Weston-on-Trent Model Railway Show 2013

Last year I wrote a blog entry, entitled "The Longest Day", to recount the events of the inaugral Weston-on-Trent model railway show. Without doubt this year's event produced an even longer "longest" day.

For me the Weston 2013 event began with an unwelcome 5am alarm. This was followed by a leisurely breakfast, before I embarked on the "ninja" loading up of the car as I tried to load up Skaleby West without disturbing my slumbering wife and daughter. Things seemed to go very well and the layout was packed up quicker than last year. Amazing considering I was taking an extra board this time.

I was ready to leave by 6.30am. The journey to school was slow as I paused to put up the road signs. Following the comments from last year's event we were fortunate enough to have the loan of some larger and professional signs. A big thank you to the Mickleover Model Railway Club for allowing us to use their signs. Mind you, putting them up in the dark and the early morning drizzle was an interesting experience!!

I arrived at school by 7am at the same time as the first trader. A quick wrestle with the padlock and I was able to open the side gate and allow them into the hall.

The next few hours passed by in a whirl with a constant procession of arrivals as setting up got into full swing. Inbetween showing people to their pitches I was able to set up Skaleby West. I was pleased that the layout had arrived intact with none of the damage sustained last year. The station fencing, lamps and furniture all remained firmly in place, and even the trees had not shed many of their leaves. It looks like last year's repairs had worked well. Then the moment of truth arrived. The controller was plugged in and the first loco was placed on the track. Unlike last year it worked first time. My trusty "Jinty" 47279 shunted from fiddle yard to fiddle yard with a single wagon in tow. A few little pieces of track cleaning and everything seemed ok.

Before long opening time arrived and the stress levels seemed very low. Things seemed to be going smoothly. There were none of the dramas compared to last year - no sluggish ovens or staff locked in the toilets! I should have known things were too good to be true. Within the first half an hour I received reports of complaints over the car parking. It seemed that the car park was "rammed" by opening time. Whether some of the exhibitors had not heeded my request to move their cars to the pub car park, whether some of the school staff had likewise ignored the request or whether we had had an early rush I do not know! There was also a report from a colleague that someone had backed their car into a lamp-post although no member of the public reported that to me. Having done the same thing myself a few years ago after a particularly tiring day I hope there was not too much damage.

In response to the obvious parking issue I called in an offer of help from members of the Ilkeston Woodside Model Railway club and deployed their members on car park duty. A huge thanks to them. If I can ever repay the favour in anyway I will!

Later in the day I heard reports that there was plenty of cars parked in the nearby Village Hall car park and in the adjoining roads. We certainly seemed to have had a good number of visitors and there was a steady crowd all day. The stall holders reported much improved takings.

All in all the show seemed to go well. Once again the ladies in the kitched worked tirelessly and there was plenty of praise from exhibitors and public about the quality of the lunches. Lots of people seemed to pass on positive comments and the only issue that was raised was the parking.

As for Skaleby West after its smooth start it produced a tempremental morning. There was lots of stalling issues, especially from the usually reliable "Jinty". After much consideration the final loco roster was made up of:

Jinty 47279

Ivatt tank 41324

Midland 3F 43474

Standard 4 tank 80120

Standard 4 75065 (afternoon only)

Super D 49395

Of these locos the Standards generally ran well, although the tank had a habit of stalling in the same place all day. The Jinty had a tendancy to derail wagons during shunting movements as its coupling seemed to ride under those on the wagons. The most reliable proved to be the Ivatt tank.

The Super D was the one new engine into the ranks. It had never left the box before and so was understandably a little sluggish at first. By the afternoon it ran well.

During the day I also managed to sell a few unwanted items and reinvested the money into a new purchase. A second Ivatt tank, a weathered version, was added to the ranks and made a brief appearance late in the day whilst a young "fan" was having an operating turn.

So all in all the show seemed to be a success. The current total is just under £1000 which is much higher than last year. A big thank you to all involved - the exhibitors, traders, visitors and staff. A special thanks to the Mickleover group for the loan of the road signs and their donation and the Ilkeston club for their work in the car park. I hope to post some photos soon although the files are currently being described as "too big".

As I sit he bleary eyed after being awake for 18 hours I feel pleased with the efforts. Another year has gone. I have now organised two shows. Would I do it again.....you bet I would!!!