Railex 2019
Entry posted by wenlock in Railex 2019
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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
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
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!
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
Al doing sterling work shunting at Sherton Abbas
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
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
Pride of place!
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
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