The National Festival of Railway Modelling 2024...

Last weekend saw the now 'annual' pilgrimage to Birmingham for the 'Warley' exhibition - only, this year it wasn't 'Warley' at all - rather the National Festival of Railway Modelling...

Things started badly - Transport for Wales were experiencing stock shortages (again - why they handed back the 769s and 175s early becomes increasingly frustrating at times like these) and my train to Birmingham International terminated at Wolverhampton leaving me no option but to squeeze on to the Manchester to Bournemouth 'Cross Country' service about a 5 car Voyager. Bananas. Quite a squeeze but I made it, and only 20 minutes later than planned in the end - so not all together bad.

The 4 car 158 set taking me to Birmingham... no, sorry, just Wolverhampton!

Meeting Paul at the hall he had already set up the layout so we did a spot of testing before a short wander about and then heading for the hotel for a meal and some rest.

Saturday started well with a hearty 'exhibitors breakfast' courtesy of Warners at the NEC - very good indeed. Punters arrived at 9.30am and the show was busy all day. Paul's layout ran well and garnered lovely warm comments although I am no fan of the Micro Engineering Code 70 turnouts - awful quality compared to the Peco equivalents now available.

My two locomotives (1502 and 8032) with Paul's Rapido SW1200RS on Maple River.

On both days we used my 'more modern' stock, to ring the changes.

The old 40' box cars portrayed towards the end of their lives in grain service. A lovely sense of place.

8032 looks well on the layout, here switching the Saskatchewan car.

Taking a walk around the show was difficult as I was either talking with punters or wandering off for sustenance but I did manage a look on the Rapido and Revolution stands - along with a chat to Steve from Accurascale who brought some samples over to show me at the layout.

The Port of Par Bagnall is truly tiny, what a diminutive but characterful model!

Rapido Manning Wardle looking very nice indeed - but not quite enough to tempt me back to OO.

I can't wait for the production samples and then, my own model from Revolution of the EWS 66. This is the 'rushed' sample from last November and is showing signs of heavy handling in the months since then.

Fresh off the plane, the livery sample of the TfW 175, tempting, but I've not caved just yet!

Finally, the steel carriers looked great - I've a set of 3 on pre-order too for the N gauge exhibition layout I have planned for 2025.

I love visiting the show because it's a chance to catch up with friends from the trade and across the hobby as well as meeting 'fans' and the general public. I mentioned Steve Purves from Accurascale was wandering about on Sunday (after being the driver on the ride on train on the Saturday!) and he brought over Duck and the Austerity for me to take a look at and enjoy handling. They have a nice weight to them and a real touch of finesse - wonderfully fine models - again, not quite enough to tempt me back to the larger scale...

Accurascale models on Maple River's fiddle stick.

EFE's J94 - apparently a lovely runner, John Ireland has converted this one to 2mm fine scale (completely daft in my opinion - completely in awe of the skills required!).

As Storm Bert raged and the trains were further disrupted it became apparent that it might not be sensible to wait until after seven for my own journey home - as by then, any chance of a lift would have vanished so thank you to John and Chris from the Ffestiniog Railway I jumped in Chris's car and managed to get home a few hours early without drama - albeit leaving Paul to clear up alone - sorry Paul.

In all a busy and tiring - but enjoyable weekend. Lots of energy for projects old and new, and I look forward to making some of these a reality. Back home, 8032 continues to delight on Beaverbrook and work has begun on the natural stuff on Coalbridge Street.

I am hoping the weather warms up though, as the workshop feels very cold today, back from the relative warmth of 'down south' at the NEC! Normal service will resume tomorrow - until then, as always, more soon...

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