So, as I write this blog, there is now less than three days to go until the first ever Weston-on-Trent model railway show. Now is the time that things should be coming together. As far as the layouts are concerned that is very much the case. Most layout owners have replied to my recent email and confirmed their attendance and how many operators are due to be coming. That will help us to sort out the free lunches for them and hopefully ease the growing panic amongst the ladies who are running the refreshments on the day. The planning meeting on Monday saw some very stressed ladies!!

The problem is, as this is our first show, we just do not know how many people to expect. We could have just 50 people through the doors, or we could have ten times that. It is impossible to make a prediction which makes stocking up on food very difficult. We don't want to waste profits by ordering too much, but we don't want to order too little and run out within the first hour. It is a difficult balancing act and it is causing some stress amongst the ladies at present.

Am I stressing? Well maybe just a little! Whilst the layout owners have been brilliant at replying with the necessary informaton, the same cannot be said of the traders. Despite being asked two weeks ago to send payment in advance, I am still waiting for several of them to come up with the money. Worryingly one of these claims to want an advert in the show guide which is due to be printed on Friday and the ad hasn't been sent either. The last thing I want is to be printing the guides on the morning of the show!

I also need to put the finishing touches to Skaleby West. Sadly modelling time has been eroded as my ten month old daughter has chosen the perfect time to turn into a diva. Anyone who saw her smiling and charming people at Burton on Sunday...do not be fooled! Actually, to be fair, a serious case of teething has caused some very restless nights which has restricted the time I have had to finish the layout. I have had to grab whatever time I can. Last night I stole ten minutes, before heading out to the Rams match, to glue down the cork on the fiddle yard board. Tonight I have turned my attention to detailing the platform. Earlier in the week I added signs to the station fencing, station lamps and benches. A pile of baskets were glued onto the platform in front of the station building and some more "goods" were added to the platform in the good's yard. Now I have added the figures to the platform and added the station name board. Here are the latest pictures,

The newly installed station name board, trolley of milk churns, benches and people.

A general view across the platform showing the additional detail including signs, people and pile of baskets.

Further details to the top of the tunnel. A single man watches the action from the top of the embankment and a garden roller leans against the cottage wall.

More goods added to the good's yard area. The goods shed still needs some attention before Saturday.

And so as time continues to tick I still need to finish the fiddle yard and add more detail to the layout. The show guide needs finishing and I need to make some road signs!!! I almost forgot about them!!!

Until next time....