I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Railex last weekend. It was completely exhausting and I’m only just recovering today but the mix of socialising, seeing great Modelmaking and meeting some of you all for the first time was worth that cost!
I promised that I’d share a few more photos and reflections on the show. Whilst I didn’t do a proper walk around with the camera and the YouTube live failed, I did grab a few quick phone shots, more to remind myself than publish, but with a little commentary here they’ll tell more of my story of the show.
This is not a catalog of everything, nor even a snapshot of the only talent - more it’s an incomplete collection of what I enjoyed seeing and watching in those moments away from Maple River…
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| Wenford dries built on a pair of IKEA Lack shelves was a good example of small space O, and could have been smaller if it weren’t for the two turnouts! |
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| Lovely to see Gordon Gravett’s ‘Ditchling Green’ in the flesh after seeing it in my Grandpa’s Model Railway Journal as a child - it still feels rather lovely, and hasn’t aged badly at all. A tribute to the care it receives these days I’m sure… |
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| Paul and I weren’t the only North American layout, Kamiack Falls depicted the early days of BN in the North West and had a balanced level of detail, colour resulting in a rather lovely feel. |
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| Cessy of course, smaller in person than it looks in photos - Oly and Chris entertained the crowds (and us in the evenings) all weekend. |
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Finally rather nice for Ant to lend Paul some BN hoppers to switch on Maple River.
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The quality of work on display, the balance of traders and the general feel of the show was definitely above the typical. Not elite, but welcoming - a finescale bent. This was my first Rail-ex, it is unlikely to be my last… until next time, more soon…
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Hi James,
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity I couldn't justify going to Railex; with Stowrail last weekend and the Wessex NG open day at Romsey coming up, it would have been too many weekend days away...
Ditchling Green caught my eye immediately on the preview; I accidentally (avoiding traffic on the A27) passed through Ditchling a few weeks back, there's a very similar aspect to South Street as you come in, which I'm sure must have inspired the street on Ditchling Green, it immediately reminded me of it, and made me wonder whether it still existed...answer yes, obviously!
Loving the BN green...another thing from my early days of US Railroad interest. Dunno why, but BN, UP, SP and Conrail with their (almost) single colour liveries appeals to me far more than some of the more complex (dare I say, "messy"?) schemes.
Thanks for sharing these photos, James,
All the best,
Simon.
It was a good show Simon - but it's such a trek from North Wales. Your reflections and meanderings as usual lovely to read and ponder upon... best, James
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ReplyDeleteHi James
Very pleased to see the coverage of your time at RailEx. Must have been quite a trip from North Wales but seems as if it was very much worth it. Would be much nearer for me but did not get the motivation.
I like Maple River and with your stock seems like an extension of Beaverbrook.
Ant Quinlan’s Kamiak Falls is a nice layout as well and nearer to my prototype. The BN green is well done and in better condition than the last I saw at Longview WA in 2015. I have seen his layout at some NMRA events and always impressed me
The other layouts you photographed are interesting. I was looking at NCB based layout – at least the one with NCB wagons. Seems to be electrified , so was it inspired by the Harton railway?
I have also been relaxing with your books and the recent blogs especially the Beaverbrook switching video. I really like those FDL prime movers.
Hopefully all will give me a push to get more scenery etc. done rather than just more mindful switching
Best regards
Alan
Thanks Alan.
DeleteGlad you’ve been enjoying the new books… and the U23B has been a hilight here too…
You ask about the NCB layout - I think it was called Harton Gill and yes, featured some electrics but I didn’t see them working. I’ve seen it in the mags at some point.
Really pleased to see Ditchling Green out and about, and looking well cared for. It's a lovely layout, and I was worried when it was sold on.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was in great condition… didn’t particularly think all the larger locomotives suited it as much as purely Terriers but then, it’s not my trainset! I’m happy it has survived in good health, rather than a slow and visible decline… think its out and about a fair bit in the next 12 months from what I picked up from others.
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