there wasn't a proper 'signature' layout and a load of 'Shunting Planks'!!!
Well, I really liked the 'Planks.'
Waterloo St. Any layout with a Fowler Dock Tank on it has my interest!!! Looked good, lovely rolling stock, eclectic stock, ran really well. Score!
Glaisden. Takes me back to the 60s. Going to the Yorkshire exhibitions at Wakefield and Normanton with my Dad. Windswept open stations, the rattle of DMUs and WDs, loads of WDs.
The big mill on Glaisden is well observed. I love the Leyland Wagons that have been modified to carry wool bales. The Ford Thames coming the other way reminds me of one I have driven. Thank goodness I didn't have to battle the beast every day!!!!!!
Hartburn, because it captures the wildness of that part of Northumberland.
I don't normally have much time for 'Shed Layouts.' but Leeman Rd York, grabbed me. If viewed through the presentation arch, it works! Once again, it captures that 60s 'Old and New' look that I remember from York exhibitions with my Dad and catching glimpses inbetween fence posts of depots. It also has an A2/3 on it!!!!!
Tollesbury, the smell of the estuary, the wind in the grass the massive skies!!! Superb!!!
The vintage bus was a joy. Manchester Corporation Leyland? Oh My Yes!!!! I was on the first run from Urmston. The driver was the owner and it was a spirited run!! Marvellous!!
The hall is well suited to the informal exhibition the event is, but the parking???
All I can say is, thank goodness I was using public transport!!!!!! I feel really sorry for the parents of the kids who have to battle with that every weekend when their offspring play football!!!
The bus driver I really felt sorry for, 'cos he had to cope with this mechanical mayhem with, certainly on the first trip of the day, not a great deal of help from the event stewards!!!!
To sum up, Will I go again? If I have rest days and I'm using public transport yes.
It was worth it to see the 'Cottage Industry' traders and to be able to get face to face conversations with them.
If any of you are thinking of going, probably worth it.
Downer, there was a rail strike yesterday, one train every hour. No vintage bus today!! Have to use the 255 from Piccadilly. Get off at Partington Methodist Church.
Chris.
My opinion of the small layouts , was definitely affected by the fact I wasn't being shoved and jostled which happens a big exhibitions like Warley!! Relaxationation and the ability to chill is definitely the way to view those layouts.