Just to complete the tale of the day - must have been sleepy when I wrote the previous post - I was surprised and disappointed to come away without any purchase!
I wanted some 2mm square files for use in track making. Squires said that I was at the wrong show - all the miniature files had gone to a different show on the same day. So I shall have to order by dog-and-bone.
I wanted some paints for Peter's Cl37/4. Martin had provided some Vallejo colours/references and I thought that we were going to be lucky as one stand had Vallejo paints on display... oh no, the ones which we wanted were in the model colour range and the trader had brought the military paint range (to a railway show?). Martin had provided also some references for Railfreight grey - easy thought I, try Roxey Mouldings! Yes said Dave, we have BR diesel colours, for green diesels and for blue diesels.... nothing for later liveries!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter had more luck - after an interesting converation with Peter Clark he bought a Cl 158. Now this kit requires 2'8" disc wheels with 3/16" axles for the power bogie.... current price is around £12.50 per axle from Slaters and the kit needs eight axles (four bogies). Even with my abacus that makes £100.00 just for the wheels. Ho,humm, so we bought two axle sets with 3/16" axles for £25 and three packs of 2'8" disc wheels for coaches/wagons at around £28 for the remaining three bogies. OK, we shall have to provide replacement bearings for the non-powered bogies.... I cannot see twelve bearings costing £50.