billywhizz

Evening all. 1st memories of a model shop for me would be the one near Hull Paragon station in the early 1980’s we were always taken in there as a treat on the bi-monthly shopping trip from the wilds of the East Riding. I remember the shop had centre island of glass fronted cabinets and shelves to the ceiling. There was also a layout in the toy section of either Debenhams or Binns next to the cafe on the 1st floor. In the mid eighties we moved to Leicester where I discovered The Signal Box in the basement of an old fashioned department store in Wigston. Here I got to know Malcom Godfrey (his main shop was in Coalville) and continued to be a regular customer when he moved the shop to Oadby. Other shops in Leicester I found after we moved was Norcol Models on Braunstone Gate and a shop on Aylestone Road (both sadly long gone along with Apex Craft) Malcolm combined both shops together and relocated the business to Anstey. Sadly Malcom passed away several years ago but the shop is now in the hands of Martin and his team. The shop is going from strength to strength and long may it do so. Bill.

Looking forward to watching this layout develop. There is already an EM version based on the late eighties under construction and I am currently building GQS based in autumn 1985 in P4. (Very much a long term project) The track plan and platform configuration was very different in fifties to mid sixties compared to 1985 and different again compared to post 1986

The HST services from GQS (normally at 0800 and 0830) were Kings Cross services that ran via Edinburgh. Cheers. Bill.

A large logo 47/7 would be great as well to run with Oxford Rail blue / grey MK3’s!

As if we would do that Andy! Looking forward to catching up with you at Stafford. Regards, Bill.

Huge thanks to everyone who came along and supported the 2nd annual DEFine modellers day. The day was a great success and it was fantastic to see everyone engaging with the layout operators and demos. Regards, Bill.

A quick reminder that the DEFine modellers day is this coming Saturday. Details on the link in the posts above. See you all there! Bill.

**Bump** Reminder time. THE 2018 DEFine modellers day takes place next Saturday (20th Jan) Regards, Bill.

There was talk of building a new shed to the south of the line between the Grand Union canal bridge and the new bridge over the MML. Does anyone if that is still the case? Bill.