For me it was a little HOn9 MPD layout in the Nov '73 MRC. it was by Nigel Adams and it sparked off my railway modelling days. It had everything to me, aged 11. Industrial, run down, grimy and clever use of Airfix engine sheds. Best bit was it was in a space less than a square yard, about all the space I could aspire to at 11. It's memory stayed with me for years. it wasn't even my magazine copy it was my brother's. My funds at that time would never stretch to 35p or whatever the magazine cost then. Not with Spangles and sugar mice to buy.
Strangely it was also responsible for bringing me back into Railway Modelling as an adult 30-odd years later when I discovered a bound copy of the entire years magazines for 1973 on the second hand shelf at Midland Counties Publishers. Flicking through, my eyes alighted on the very article and the old flame was re-kindled.
Thank you Nigel Adams. my obsession is your fault.
I recall now that there was also the Rawnook & Holme branch, in September MRC of the same year, though I can't recall the builder's name . I'm off to go look. It had L&YR in spadefulls.
A couple of years later, '75 I think, During a family holiday in the area I made my first visit to Pendon. The rest as they say, is history.
Kind regards,
Anthony