Luckily, the Badlesmere Committee made it possible for us to ready the hall on Friday afternoon, so a party of us set out our two layouts and Circuit. Saturday dawned with wind, snow, hail and rain, not to mention a crop of accidents threatening to cut us. However, 17 of us managed to attend, as did 15 friends, including local modellers and villagers.
David Ho. kept an eye on the kitchen; hot drinks being provided by him and others. On the stage Roger H supervised sales, while below, John P kept the Circuit under control with a succession of trains running; Ross S and Doug A kicking off with an AEC railcar and a track inspection mini-bus respectively. Tim had locos chuffing realistically, including an LTC Panier, while his friends were running an SR green electric set. Paul H and Chris used DCC too; with a blue and white railcar, and colourful SECR P tank. Bill and Fred were running GWR tender locos, including a Hall on ‘Toplight stock’.
Sarre, our light railway layout, was operating reasonably well, but Edington had a disappointing start, with electrical problems. Visitors came to it once a shuttle was moving. With diesels ticking over and an occasional GWR whistle from below, Paul H had a good number of people asking questions about the display he uses to advertise GOG throughout the south-east. Geoff R brought an even smaller diorama to show. There was a happy buzz of people chatting throughout the afternoon. A goodly number of us packed away as the storm began to buffet again, so we left while there was reasonable light to negotiate the lanes.
Thanks to all who made the day possible.
RM
