ColinW

First of all can I thank those people who have commented on here, good or bad, and for the video clips. The criticism's have been passed onto the exhibition manager and the club's committee. We are already looking to rectify some of the problems highlighted, for next year's show. In regards to the quality of layouts, we had two club member's debuting their layouts at the show, these being Southwark Bridge and Hazelby, otherwise all the other layouts would have been seen at an exhibition by the exhibition manager. Colin

The exhibition is now over, and has proved to be successful again. The club would like to thank the layout owners & operators, traders, demonstrators & members of other model railway clubs who were assisting us by stewarding, and hope they have a safe journey home. I will pass on the concerns about the exhibition to the exhibition manager. Colin

It's going to be a long day, today. Collecting barriers this morning, before moving the rest of our equipment this afternoon. To the exhibitors and traders travelling to us today, have a good journey, and we look forward to seeing you this evening. Colin

Yes , I believe one of our club member's providing the loco doctor service will be able to fix dcc loco's Colin

Just to remind people, that as well as the main halls, we have exhibit's upstairs in the Riverside Suite, as well as the public catering. There is a disability lift available for those people in need of it, and we should have stewards available to assist use it. Colin

Work has started in the build up to the show. The small exhibition things we have, have now been brought out of storage, in preparation to be moved to the Angel Centre. Colin

Just 11 days to go until the show. Can I take this opportunity to advise that in recent years we have been very fortunate to have some long queue before the start of the show. Whilst we try and get everyone into the show as quickly as possible, this does include selling tickets to those at the front of the queue, before the show has opened, If people do not wish to queue at the beginning of the show, can I advise to arrive late morning/lunchtime, as the queue should have been reduced significantly by then. Another way people can help is by having the correct admission with them when they arrive, that way we can keep the queue moving quickly. Colin

Unfortunately Invicta Model Rail have had to withdraw from the show because of poor health. The club would like to wish them a speedy recovery. We are happy to have Dingo Servo Mounts as a new trader and Michael Tucker as a demonstrator at the show. To anyone who watched the Great Model Railway Challenge, they will know that the club entered a team into the competition, and we will have some of the layout, Cliffs End, on display (the layout didn't survive, as we didn't have the storage room for it!) and some of the team will be arouind to talk about their experience on the show. Colin

Unfortunately Layouts4U have had to withdraw from the show, following an accident. The club hope they have a quick recovery, and we are currently arranging a replacement for them. Colin

As we are now just 44 days from the exhibition, here is some travel information for anyone coming to the show. TRAVEL BY CAR: For those driving to the show, can you please note that there will be NO road signage for the exhibition itself. We suggest that you follow signs directing you towards Tonbridge railway station, which is 5 minutes from the Angel Centre. As you get closer to the station, the Angel Centre or Sainsburys (which is at the other end of the building) should be on road signs. There are several long and short term pay & display car parks available around the Angel Centre. Please note that there is some roadworks being carried out by the railway station. TRAVEL BY RAIL: For those travelling by train, Tonbridge station is served by trains coming from Ashford, Canterbury, Ramsgate, Margate, Folkestone, Dover, Hastings, Tunbridge Wells, Strood, Maidstone West, Redhill, Orpington, Sevenoaks, London Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge. When you arrive at Tonbridge, leave by the main entrance on top of the road bridge, turn to your left and you should be able to see Sainsburys just beyond the station multi level car park. Walk down the hill towards a mini roundabout. When you get to the roundabout, crossover the road and turn right and carry on to the next mini roundabout. There is a pedestrian crossing in between to crossover the road, use that and when you get to the roundabout, you will see the Sainsburys petrol station, with the Sainsburys right behind it. The Angel Centre it at the far end, and we will have banners up for the exhibition. There are engineering works booked for the Saturday from Chislehurst/Bickley to Orpington/Sevenoaks, so trains are likely to be diverted or running at different times than normal. Colin

Unfortunately, due to continuing electrical problems with Avon Junction, we have had to withdraw it from attending the show in January, so that we can have time to get it working fully. We trust that the Erith club have a successful exhibition. Colin

