Back in February I uttered those immortal words during a school staff meeting...."perhaps we could have a model railway show to raise funds for the school". And so there was no backing out. The staff liked the idea and handed the organisation over to me. After all, I am sure that none of the female dominated staff had ever been to a model railway show, let alone realised such things existed!! I am not being sexist here you understand...there are some great blogs written by female modellers out there...they are just not part of our staff who see the token male and his interest in all things model railways to be a passing amusement! Mind you, I think they saw a great "get out clause". With the school celebrating its 5th anniversary in its new purpose built building, and needing to raise £5,000, the headteacher wanted the staff to run a fundraising event to contribute. So why not let the token male go away and do it all?? Perfect for them...not so for me!

In February I was panicing. How on earth could I get this done. I have never been a member of a model railway club, and didn't know a thing about organising a show! What was I to do?? Thankfully many fellow RMWebbers came to my assistance and things began to move. Now the clock is ticking and there are just a few weeks to go until the day of the event finally arrives! It is amazing to look back and see how far things have come. From having no layouts and no idea how to get any..I now have several. Fellow bloggers have promised some layouts with Irton Road, Friarsgate, Guy's Cuttings and Summat Colliery all agreeing to attend for little or no expenses. A big thanks to these guys in advance and I can't wait to see all of these layouts on the day. I also have a demostrator and a diorama that I must confirm in the next few days.

The organising of the show has also given me plenty of bargaining power with my wife. She has been very understanding as I have disappeared off to attend countless local shows in the hunt for more layouts. This has produced a display of micro layouts from Ken Jones and Malcolm Hughes as well as a commitment from the Famous Trains group to bring their "Darley Green" layout. Chris Trafford's "Board Lane" has also been promised and I await an email from a gentleman I saw at Butterley who also promised to attend with his foreign based layout. I also have some representatives from the Ilkeston group who are attending with their Thomas layout which the children can pay to drive - funds going to the school. Thanks in advance guys!!!

I was flying even before a visiting teacher heard about the event and promised a rather large modular layout from the Belper group.

And then of course there is my own layout, Skaleby West. I hadn't even thought of attempting a show layout before February, but now this is nearly finished. The fiddle yard board has been completed and one small area of scenery still needs to be attempted. Can I leave it until October half term??? Maybe not! That is just two weeks before the show.

So as I take stock, and finalise the floor plan over a relaxing pint of "Flying Scotsman" real ale I can feel the panic subsiding a little. Lots of layouts and plenty of trade stands promised too! Hang on! There is still the catering to organise, the show guide to finish and the traders stall rents to collect. Oh and the hope that all my measurements are correct and everything fits where I intend it to go! Oh and that enough people respond to our adverts and turn up on the day...nothing worse than an exhibition with no punters! I can feel the panic returning. Maybe I need another pint!!!

Actually what I do need is the staff to step forward and help out with the catering and the raffle. I had better hope that they step up during tomorrow night's fundraising meeting. The only thing on the agenda - the Weston-on-Trent Model Railway show. Oh and I have a couple of small gaps in corridors. Just right for a couple of small shelf layouts. Now then....if anyone is free on Saturday 10th November....................

Until next time...