Kew 2009

Made it up to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum Live Steam Model Railway Show today, and very enjoyable it was too. Whilst there weren't quite as many exhibitors and I recall in previous years (marquee seemed a bit empty?), all those present were excellent. Brian Caton's Isle of Man layout was fantastic, and nice varied 16mm running on layouts from Kew, Guildford & Bedfordshire. I bought a laser cut matchboard brake/3rd 4 wheel coach kit from Brandbright; the detail / price ratio was irresistable! Should be a nice project for winter evenings when the missus is out!
The only downside seemd to be I missed most of the Kew rotatative engines running; only saw the Easton & Amos, & Dancer's End in steam. Sadly the Hathorn Davey Triple wasn't running at all - I always love the sound & rhythm of that one running!
Nice to see the new 'Wren' loco Thomas Wickstead in steam; I could watch that Hackworth valve gear all day! (and I can neither confirm or deny any runors that I put my name down for a Wrightscale Wren, although with a 2 year waiting list I figure I have some time to develop a 'funding model'). Video to follow...