We have some more attendees for the show. Layouts: Hazelby OO Traders: Hardy's Hobbies Rail-Books Squires Model & Craft Tools Societies: RCTS Spa Valley Railway Tonbridge Model Engineering Society Demonstrators: Jack Chalkley Steve Sharp I will up date when I have more information. Colin

Another great show put on by Adrian and the Uckfield club, with a lot of quality modelling on display. It was good to catch up with some old faces there as well. Colin

I shall be making the short journey from Tonbridge, with the usual people from our club. Adrian looks to have another excellent show lined up again. Colin

I like the way you have done the lockgates. The model is developing a very industrial feel to it now Colin

Looking forward to being at the show with Avon Junction. Anyone going, come and say hello. Colin

You have done some great modelling on this diorama, I especially like the industrial building/warehouse. Will follow this with interest. Colin

As I said, we had the layout up the other week for testing. Here are some pics The 14xx in the picture, is the Hattons version, which I have to say is a superb runner. The pannier awaits its route into the station The view down the river. This is an area of scenery we often get asked about The horse drawn milk cart leaving the station Colin

Another two layouts can be added to the list above. They are Holmill OO Pwllheli P4 I also have a list of traders, and they are as follows Traders Ace Products Carriage and Wagon Models Coastal DCC Dart Castings David Wills DOW Scenics Golden Arrow productions Harrison-Brown Models Invicta Model Rail Ltd Kent Garden Railways KS Laser designs Layouts4u Matthew Cousins (artist & with drive Thomas layout) Mike Turner (Artist) Plus Daughters Railroad Trading Ray Morris Roneo Models Roxey Mouldings Simply Southern South Eastern Finecast Supercast Videolines This will be updated when I am given more news Colin

The layout was put up fully today, so that we could test the rectification work that has been done since Beaconsfield, and the electrical work done ran successfully .Some scenic repairs have also been carried out,although unsure as to how much more can be done before it appears at the Faversham show in 4 weeks time. Colin

Tonbridge MRC will be holding their 38th exhibition in the Angel Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge, TN9 1SF, on Saturday 16th February 2019. The admission prices are:- Adults £6, Children (between 10-16) £1, children under 10 FREE. List of layouts booked to attend is below. Layouts Batcombe OO Bigbury OO Cross Ness OO Ebsworth Street OO Endale South N Freshwater 2mm FS Greenfield Sidings OO Hookhills Viaduct N Klapping (OBB) HO Lakeside HO Lighterman's Yard 2mm FS Little River Falls On30 London SW999 N Melin Llechi 16mm Mulldale O-16.5 Nette Brucke N North of England Line N Plumpton Green P4 Rumbling Bridge OO South Downs Tar O Southwark Bridge N Staple and Ash OO Uden HO Volks Electric Railway OO9 Walworth Road Gauge 1 Webb's Wharf O Wendslydale O-16.5 Whitecross Street OO I will update with list of traders, when I am given them. For more information visit the club's website, www.tonbridgemrc.com or e-mail tonbridgemrc@yahoo.co.uk Colin

Work has continued on the problems, that developed during the day at Beaconsfield. This has included replacing some microswitches on the points, and repairing a fault on the point to the branch that was causing locos to de-rail, as they were entering the station throat area. We are looking to put the layout up again in a couple of weeks time, so that we can have another testing session. Colin

Work has started on rectifying the problems we had on Saturday at Beaconsfield. This includes replacing a point motor on the crossover in the station, after it suffered a mechanical failure!!, and finding two broken wires, one was on one of the frogs on the double slip in the goods yard. A couple more jobs to be done in the next few days, hopefully. Colin

Hi Ian, I will check with our exhibition manager to see if he has your details, and try and persuade him to invite you to Tonbridge. By the way it's good to see Avon Junction in the background of the photo (can a layout photo bomb a picture!!) Colin

We had a good day at the Beaconsfield show yesterday, although there is now a small list of jobs to be done before it goes to Faversham in September . We had a lot of complimentary comments about the layout and no serious problems with running trains, although we think the heat started to get to the layout in the afternoon! Thanks to the Beaconsfield club for their hospitality and for inviting the layout. Colin