Jump to content
 
wenlock

Entry posted by wenlock in Railex 2019

2,474 views

 Share

I spent the weekend exhibiting Sherton Abbas at Railex  http://www.railex.org.uk/ accompanied by Al (Barry Ten), to whom I'm indebted for all his hard work setting up the layout and for his ninja like operating skills🙂

 

We arrived in Aylesbury around  6.30pm and took about 90 minutes or so to unload the hire van and get the layout set up in the exhibition hall.  Everyone was very helpful and welcoming, particularly David Lane (David Bigcheeseplant) who's the exhibition manager.  

 

Setting up   Image courtesy of Kevin Wood

IMG_2638a.jpg.c8cfed8f427bf296f2bc169a82831725.jpg

 

Once the layout was set up we headed for the "bright lights" of Aylesbury and enjoyed an excellent curry at the Bengal Blue Indian restaurant. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186222-d2546313-Reviews-Bengal_Blue-Aylesbury_Aylesbury_Vale_Buckinghamshire_England.html

 

This was followed by a couple of pints in the Bricklayers Arms  http://www.bricklayersarmsaylesbury.co.uk/ a particular treat for a London boy who's been living in Wales for the last 30 years!

 

London Pride

DSC_2431a.jpg.32e639bbaffb9d5eb8a103cb70742c27.jpg

 

On the stroll back to the accommodation we crossed the railway line and I took this picture, I've no idea what the stock is, but it most certainly isn't Edwardian Great Western!:-)

 

21st Century Railway!

DSC_2433a.jpg.c0e5759c369b3b0e83b7ee71c89dca25.jpg

 

The following morning the exhibition started at 10.00 am, so once fuelled by a fry up and coffee we arrived back in the hall for 9.00 am.  The exhibition was very well attended, but because of the well managed layout of the hall it never felt cramped or congested.

 

Exhibition in full Swing   photo courtesy Anthony Mead

IMG_2640a.jpg.2d48403822a1cdc897c012a499fc346b.jpg

 

Al doing sterling work shunting at Sherton Abbas

IMG_2627a.jpg.dab964b1c6ac89470e7980017bafd546.jpg

 

David Lane had arranged a social event for the Saturday evening, so we were taken by vintage bus to the Hop Pole pub  https://www.aylesburybrewhouse.co.uk/thehoppoleaylesbury  which has a remarkable range of real ales on tap, my particular favourite was a beer called Gravitas, definitely recommended!  A convivial time was had by all, chatting and eating pizza:-)

 

I arrived back in the hall on Sunday morning to make some minor adjustments to the level of the layout, on Saturday we’d experienced some free running wagons catching up with the locomotive after uncoupling and I was keen to rectify this!  Some judicious packing was required under a couple of legs which seemed to clear the problem:-)

 

During Sunday afternoon David brought his rather lovely Lee Marsh 517 along which ran beautifully, though for some reason he declined my offer to drill its buffer beam and fit a wire suitable to couple with my Spratt and Winkle fitted stock!

 

Lee Marsh 517 class

IMG_2630a.jpg.e3448e347abeceef0467c3a31fe53907.jpg

 

Towards the end of Sunday afternoon I was surprised, though delighted to be told that Sherton Abbas had been voted “Best Layout” at the show. This was particularly gratifying on account of the many excellent layouts on display at the exhibition! 

 

I was presented a rather nice plaque by Jerry Clifford which is now in pride of place on the front of the layout🙂

 

Photo curtesy of Anthony Mead

IMG_2631a.jpg.d9d0a383afbae4a5888af278dc228cf3.jpg

 

Pride of place!

IMG_2634a.jpg.d26076951e4df48f0fce30047d4b2a67.jpg

 

It was a thoroughly enjoyable, though tiring weekend, my knees are only just recovering!  It was great meeting the many RMweb members who have commented on this blog over the last few years, thanks to all of you for your encouragement.

 

Finally thanks must go to the Risborough & District Model Railway Club and David Lane in particular for holding such an excellent event.

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by wenlock
Restore pictures

  • Like 27
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
  • Friendly/supportive 1
 Share

36 Comments

Recommended Comments



  • RMweb Premium
Compound2632
  • RMweb Premium

21st century railway? 1990s, more like...

 

The layout looked absolutely superb.

Link to comment
Tricky

Well deserved Dave, it’s even more exquisite in the flesh. Photos don’t do this masterpieces justice. What’s next we all wonder...?

