Len Cattley
Western Thunderer
Hi Dan, I did see you at the show but you were busy talking to Eileens Emporium 
RAILEX 2017 (Aylesbury)
- Thread starter david bigcheeseplant
- Start date
Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
Hi Dan, I did see you at the show but you were busy talking to Eileens Emporium
That's a shame Len. Better luck at Warminster or Telford.
Regards
Dan
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
In the absence of other photos here's a selection of mine. I make no apologies for these being, variously, a bit out of focus/not from an ideal viewing position/camera shake/dodgy exposure. They were all taken in a half hour period before I left to go home on a not very good camera, all hand held and without flash and on the highest speed setting, so there was no attempt to produce artistic images - just to have a record of the layouts for all those who were not there. (Added to which the b****y trains kept moving). These photos will also be spread across a few postings and will have my personal recollections. It's true to say, though, that there was not a bad layout among them. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day - how you keep the quality so high year after year I do not know, Dave, but you do so and I congratulate you and your colleagues on making this the "must go to" show (apart, for me, the specialist 7mm shows).
Thank you for your time and considerable effort. It is well worth while and truly appreciated. Perhaps you'll pass our appreciation on to everyone involved.
So, to start with:
Horfield 1955-1961. A OO layout with great entertainment value - and probably the simplest track plan at the exhibition, representing as it did a 4-track main line with no pointwork. However, it displayed a succession of trains through time, ending the sequence with the beginning of dieselisation. The trains included a truly impressive mineral of about 70 wagons and a GWR 84XX banker (which, of course, I failed to photograph!)
Next was Westcliff. There were a number of layouts this year with a seaside/river/water theme which always adds a considerable measure of interest. This was one of them, and I'm not making any judgement about which was best - they were all outstanding and operated supremely well. This one is in EM and based on West Bay in Dorset, with an allowance for artistic interpretation. The cameos on this layout were superb, and I've included one in this series.
That's all for the moment, at least until I get this glass of red inside me. I'll try for a few more shortly.
Brian
Thank you for your time and considerable effort. It is well worth while and truly appreciated. Perhaps you'll pass our appreciation on to everyone involved.
So, to start with:
Horfield 1955-1961. A OO layout with great entertainment value - and probably the simplest track plan at the exhibition, representing as it did a 4-track main line with no pointwork. However, it displayed a succession of trains through time, ending the sequence with the beginning of dieselisation. The trains included a truly impressive mineral of about 70 wagons and a GWR 84XX banker (which, of course, I failed to photograph!)
Next was Westcliff. There were a number of layouts this year with a seaside/river/water theme which always adds a considerable measure of interest. This was one of them, and I'm not making any judgement about which was best - they were all outstanding and operated supremely well. This one is in EM and based on West Bay in Dorset, with an allowance for artistic interpretation. The cameos on this layout were superb, and I've included one in this series.
That's all for the moment, at least until I get this glass of red inside me. I'll try for a few more shortly.
Brian
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Continuing from my previous missive (or, perhaps that should now be mishiv). I was once advised that if a glass of red wine does you good, then two glasses must do you twice as good. So three......
This is Devil's Bridge. Really well observed observed, (look at the rhododendrons) and the viewing of the layout is through a gap in the embankment. Small but beautifully formed.
Next was Kirkmellington in EM. This is a Scottish Colliery layout. Judge for yourself, but as a small colliery layout it convinced me!
Then, Sidmouth. A lovely sunny summer day and another seaside town in P4. This is not an extensive layout but offers considerable operating options. There are some lovely cameos - The gardens were attractive. I particularly like the brake coach parked in a siding, waiting for the through train to London (perhaps).
More yet to come!
B
This is Devil's Bridge. Really well observed observed, (look at the rhododendrons) and the viewing of the layout is through a gap in the embankment. Small but beautifully formed.
Next was Kirkmellington in EM. This is a Scottish Colliery layout. Judge for yourself, but as a small colliery layout it convinced me!
Then, Sidmouth. A lovely sunny summer day and another seaside town in P4. This is not an extensive layout but offers considerable operating options. There are some lovely cameos - The gardens were attractive. I particularly like the brake coach parked in a siding, waiting for the through train to London (perhaps).
More yet to come!
B
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
My records are incomplete here, but I believe this to be William Smith's Wharf in 2mm. This is another "small but perfectly formed". I have only one photo, and here it is.
This was another very small but wonderfully evocative layout - those who know York in steam days will see Leeman Road, York, and will, I'm sure, agree. This layout is in P4.
Then there was Hallam Town. Only a couple of pictures, as Pete has some beauties which have already appeared.
I was really impressed by Fence Houses in 2mm. This was really "railways in the landscape". North Eastern Railway, a lovely viaduct. What's not to like?
