The new year is only a few days old but there has already been a good start made to planning the Weston 2014 show. Since my last blog enteries I have received two offers of layouts from RMWeb members. Both of these will be new exhibitors at the Weston event. It is great to attract new people and I look forward to seeing both layouts in November. One layout is U.S based whilst another represents WW1 which already gives some interesting diversity to the event.

A third layout has been promised from the Ilkeston Woodside group. They have kindly supported both of our events - providing their Thomas layout in 2012 and "Fenby" last year. It will be great to welcome them back as they always go the extra mile to help. They shared the proceeds from the "pay to operate" Thomas model in 2012 and provided valuable assistance on the car park last year. I believe they will also be offering some car park marshalls for this year's event.

Three of the traders from last year have already rebooked and I am confident that the others will return as well. Another new trader has enquired about attending. Sadly I doubt I will have space as I think that, if all the current traders rebook, we will have enough trade. We don't want to overload on the trade stands.

I am fairly confident that a couple of other exhibitors, who appeared last year, will return with different displays and models I just need to contact them to confirm arrangements. All in all it is a good start the plans for Weston 2014. Anyone else who is interested in attending please get in touch!

Skaleby West

At present the plan is to include my layout in the exhibition again. However this rather depends on whether I can make progress with developing the layout. During the first year Skaleby West was displayed as a temporary terminus station with just one adjoining fiddle yard. Last year I managed to throw together a third board to act as a temporary second fiddle yard. As a result Skaleby West became a through station. My plan is to develop this board into a second scenic board. Currently the model is stored in our spare bedroom as we begin to pack up for a house move. We are due to move out at the end of January and will spend six months living in my late Grandad's bungalow prior to moving into our new build property in June or July.

I hope to work on Skaleby West once we get into the bungalow although other modelling plans are bubbling under behind the scenes. Watch this space....