Another weekend and another show. After Allestree and Sileby last week I headed off, with daughter in tow, to the 12th annual show at Trowell. This is run by the Ilkeston Woodside Model Railway club and is always an enjoyable event.

With 10 layouts, 7 trade stands and a couple of demonstrations the show is a nice size. It can all be seen in an hour, but has plenty to keep people there for a lot longer. It certainly seems popular and there was a good crowd throughout the time I was there. This does provide one issue, the room does get quite cramped, and the amount of people generated a lot of heat inside the room. I was certainly sweating a lot by the time I left. This is only a very minor criticism though.

Amongst the layouts were a couple of well known layouts from the local (and not so local) show circuit. "Aberdeen Kirkhill" has been around for many years and models a large Scotrail servicing depot. Its frosty, winter scenics are superb and there is always plenty of movement. In addition John Huddlestone's tram layout set around "Elstree" studios has been seen at many shows in the local area. This is also an excellent model, and was set at a perfect level for children to view without the need for standing on steps. My two year old daughter certainly appreciated it!

With the Weston-on-Trent show in mind I was on the look out for further layouts to add to this year's roster. The small shunting layout "Tom's Sidings" impressed me. So much detail packed into a small space, and a lovely use of photographs built up to create a 3D back scene. Sadly the operator is not available for this year's Weston show!

Newton East provided a lovely view of the 1950's and 1960's B.R scene. Today it was representing the southern region. The scenics looked superb with an excellent card station building and very nice canal scene added at the front. This layout is a possible for Weston 2014.

The group's own "Fenby Quay" also featured a canal scene with a raised quay in front of the station. This model came to Weston last year, but I never really got to view it properly. It is an excellent model enhanced today by the sound fitted locos, complete with flashing red lights in the steam loco cabs to represent the firebox flicker. The sound fitted City of Truro once again looked fantastic.

N gauge interests were covered by "Bitsand" and "Lagganmoor", both were very nice models with lots of passing trains.

All in all a very nice show once again and congratulations go to the organisers. For me the show was further enhanced by an unexpected incident. Whilst walking around I bumped into someone who has been a regular visitor to the Weston shows. We stopped to chat and during this he told me about his own layout which he had just started constructing. He told me that he had been inspired by my own "Skaleby West" model - stating that my layout showed what could be achieved, in a small space, from off the shelf materials.

Now I am fully aware of Skaleby West's limitations. I do not confess to being an experienced modeller, and I do not believe my skills are comparable to those I see at many shows. But it was very nice, and very humbling to hear someone speak so highly of my model and that they have taken inspiration from my work. A proud moment!

And so the "lighthearted" awards:

Best layout:

3rd: Newton East: A superb 00 gauge model of the 50's and 60's B.R era.

2nd: Fenby Quay: A very close second - great scenics and lots of operational interest.

1st: Tom's Sidings: Such detail in a small space both myself and daughter spent a long time viewing it at close quarters. It just pips Fenby Quay as I went back to this one slightly more.

Best scenic item:

The 3d photo back scene on Tom's Sidings was a clear winner for me.

Best model loco:

Sound and light fitted models on Fenby Quay - not often you see the firebox flicker represented. City of Truro was the pick again for me - that is twice this loco has featured in my "awards" on two different layouts. I think I need to add it to my wish list.

And finally:

The nice surprise:

Kind comments about my layout and the thought that it has inspired someone - a proud and humbling moment.

And the not so good!

One incident on a layout where the uncoupling ramp failed and the operator resorted to picking up the brake van to uncouple by hand. At least use an un-coupling hook!