Early Influences - Bekonscot

Family outing to Bekonscot Model Village today. I went there aged 5 on my first school outing, and thought the place was magical. Not much has changed (either at Bekonscot, or my reaction to the place!). Although neither the buildings or the trains are finescale or overly detailled, both ooze charm, wonderfully evocative of 30's - 50's home counties. The automated railway control system they have built is very impressive (although I'd love to see a few Aster live steam main-line locos doing the business there!)

Lovely to see my son have a similar reaction to mine on his first visit. I wonder how much my first visit might have in some small way lead to the railway I now have in my garden?!

Stoneleigh 2010

A cracking day out at the 16mm Association show at Stoneleigh today! The highlight for me was seeing Edward Sholto 'in the metal'. Loads of traders (all seemingly doing good business?), not so many layouts, but a few favourites, including Indian Hill, Nant Mawr, and of course all of the Hunslets on Jack Lane :-)



I managed to keep spending vaguely under control; some nameplates from John Lythgoe for the MMS (after my youngest), some replacement silicone tubing for water fill valves (badly needed), and a bargain 'end of line' 4 wheel coach from I.P.



Shot a bit of video, will post once edited!

Spring!

Well, spring is here and I've been trying to find time to tackle the jungle that is our garden (two loads of clippings to the tip). Had a few steam ups in between the rain, and been thinking about how the line might be extended right around the garden... Will have to see if there's time to tackle that this summer!

Looking forward to the Stoneleigh show this weekend...

Steam in the Snow Vol 2

Some problems here as YouTube & Quicktime seems to have different interpretations of H.264 video frame rate (and hence the video is playing back at half speed compared to the audio & takes twie as long). Anyway, hope it is vaguely enjoyable nonetheless...

More steam in the snow!

Well, after you've built a snowman & thrown snowballs at small children, what else are you going to do?! Video to follow...

Upcoming Model Railway Exhibitions

Here are some dates for upcoming model railway exhibitions in and around North Hampshire... Something to do whilst it's so damn cold in the garden!!!

SOUTHAMPTON MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION 2010

SATURDAY 30th & 31st JANUARY

Alton Model Railway Group FebEx2010

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February 2010

NARROW GAUGE SOUTH WEST 2010

Saturday 20th February 2010

Eastleigh Model Railway Show, incorporating Eurotrack 2010

27th & 28th of February 2010

Romsey and District Railway Modellers Society Anual Exhibition

6th and 7th March 2010

Basingstoke & North Hants Model Railway Society Exhibition

13th and 14th March 2010

It's Christmas!

Had a lovely day with the family (after a busy few days of preparation). A couple of particularly nice presents: a footplate experience at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum waterworks railway (thanks love!), and a copy of 'The Engine Driver's Manual' by Brian Topping, which looks an excellent read!

I hope to get some stock kit(s?) built up over the holiday, watch this space...