Finally, for this posting, is "Boot" on the 3ft gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway when in use as an iron ore railway. The model is in 3/4 inch gauge.
....and still more loveliness to follow.....
B
This was another very small but wonderfully evocative layout - those who know York in steam days will see Leeman Road, York, and will, I'm sure, agree. This layout is in P4.
Then there was Hallam Town. Only a couple of pictures, as Pete has some beauties which have already appeared.
I was really impressed by Fence Houses in 2mm. This was really "railways in the landscape". North Eastern Railway, a lovely viaduct. What's not to like?
Finally, for this posting, is "Boot" on the 3ft gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway when in use as an iron ore railway. The model is in 3/4 inch gauge.
....and still more loveliness to follow.....
B
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Next was Denton Brook, which we know and love from these pages. Surely no more need be said.
Next, Tollesbury Quay in 7mm O Gauge. This was a lovely, quirky layout. The tide truly went in and out and you'll see the bucket containing the sea in one of the shots. Again, beautifully observed. I guess the operator was the owner, Martin Stringer. Clearly a man with a sense of humour, with his apology for forgetting the sky....... Look at the wonderful detail in the sail lofts.
And another seaside layout. This is Harlyn Pier in OFS, based "not far from Padstow". Another layout with some nice cameos, my favourite of which is the Rover car, duplicating one I owned, about 50 years ago. Except mine was in grey. And I love the kids playing in the mud. But you'll have to wait because I can't upload any more files on this one.
B
Next, Tollesbury Quay in 7mm O Gauge. This was a lovely, quirky layout. The tide truly went in and out and you'll see the bucket containing the sea in one of the shots. Again, beautifully observed. I guess the operator was the owner, Martin Stringer. Clearly a man with a sense of humour, with his apology for forgetting the sky....... Look at the wonderful detail in the sail lofts.
And another seaside layout. This is Harlyn Pier in OFS, based "not far from Padstow". Another layout with some nice cameos, my favourite of which is the Rover car, duplicating one I owned, about 50 years ago. Except mine was in grey. And I love the kids playing in the mud. But you'll have to wait because I can't upload any more files on this one.
B
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
And now, following on, here's Harlyn Pier.
Next is Bishops Quay. Notes are missing on this one but I believe it was a 7mm layout. Forgive me if I'm mistaken!
Still more to come. Pavillion End next.
B
Next is Bishops Quay. Notes are missing on this one but I believe it was a 7mm layout. Forgive me if I'm mistaken!
Still more to come. Pavillion End next.
B
AJC
Western Thunderer
Thank you for sharing the pictures, Brian. What with one thing and another, Railex was not on my agenda this year and I'm especially sorry to have missed Tollesbury, in particular: the colouring is just right, even without the sky. I was very pleased to have my work appear alongside it in MRJ; it's just stunning. Horfield is one of the very few 'trainspotting' layouts I've ever enjoyed watching, probably because of the quality of execution and the fact that it runs, and runs well.
Adam
Adam
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
As promised, now to Pavilion End. This was a simple O Gauge layout. Satisfying industrial scenery and nice operating.
Here's Tresparrett Wharf, a LSWR North Cornwall layout in 1/64 scale. Only one photo, I'm sorry to say, as this is a small layout.
I liked Heybridge Wharf in 3mm very much. This is a much underused scale but this layout makes one wonder why. Whilst fictitious it more than smacks of the minor GE branches and inland docklands. That boat is just beautiful.
Final page to come!
B
Here's Tresparrett Wharf, a LSWR North Cornwall layout in 1/64 scale. Only one photo, I'm sorry to say, as this is a small layout.
I liked Heybridge Wharf in 3mm very much. This is a much underused scale but this layout makes one wonder why. Whilst fictitious it more than smacks of the minor GE branches and inland docklands. That boat is just beautiful.
Final page to come!
B
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Last layout but one is Trowland, M & GN, in S.
And, to tie it all up, the last showing of Pempoul. Need more be said about this one?
I hope these have been of interest. If you've not been to Railex it's a must do exhibition.
Brian
And, to tie it all up, the last showing of Pempoul. Need more be said about this one?
I hope these have been of interest. If you've not been to Railex it's a must do exhibition.
Brian
Joe's Garage
Western Thunderer
Again I would like to thank those above for taking the pictures as it gives me the opportunity to see the layouts when I cannot get to such exhibitions. Trowland is definitely a lovely layout as of course the others are. One thing that has stuck in my mind about Trevor's modelling is the fact that way back in the early 80s when finescale was evolving he took time to ensure his check and wing rails on the point work were rusty!!!!! We all have a bugbear??!!
Definitely like this.
Julian
Definitely like this.
Julian