Erith MR Show 27-28 January 2024

We had the full team (David L, Tim, me, Bill and Martin) out on both days as we took the  layout to the Longfield show. We were tucked away in a corner next to the EKOGG stand  which was manned by Roger who gave out EKOGG leaflets and told everybody what a  wonderful bunch we all are at Badlesmere. 

As we were setting up the layout, we were approached by the organiser of the Maidstone  show back in December who said that so many people had enjoyed the layout there and  wanted to see it again as it developed that would we be prepared to take it back to  Maidstone next year. 

Once we had set up the layout, we proceeded to operate it along the lines established at  the Maidstone show; that is, two passenger trains and their locomotives and a station pilot  on the upper level at all times, together with a station pilot. This gives us continual  movement and together with the controlled slow running and sound of whistles and brakes  etc afforded by DCC ensures maximum interest for the viewing public. 

We were also able to operate the track nearest the dockside (closest to the spectators) on  the lower level and here Martin came into his own. Having fitted his Class 03 diesel with a  Bluetooth chip Martin was able to run it from his tablet from the front of the layout. Then as  any young child came in view Martin would offer them the opportunity to drive his diesel up  and down. This proved to be extremely popular with both child and parent. All the children seemed to be very comfortable with operating the tablet and I suspect some of them even taught Martin a thing or two.

Saturday was busier than Sunday and at times we had quite a crowd in our little corner.  Our use of copper clad sleepers again gave rise to a lot of questions as indeed did the  location of the prototype. Overall, the layout ran very well although we did have an  intermittent short from time to time. David L is to try and track this shorting problem down  although we managed to operate the layout pretty well despite it. As we discovered at Maidstone, we really do need to have some form of barrier to keep  people back from the layout as they do tend put their hands on it while looking at it and  talking to us. Anyway, another enjoyable couple of days of exhibiting QCD and apart from the invitation  to take it back to Maidstone we also received an invitation to this year’s Chatham show in  July. Chris

Posted in
Focus on vans
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
10.30 - 2.30
Christmas Meal
Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
12.00-2.00
Queen Charlotte Dock exhibited
Saturday, December 28th, 2024 - Sunday, December 29th, 2024
10.00 - 5.00
Focus on Christmas presents or model projects
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025
10.30 - 2.30

See more in the diary.

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