Was a good show yesterday, lots of chatting, meeting new people and generally talking trains
Was good to meet Roger (D816Foxhound) for the first time and see his Lowmac, just visible in front of the steam engine on the bottom row below.
The display seemed to go down well, plenty of people stopped to chat and look at the models, although the conversation was not as intense as the photo of Arty and Simon implies
There was a good range of subjects on show, covering all the bases from 10mm and 1/32, Live Steam through to 2 rail electric and battery power. I didn't get shots of everything, but as a taster -
Live Steam Gauge 1 10mm Crewe Goods. Based on one of John Dale's kits, its pretty much spot on with working backhead detail and a lovely patina of use. Although I haven't seen it running, it is reported to produce plenty of power and looks a picture pulling some period stock. Apologies for the quality of the backhead shot, a little out of focus.
Sticking with the live steam stuff, next up is a backhead shot from a Britannia, scale and working, it blew my mind. What could be better than one of these - well of two of them
The artists in question are Derek Pollard and Chris Tolhurst (of TME fame) and they have done a stellar job on these two. Both were bought as working loco's, they were then stripped down for superdetailing and enhancement - Mark Woods wheels, replacement valvegear, lots of lovely castings and pipework. The boilers were remade an inch shorter so that the fully working backheads could be made and installed. Even the pressure gauge drain lever works, but best of all is the blower control. See that little wheel top centre on the backhead..thats it, fully functional, although Derek pointed out he would have to make a tool to adjust it with the cab on...bonkers, but epic all the same! The shot below is of Chris' masterpiece, with working 1/4" pressure gauge...