After a busy weekend I have finally managed to settle down to pen / type my thoughts about this year's Stafford Show. After missing last year's event I was very much looking forward to this year's show. Firstly I have to say it did not disappoint. Once again it featured three large halls of layouts in various gauges and a multitude of trade stands. All of this for £9.00 admission - representing very good value in my opinion, especially when combined with free parking and a free bus service to and from the station.

We all know the issues the venue has with car parking and there is little the show organisers can do about this. With another large event on at the same time it was always going to put a strain on the car park, which was hampered by some very wet and boggy areas.

Arriving at 10.45 we did not have to queue outside in the rain which was a blessing. Once inside we visited hall 3 first to beat the crush in the opening room. It also gave us a chance to view the club stand. Nothing to tempt me there though.

There were some great layouts in this hall including Crimson Road and the O gauge shunting layouts Pinkpurse Yard and Chard's Creamery. The stand out layouts in this hall were two larger O gauge layouts, 82G is a fantastic MPD and featured some lovely steam locomotive models - the pick being the Jubilee (can't beat those wonderful locos in my opinion).

Broom Junction was another superb O gauge model with a procession of passing London Midland trains. The only slight criticism would be that the operators seemed more intent on moving a small video camera around the scenic section to film passing trains. Ok, I know it is their layout and they can do with it what they like, but wouldn't it be better to do such filming before or after the show - it does spoil the illusion somewhat when the big hand from the sky appears to pick up or dump a camera onto the layout!

Another layout that caught my eye was the Warley club's N gauge offering "The Ridgeacre branch". This managed to fit an entire operating branch line into a very small space. It was also good to see the layout owner hand over the controller to a youngster who was viewing the action. Great credit to him for that!

In the middle hall there were more great layouts. For me one of the picks of the show was the Scottish based layout "Crinan". As someone who is building a coastal / quayside layout it provided great inspiration. The extended section featuring the river and rail over bridge was superb. The water was especially realistic. This layout almost won my best in show award - but was pipped by some in the first hall.

Hall 1 featured Grantham which has moved on so much since I last viewed it. The GWR layout "Much Murkle" was a brilliant layout, and well lit too. Stackton Tressel provided a more urban scene with plenty of passing trains. It looked great, but a few unfinished areas did detract a little from the view - I think the owners are in the process of installing signals and the connections for these were in clear view.

Without doubt Old Elms Road was the best layout for action. Not only was there a procession of passing Southern and Western region trains, but there was a large operating roadway too. The scenics were superb too and it kept my attention the longest. However the highlight of the show for me was "Freshwater". As someone who loves the Isle of Wight and its railways it was always going to be a favourite of mine. Yes it is undergoing renovation and needs more work, but its operation is a real tribute to the late Fred Shilton. Congratulations must go to the Stafford Railway Circle for their work on this layout. It does capture the feel of the island lines.

All in all a brilliant show. I purchased a few bits from Langley Models for my developing Skaleby Quay layout and a Metcalfe platform kit for the same project. It was great to see the Oxford Rail Adams Radial on sale and I was very tempted - but resisted...just!

Congrats to the organisers - I really enjoyed the event. It is definitely one of the best of the year.

So here are my "light-hearted awards"

BEST LAYOUT:

1 FRESHWATER - as a fan of the Isle of Wight railways it had to be this.

2 OLD ELMS ROAD - constant action and thoroughly entertaining. Was probably the best in show but for my I-O-W bias!

3 CRINAN - a layout that has provided great inspiration for me.

BEST MODEL:

The O gauge model of a Jubilee on 82G.

And the worst:

Shunting manoeuvres on one layout. A train suddenly changing direction without any pause always spoils an illusion in my book. One O gauge layout in hall 2 did this constantly.

The moment to make you smile!

The operator of the "Ridgeacre Branch" handing over the controller to a young viewer and teaching him how to operate the trains. Good on him - it probably made the lad's day.

And finally:

Great to catch up with so many faces. I have tried to post some pictures on this blog but my laptop does not seem to be playing. I have noticed four have uploaded I will add some more tomorrow.