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
gwrrob
  • RMweb Gold

I just knew it would be excellent and I wasn't disappointed. It runs as good as it looks too. The height of the layout appeals to me. Finally it was a pleasure to meet you Dave and Al. I'll have to make the effort to come to Telford to see it again.

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
gwrrob
  • RMweb Gold
1 minute ago, bgman said:

I'm sayin' nowt !  ;)

 

G

 

That's a first.:jester:

  • Funny 3
Link to comment
Ian Smith

Dave,

To finally see Sherton Abbas in the flesh was a real pleasure.  Also to be able to put a face to a name was good too! :rolleyes:  The award for "Best Layout" is truly deserved (especially as the competition was exceedingly high).  As others have remarked, the layout looks better in real life than it does on the computer monitor.  Congratulations.

Ian

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
  • RMweb Gold
3 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

21st century railway? 1990s, more like...

 

Lol! I tend to loose interest after about 1920:D

3 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

 

The layout looked absolutely superb.

Thanks Stephen!

 

3 hours ago, Tricky said:

Well deserved Dave, it’s even more exquisite in the flesh. Photos don’t do this masterpieces justice. What’s next we all wonder...?

Thanks Rich, Midland in Bristol still got my vote though!

 

3 hours ago, bgman said:

I'm sayin' nowt !  ;)

 

G

Well that’s never happened before lol!  Really good to see you again and looking forward to seeing what springs forth from the new modelling room!

 

3 hours ago, gwrrob said:

I just knew it would be excellent and I wasn't disappointed. It runs as good as it looks too. The height of the layout appeals to me. Finally it was a pleasure to meet you Dave and Al. I'll have to make the effort to come to Telford to see it again.

Thanks Robin, glad it didn’t disappoint and looking forward to seeing you at Telford :)

 

3 hours ago, Regularity said:

I took a small number of shots.

102E861E-1D71-44A4-A37E-3D3FA7FD3565.jpeg.397a227aae9c5d2b393dfe6c6ad87008.jpeg

C8E585A5-8A47-458C-B890-CF8311A262D5.jpeg.bda2380747bb91a7ecd1440f8daaefbb.jpeg

2838023C-B55B-4922-92A3-52EB8EDA49E6.jpeg.4500ce8586bb22fb64219126c76341c4.jpeg

989131FE-52FB-4058-8BBE-897829BAB5CD.jpeg.7eed9cb659d5ce1dcc41a50dfcc0483b.jpeg

C4EB37C4-572B-4039-9B6F-D946C591B785.jpeg.f617d985b1ba9a9a03ad4e8793807580.jpeg

 

Thanks Simon, good to see you and talk at the show:)

 

2 hours ago, gwrrob said:

I do like this shot that I took on Sunday.

 

482509672_DSCN5485(2)sepia.jpg.71819a17d1f4c7f4b207ff251dc4add9.jpg

 

So do I!:D

 

1 hour ago, Ian Smith said:

Dave,

To finally see Sherton Abbas in the flesh was a real pleasure.  Also to be able to put a face to a name was good too! :rolleyes:  The award for "Best Layout" is truly deserved (especially as the competition was exceedingly high).  As others have remarked, the layout looks better in real life than it does on the computer monitor.  Congratulations.

Ian

Thanks Ian! Good to finally meet up with you and ver much looking forward to seeing Modbury in the flesh!

  • Friendly/supportive 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
Regularity
  • RMweb Gold
2 hours ago, Ian Smith said:

Dave,

To finally see Sherton Abbas in the flesh was a real pleasure.  Also to be able to put a face to a name was good too! :rolleyes:  The award for "Best Layout" is truly deserved (especially as the competition was exceedingly high).  

I agree: exceptionally good show, but even so, Sherton Abbas was easily the best there.

Quote

As others have remarked, the layout looks better in real life than it does on the computer monitor.  Congratulations.

And it looks pretty good on the monitor, too!

 

16 minutes ago, wenlock said:

Good to finally meet up with you and very much looking forward to seeing Modbury in the flesh!

As I forewarned you, Dave, you will find Modbury in the flesh even better than on the monitor.

Edited by Regularity
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Premium
Dave John
  • RMweb Premium

Well,  Sherton Abbas deserves all the accolades it gets. I have really enjoyed watching it develop and I have learned a lot from the blogs illustrating the techniques involved. 

 

I know some folk don't like the blog format, each to their own, but to me it is an ideal medium for exchanging ideas and techniques, long may yours continue. The engine shed the other side of the bridge perhaps ? 

