NHY 581

Yep, have to agree. Overall very good standard of traders and layouts and lots of familiar faces to gossip with. My second show since Warners took over and the difference that's made is evident. Not sure about the upstairs hall though...... BUT..... The car park field is already very boggy and I saw at least one driver having issues trying to escape it's clutches this evening. That said, the forecast for the weekend is not as wet..... Rob

All sorted, Jerry. Picked up a copy from Booklaw........along with a couple of other.....cough........"essential reference items " Rob

I've highlighted a few points here. Over the last few years I've seen quite a few locos built from kits. Some of these have been 'professionally built". Some have been outstanding, some have been excellent, others very good but a significant proprtion of all have been diabolical runners with poorly assembled chassis etc, despite them utilising high quality components. Simply put, the contracted professional builder has contrived to produce a sow's ear out of a silk purse but still charged a premium for their highly priced low standards. RTR these days is now arguably surpassing the abilities of all but the "best " of these professionals at considerably less cost than that which they charge to produce an ultimately poorly running model. So what's the point ? Yes, there will still be prototypes for which there are no RTR models and if it's a must have model then, if you lack the ability to do it yourself ( as I do ) then you have no alternative but trust these individuals. But it's not without risk. I'm happy with my lot and derive my modelling satisfaction from building a background to suit, using careful weathering etc to personalise rtr stock and rtp buildings to produce what I want to see. None of this means I don't appreciate a model of whatever built from a kit or that I think my way is the be all and end all. It's simply me taking advantage of what is now available and using it to the best of my abilities to allow me to model my chosen prototype. Rob

Going later today, Ducky. I see you noting bus stuff on that thread. You flapping south ? Rob

So glad the retro look has been maintained and they do seem to be arriving a bit quicker as of late. Seems to be a good spread of content as well. I'm particulary intrigued by Barry Norman's contribution. Hopefully available at the Bristol show. Rob.

Callum is normally the Angel of Death when he points his camera at my layouts.........and yes, he's indeed a very good editor. Rob

Many thanks, Callum. As ever, a great record of a lovely day. Thank you, Rob.

As per my earlier post, Bachmann are handing us a very good start, if not all that we need to build a nice little narrow gauge Cameo layout. I'm very much looking forward to these landing. A good opportunity to try something new. Rob.

Morning all. Anyone going to the Bristol show tomorrow ? Rob

BRING AND BUY Evening all, An update for those whose items sold in the Bring and Buy. All being well, I'm hoping we can start contacting you over the coming weekend and make arrangements to send over the monies we owe you. Stand by to stand by. Rob.

A shoal of these won't look out of plaice on A Cod to Bream. Rob.

Morning all. Well, with the dust settling on SWAG for this year, I'm hoping that normal service can be resumed shortly. Ewe is out at ExmoorRail on Saturday June 1st so a couple of jobs to do on that. However, main focus is now on getting Project W progressing. Even by my standards, progress to date has been at a molluscesque pace. Though some building has taken place, it is little more than a bare board with track down and wired at present. Mindful that I will be setting this up for Railwells on August 2nd, I really must get going on this. This is where we are currently. J15 was being tested but this will be pre WW1 SE&CR. Fiddle yard is going to be at the other end. Goods yard at the camera end. Water feature to the right will be, as per EWE, at the front of the layout. The game is ahoof.

Wake Me Up When September Ends-Green Day..

Tidy.

Morning all, A date for your diaries. I can confirm that SWAG'25 will be held on..... SUNDAY 6TH APRIL 2025. Please note the shift to the beginning of the month, made for a variety of reasons. Hall is booked and deposit paid. ☆The fact that we can go ahead and do this is entirely due to the success of this year's jolly modellers day out and in particular, the generous donations made to the cause by both our visitors and a few very kind souls, who despite being unable to attend have still contributed.☆ On behalf of all who are involved in SWAG... I thank you. Rob

See you there !

Evening all, A quick note. I hope to announce the date of next year's SWAG by the end of the week. I thank you.

Thank you for posting these and all the images to come, Jamie. The time and effort you put into creating such a wonderful record of the day is very much appreciated by all us. Rob.

Evening all, Well, that seemed to go rather well. My thanks to all who came along today. My impression is that it was busier than last year and I spoke to quite a few people for whom it was their first and hopefully not their last visit to SWAG. Thank you to all our exhibitors who generously brought their layouts along, giving so freely of their time and finances and of our members who demonstrated their dark arts across many modelling activities. And a huge thank you to @Godfrey Glyn, @Graham_Muz and @peter220950 who provided the catering and bring and buy to their usual exemplary standards. Not forgetting Aidan @Culmhead who despite being unable to attend today ( something about being on Portugal !) was fully involved in fine tuning the bring and buy. Special thanks to Nadine, aka Mrs @mozzer models who helped out hugely in the catering department. No mention of the catering department is complete without thanking John Farmer @Re6/6 who, aided and abetted by @Brian Harrap did such a splendid job of ferrying the essential pasties which once again were sourced by our much missed on the day Tim @Captain Kernow So, Can we do this again next year ? Well the sums aren't fully done yet but first impressions are that it's a resounding YES! One reason is the truly astounding amount donated by the visitors today which has provided a rather substantial leg up for next year. THANK YOU.

Mornibg all, Doors are about to open..........

Morning ( here) John. Thank you. Rest assured, we'll be updating the thread for those unable to get to us today. The Sheep is up and like most of our exhibitors, will be leaving shortly. Rob

I had those once. Damn painful. Couldn't ride the bike for a couple of weeks.

Morning all, Well, nearly there. To quote Moltke the Elder, “No plan of operations extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main strength" Or, There's still chance for Cack, Lord of Chaos and Mayhem to visit himself upon us but pretty much all that needs doing at this stage is done. I know that testing of layouts has/is being carried out...... The ablutions are being visited......( yes, it's THAT time of year..) Journeys are being commenced.......... And demos are being finalised....... A couple of reminders then........ Doors open at 10am tomorrow morning. Please park in the local area with due consideration for local residents. Bring and buy purchase is by way of cash or cards. Catering should be the same if we can get the second card machine up and running in time but in case of drama, best have a cash reserve. Traders again are all cash and card. Remember......entry is free but a donation at your discretion will go towards ensuring we ARE able to do this again next year. There will be suitable receptacles available. So finally, to anyone and everyone who is making the journey to see us, we look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a safe and enjoyable journey. Right, I'm off to have my wool done.

Great. I'm after 2x M39. LMS Horizontal Whistle.

Quite right.