Roadshow Reports

Posted on behalf of Charles Leekham - Roadshow Manager

Driving down the country roads which straggle the beautiful borders of East and West Sussex in glorious sunshine on this special weekend, brought home many past memories of life and times living in the glorious County of Sussex.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity into the planning, the Blue Bell Model Rail Weekend had arrived. There is just something so wonderfully atmospheric when you drive into the station yard of just such an established and well-loved Preserved Railway such as the Blue Bell line. It's probably as much to do with many years of "preserved" grime and coal dust embedded within the buildings and various connecting spaces throughout the station fabric; amplified by the sounds and smells of locos being steamed up for the weekend entertainment ahead.

And what a fun weekend it proved to be for all of us on the OOLSC Road Show Team. We set up in the Engine Shed in the wonderfully named Sheffield Park Station a really prime location with all the main facilities and just about everything you could wish for close on hand, together with a number of interesting layouts including a very substantial "Thornbury" fronted by an old Bristol chum, Nigel Mann.

It's always a very special moment, when a loco passes within a few feet of the layout separated only by a single wall of corrugated cladding, with the sound and vibrations almost transposing the sheer power and size of the prototype with that of the amazing reality of the Live Steam models. It's the imaginative and sensual "dna" which adds to the total enjoyment of this wonderful hobby.

Throughout the weekend the Road Show team entertained several hundred visitors including a number of drivers and firemen rostered for the "biggies". Always a favourite, the "Driver have a go" was soundly conducted by Adrian Campbell in his wholly unique and masterful technique.

We were gratefully augmented by Jimmy Whitehouse for the second time this year and a huge thanks to Chris Oakes, Nick Beard, George James, Michael Marshman, Nigel Hoskison, Andrew Johns and finally myself.

No doubting, this is one Event I really look forward to receiving a return invite from the very efficient Blue Bell Organising Team of Sarah Moss and the two Ian’s. For our troubles we were treated to free train rides over both days spanning the full 11 miles of one of the most beautiful Heritage railways in the South East of England, travelling between Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes, Kingscote and the very conveniently situated East Grinstead Mainline, with our trains being hauled by Standard Class 4MT No 80151, Class 5 No 73082 "Camelot" and the visiting celebrity for the occasion, GWR Hall, 4-6-0 No 6989 "Wightwick Hall".

Finally a message from Sarah Moss. Thanks to everybody for making it such a successful Model Railway weekend. Looking forward to having you back.

Charles Leekam - Roadshow Manager