Andy R

I didnt know Tony either when I made contact via email; as you see I live in NZ. Eventually Tony and I corresponded and I arranged the first visit a couple of years ago when the layout had only just got into its new shed home and was in several pieces and some parts rather damaged. But that first time we had several fun hours playing with Leighton Buzzard and just talking through some of the outstanding ways Peter approached his modelling and his craftsmanship. It was truly amazing.

Then last year I made contact and visited again for a 1/2 day only, but this time the layout is functioning and we were able to follow the timetable- which is a beast and requires a lot of concentration and knowledge of how the layout works -as I say in my layout comments, it took several hours to do about 8-10 movements! Oh what fun and given the age of the thing it is remarkable it still works well. Tony has put a lot of work into restoration of course along with some dedicated friends helping.

Tony attends a lot of exhibitions and if you googled him you may well get a contact email. He lives south of Doncaster in a village called Bawtry, which may, or may not, be near you?

Anyway, I know Tony would be comfortable in engaging in conversation with you and maybe arranging a visit. It worked for me...

Hope you liked my own, meagre 'nod to Buckingham' called Hawkinsfield Junction.

regards, Andy R

Hi  Richard, I have just come across this blog after following a comment from the layouts section. I find the read very interesting because like you, my own layout is very heavily influenced by the all-time classic Buckingham. And, I am not sure whether you have ever seen it but even though I live in NZ I have actually seen and operated it in its new home with its new owner, the wonderful Tony Gee, twice over the last few years on my visits to the UK. It was...sensational and such a joy.

I have written about the experience and the inspiration Peter Denny has provided for my layout Hawkinsfield Junction as a layout topic in the layout section. If you have some spare time pop in and have a look.

I look forward to following your layouts construction as it evolves further.

regards, Andy R