Roadshow Reports

This event was held in the Engine Shed visitor centre next to Highley station on the 16 mile SVR railway. This was the second time that the club has visited the SVR, but my first.

We had a full Roadshow team of 11 or 12 members manning the stand overseen by Roadshow manager Val, who ensured that we all looked smart in our club sweatshirts and that the event ran smoothly.

Our Roadshow layout was 'stationed' between the several steam locos and historic coaches, which includes blue 600 'Gordon' , LMS 8F which spent much of its time in the Middle East, King George V1 coach and a postal coach which was involved in the great train robbery.

As well as running the club locos many of us brought our own renamed and rebuilt engines, at one point I counted 5 Duchesses of various types, the Duchess being one o…

So this time it was the London Festival of railway modelling, at Alexandra Palace, which means it is my local show. Despite the weather being fairly good, it was a freezing show with myself, Andrew and George in coats for most of show, especially on the Sunday. It was so bad it took its toll on our engines who were bit rough Sunday morning.

As is always the case with the BRM shows the crowds were large, meaning it was a very busy show for us. I know from the people I spoke to there were many people very keen on on OOLS. Over the weekend we had many people talk to us about what they wanted and building include people using the system in O gauge, LMS princess coronations and some very different foreign machines. It was very nice have such discussions over the live steam and give helpful…

As always, the first show of the year was the big one – The festival of British railway modelling in Doncaster. A great show for us all since it nicely located in the country it allows a lot of the roadshow team and club members to come. Also, being in Yorkshire meant Maria could do her usual bakes for us to enjoy.

Both the shop and the loco sales did particularly well making. Little wonder giving the amount of members who came to see us after so long without a roadshow. People will have been very much in need of parts and a strong desire for more engines.

One highlight of the weekend was the words Chris has been waiting to hear for many years – “can I please borrow you hammer” from Eric. Poor chris was nearly in tears with laughter.

It was many birthdays among the roadshow members over…

Abingdon is commonly known as the former home of MG Cars, an ancient abbey and the River Thames,

but many of us may not know that it also has a thriving model railway club with its own premises close to the busy A34 dual carriageway. It was an honour for our club to be invited to attend their spring Abingdon show at the college. They also have a further event in Didcot in the autumn, a town that is very familiar with most people interested in railways!

Our roadshow manager Val, liaised with their staff to ensure a smooth running event which included free bacon butties.

For about 2 weeks before the show many road signs in a 10 mile radius were adorned with advertising posters and nearer the time AA direction signs were erected, you begin to get the impression that this is not going to be a small…