Liam

But it wasn’t just that, it was what the two operators said afterwards which is the real issue.

Likewise @ianmianmianm, my view is that you’ve witnessed an awful thing and I think you handled the situation extremely diligently and professionally. I think it’s fair to say that there isn’t much diversity in our hobby. My mind is drawn to The Model Railway Club, who have a central London clubroom and their website says that visitors are welcome. I know Warley MRC also host open days occasionally at their clubroom. If clubs who do this sort of stuff were to get the local press to do a press release, perhaps this could be a way of encouraging a more diverse group into the hobby?

That’s a superb layout Rob! I do admire EM gauge layouts, but I don’t believe I have the patience to re-gauge all the necessary rolling stock!

Pre-ordered my E87061 from Kernow the other evening. I’m optimistic that it can be run on a layout centred around a wagon works just outside Swindon, but if that fails then I don’t regret my order as it’s a lovely model at an astonishingly low price.

The Barnstaple and District Model Railway Club will be holding the Barnstaple Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday 27th July in Christ Church, Bear Street, Barnstaple. There will be at least 12 layouts on display, alongside trade stands, demonstrations, society displays and refreshments. For contact details please visit: https://barnstaplemrc.weebly.com

I attended the show on Saturday as a punter (I did feel £19 was a tad steep in comparison to GETS but there was a lot more variety here than at GETS) but I also helped out a bit with Dagnell End. It isn’t Warley and is noticeably smaller and more compact than Warley (at least in terms of the model railways), but to me it had the atmosphere of a medium sized show with the addition of the manufacturers and publishers. Next to us at Dagnell End was Beckwick, a Southern Region layout by the Beckenham and West Wickham Model Railway Club. I got chatting to their members which included some of the members’ sons, and one of the operators told me that the lads get involved in all sorts of modelling jobs on the layouts. With that sort of setup there is clearly a future for the hobby. I also briefly chatted to Pete Waterman and witnessed him receive his Guinness World Records certificate - at one point he seemed quite emotional, but he was clearly overjoyed with his achievement. But what struck me most about this show more than others I’ve attended recently is that the passion for the hobby seemed a lot more noticeable; from the crowds gathered around Making Tracks to really friendly operators and a real sense of pride in the hobby and the creations therein, there seemed to be a really positive atmosphere at the show yesterday which I haven’t felt for a while. I’m seriously thinking of attending Beckenham’s show in October after the crew I spoke to were so engaging. All in all, a good show!

All new suggestions have been added to the guide!

Been over two years since I started this guide! I think the guide needs updating, as sadly we have lost a few of the hostelries that featured, such as the Great Western by Exeter St David’s. But perhaps you’ve come across a few new additions while on your rail travels?

The track and baseboard are currently dismantled, pending being put back in position. But as @The Johnster alluded to, the baseboards aren’t the best policy and I fear some grease from one of the screws may have stained the carpet! I’m wondering if someone can recommend a mat that I can put the track on instead? A fairly thick one from somewhere like The Range.

Never really read this thread until now. Glad I’m not too late to the party though, these photos and works are stunning!

The page headed ‘The Cotswolds’ sets out exactly what sort of buyer they’re after - not many estate agent information booklets tell you about the nearest hunts and polo clubs! And of course details on which independent schools to send the children to, as Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham certainly won’t do…

This is terrible news. In some cases it is natural to speculate on the hows and whys, but our first thoughts must be with the very talented people who are losing their jobs.

Just an update to say that I managed to get everything working OK, as demonstrated by my 153 running. 🙂