 

One of these days I will be in the right place to see it first hand. 

 

 

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

Looks like you had a great time Dave, and congratulations on the prize and plaque. You'll have to make room for more I think!

 

Al's 'ninja operating skills' sound interesting. Hopefully no lightning fast moves :D

Link to comment
David Bigcheeseplant

If you skip to 6 minutes in to this film then you will pass under the bridge you where standing on and arrive at Aylesbury station in 1910. the GWR line comes in from the left and you will see Edwardian GWR trains and even a steam railmotor or autotrailer at the end of the film.

 

David

  • Like 2
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
  • RMweb Gold
7 hours ago, Dave John said:

Well,  Sherton Abbas deserves all the accolades it gets. I have really enjoyed watching it develop and I have learned a lot from the blogs illustrating the techniques involved. 

 

Thanks Dave!

 

7 hours ago, Dave John said:

The engine shed the other side of the bridge perhaps ? 

 

 

“The engine shed on the other side of the bridge” is a distinct possibility, plans have been doodled!:)

 

7 hours ago, Dave John said:

 

One of these days I will be in the right place to see it first hand. 

 

Ive had invites to exhibitions in Derby and the Wirral, so Im working my way North, nothing in Scotland though!

 

49 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

Looks like you had a great time Dave, and congratulations on the prize and plaque. You'll have to make room for more I think!

 

Thanks Mikkel!

 

50 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

 

Al's 'ninja operating skills' sound interesting. Hopefully no lightning fast moves :D

Lol! No the “ninja skills” refer to Al’s unerring ability to place a train exactly on top of an uncoupling magnet every time!  I fitted the wretched things and still forget where they are:rolleyes:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
  • RMweb Gold
4 minutes ago, David Bigcheeseplant said:

If you skip to 6 minutes in to this film then you will pass under the bridge you where standing on and arrive at Aylesbury station in 1910. the GWR line comes in from the left and you will see Edwardian GWR trains and even a steam railmotor or autotrailer at the end of the film.

 

David

What a splendid piece of film!  How I’d love to stand on that bridge and see that scene:)

 

Thanks for posting David!

Link to comment
  • RMweb Premium
Compound2632
  • RMweb Premium

These rare bits of early film are invaluable as they catch things that escaped the still photographers - I'm going to have to run through that several times to look at all the rolling stock in the sidings at Aylesbury. But wehey! A Robinson atlantic on an up express!

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
  • RMweb Gold
38 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

These rare bits of early film are invaluable as they catch things that escaped the still photographers - I'm going to have to run through that several times to look at all the rolling stock in the sidings at Aylesbury. But wehey! A Robinson atlantic on an up express!

Some quite splendid telegraph poles on display at around 5 mins 50 seconds!  

 

The whole film shows why the area is called "Leafy Bucks", so many beautiful trees either side of the line:)

 

 

Link to comment
One32

Congratulations, in that company "Best in Show" is a real accolade. 

Thank you for all the inspiration this blog has given and the clear explanations of your techniques. It's pure Reithian...Inform, educate and entertain!

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
  • RMweb Gold
4 hours ago, David Bigcheeseplant said:

Part 1 from Baker street.

I spent my childhood in West Harrow so Metroland was my old stamping ground!  Wonderful to see Pinner looking so rural, most enjoyable :-)

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
wenlock
  • RMweb Gold
3 hours ago, One32 said:

Congratulations, in that company "Best in Show" is a real accolade. 

Thanks! 

 

3 hours ago, One32 said:

Thank you for all the inspiration this blog has given and the clear explanations of your techniques. It's pure Reithian...Inform, educate and entertain!

I'm glad you are enjoying the Blog, quite what Baron Reith would make of it though is another story:-)

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
Barry Ten
  • RMweb Gold
On 29/05/2019 at 16:48, wenlock said:

 

 

I'm glad you are enjoying the Blog, quite what Baron Reith would make of it though is another story:-)

 

 

Lord-Reith.jpg.37e8f22d71d398ab3345e18edd2015db.jpg

 

"It's well banging, innit bruv," says TV's Lord Reith.

  • Funny 5
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
bcnPete

bcnPete 4,944

Posted (edited)

  • RMweb Gold

It was great to meet you Dave and the layout looks so good :good:

 

An excellent curry and a good pint (or two) seems to have made for a perfect weekend...

Edited by bcnPete
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...