Report on the TCS 2008 Leicester Get-Together held at Trinity Methodist Church, Leicester on 1st November 2008
Words by Bob Leggett, photos by Dave McCarthy, except where indicated
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Time flies and as I 'flew' up the M1 (Neil Bowsher and I left Alresford at 6.30am and two hours later arrived in Leicester as there was no traffic on the road) I could not believe how another year has flown by and we are back at Trinity Church Leicester to be welcomed by members of the Church who operate the door.
In the large entrance area was the TCS Information stand, Andy and Elaine Hyelman with their neat factory made Schwarzburg TT layout (as featured in Train Collector No 8).They were also selling a variety of interesting stock and I noticed a Tri-ang Rocket Presentation set for £175 and a Wrenn 0-6-0 prototype with clear plastic body - looking for offers c £200.
Albert Chaplin was selling O gauge and alongside Peter Corley had an excellent mix of lesser known OO trains for sale. I was particularly impressed with two Exley GWR locos, a Castle at £295 and County at £285. There were also two Champion sets and a lovely Sayer Chaplin LMS Class 5 for £375.
John and Pauline Foreman were selling more of John's O gauge mainly Tinplate trains. I noticed an American Unique Lines O Gauge Set with a rather bulbous steam engine which is very similar to a Brimtoy loco I saw later on ryan Pentland's set up (see later)
John Ridley and Phil Goater were also selling an interesting collection of trains. Malcolm Pugh and Eric from the Church manned the Bring and Buy stand and took £475 which resulted in another £47 for club funds. Two notable sales included a Tri-ang No 1 catalogue at £85 and, Bassett Lowke style track also for £85.
On the Bring and Buy stand Paul Draycott had on sale OO and O gauge paper wagons sides which were demonstrated by Malcolm Pugh.
As we move into the main hall a five foot high Meccano Blackpool tower with working lifts and lights is on the first table.
Along the left hand wall we have Steve Warden and Brian Hollingsworth demonstrating 16mm live steam built from Roundhouse kits with some lovely scratch built workshops in a couple of coaches.
Next was Bob Fleming with his Lone Star Treble 'O' Lectric layout, this had three circuits including a high level one plus sidings. With the Gulliver Buildings and other accessories this was a nice layout.
In the corner Peter Gurd was selling mainly literature. In the middle , Bob Leggett, Steve Knight, and Roy Brooks were selling a variety of trains, and judging by the empty spaces at the end most did fairly well.
Chris Smith with his O/S 3rd Display
In the other corner Bryan Pentland was displaying a superb collection of O gauge. I was very impressed with an Electric Brimtoy Steam Engine which was much larger than their standard models and some suggested it may have been made by Marx for Brimtoy although Bryan now believes it was made by Brimtoy. This was very similar to the Unique Lines train being sold by John Foreman.
Next door Barbara and Roger Burnish was running Dublo 3 rail with a nice variety of accessories including Master models.
Alongside Alan Orton and Kevin Garrett were selling an interesting collection of Toys and Trains.
It was nice to see Michael Foster who was introducing Skytrex trains as well as promoting ETS.
David Ramsey was running the club Stand which had a theme of ' Live Steam'. I was taken with an OO Gauge Steamcraft A4 as well as a 3.5inch Gauge 0-4-0 loco named Rob Roy.
In front of the stage Mark Carne and Bruce Palmer with help from Trevor Jones and others were running Live Steam and Clockwork O gauge. As I passed a Bowman 4-4-0 c1928 was at full steam pulling a rake of ACE Coaches.
On the stage Dave Knighton and friends were running Bassett Lowke and Hornby O gauge. The set up included a beautiful London Underground station and a MTH warehouse., A rare Bassett Lowke underground set was not working but on view.
As we move into the final Hall it is nice to see Len Mills back selling ACE Trains. On show is the new 2-6-4 Tank with BR on one side and LMS on the other. This is such a versatile model, it can run on AC or DC, 2 OR 3 rail, smoke and a glowing firebox. (all it needs now is Magnethesion!) Based on this model I can see this being another good seller.
Hey who nicked the 2-6-4 on the ACE Stand!!??
Oh! there it is!!
In the corner Brian and Gill Arnold with help from David Brown, David O'Brien and Milan (well they were all there sitting behind the layout just enjoying watching the trains).
This was another nice layout with both AC and DC stock running (Pre and Post war).
At the back Paul Brookes was selling more of his collection of wooden buildings. He also was displaying his restored Bonds 1920 canopy terminus station with a rare Bassett Lowke Underground train parked in the station. Paul was also showing two variations of the Ever Ready Underground set and a mint boxed Hugar EMU set.
Even rarer was an OO gauge Bassett Lowke four car underground set.
Although in need of restoration-only two known sets exist-any more out there?
Dave Peasant had set up his fascinating O gauge layout. As I have mentioned before this is one of my favourites layouts due to the numerous scenes made up from Britain's, Crescent , Tempo and other accessories. I was particularly impressed by the Triang Minic Garage. As I passed a Lionel Hogwarts was rushing round with a rake of very well lit coaches. It looked the part.
The final display was by Pat Hammond who was showing off a great selection of studio work of Airfix Electric Trains as well as some of the kits.
Finally a big thank you to the helpers in the kitchen ( Janet Tilley, Elaine Priestley, Margaret Lunn, Audrey Foulds, Daphne Sargent, Margaret Walter, Brenda D'Arcy, Adam Draycott, Simon Draycott and Marilyn Draycott) who once again served up a very tasty three course Christmas lunch for over one hundred in two sittings.
I am unsure of the numbers through the door however it seemed busy all day and we were particularly please to see overseas visitors Tony Griffiths and Peter Scrimshaw from Canada and Rolande Allen from France.
Thanks to Paul Draycott and his family for yet again putting on a great show.
Bob Leggett
More photos can be found here
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