Roadshow Reports

Well, back to Doncaster, but quite a different exhibition to February, as I’m sure you all know this is a model-engineering exhibition and like many of these, is three days rather than two. I’m not complaining, but I think I prefer two-day events to three; maybe it’s an age thing, who knows?

Only three of us for set up, but practiced hands like Chris, Eric and myself made light work of it, that’s our story and we’re sticking to it! Nick and George arrived that evening and Richard on Friday morning.

Chris brought with him the new backdrop, pictures below, it looked great and as it’s printed on both sides, with a different message, it gives great flexibility, which was shown this weekend when we were able to move it with minimum fuss. The old backdrop served us well, but the new one has taken us to another level.

Friday tends to be a quiet day as many people are working, just as well as we were quite tight on manning. No such issue on Saturday and Sunday as Dave Wood and Martin Waller came along to help, much appreciated gentlemen. Adrian joined us on Sunday and took his customary position at the front of the layout.

We also had two members Derrek and Darren who brought along two unused locos to run. It’s always a pleasure to smell them as they warm up that first time! Martin Waller also collected his Double Tender Flying

Scotsman

Eric and I spent the weekend on the technical help desk and we were kept very busy as is the case these days.

We ventured at least 100 metres on the second evening for dinner, normally we stay at the hotel, but there was a Pizza Express just down the road, first time I’ve been to one, very nice it was too! In my family I have always been known as a fast eater, my mother always told me to slow down, but I am one of three boys, and he who finished first got the best of the seconds. I was therefore staggered to find that as I had got about one third of the way through my pizza, they’re quite large, George (James) had finished his, I’ve never seen anything like it, we’re thinking of entering him in the Guinness book of records.

It’s Thursday now and tomorrow we’re off to Manchester, hope to see some of you there.

Maurice.