Had a busy day today but a bit about what I achieved last night first. Thought I would tackle another small project and pretty much finished the construction of the PLM field kitchen. Another bit of unusual detail that should add a bit of extra interest to the layout. Very straight forward really and just need a little bit of detailing and then painting which shouldn't be hard.

Now apart from taking little one to a bowling party first thing the rest of the day was spent at the O Gauge Guild Expo at Telford. There is just so much good stuff there which, if I have won the lottery tonight, I might almost be tempted by even though it is mostly standard gauge. A really well run show which majors on trade and demonstration stands with possibly a few more layouts than previous years. Had some good chats with a few favorite suppliers and some 'big names' on the demonstration tables. The show is on again tomorrow if you fancy it.

Here is today's haul,

Duncan Models did very well out of me today but certainly don't object as have filled some gaps for me. A real problem has been road transport in 1:43. The best I have found so far is an American (and 1:48), truck by Backwoods or a 1:48 plastic Ford ambulance by RPM. Then, spotted a series of 1:43 Ford Model T trucks from Duncans. Well I have one in front of me now and looks well thought out but is going to need a hefty bit of modification to turn it back a few years. Is actually a bit smaller than I expected as well which is going to make things interesting as I have plans to motorise it. Duncans also provided a field gun that is going to be mounted on three B class wagons as per a photo in one of my books from Hay the other week - Ah! just one small problem - there are no B class wagons available. Damn, am just going to have to build some! Some more wagonish bits that I have plans for, some corrugated iron and even more figures added up nicely!

Other significant purchase was Gordon Gravett's new book on grass and other things. I spotted this last week at the SVR, then procrastinated at the WHR and the FR (sorry did I not mention that had a flying visit to North Wales with little one and another climb up Snowdon), but finally gave in today. Twenty five quid is a fair whack for a book like this but I have a feeling it is worth it - it looks brilliant!

A couple of bits from Adrian of ABS finished off my haul. I could have bought much more (like a Metal Smiths rivet press), but will have to save that for another day,