Report on the 2018 AGM & Show held at Trinity Hall, Leicester on Saturday March 17th 2018
Words and photos by Bob Leggett
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The second year at Leicester for the AGM and Show. Paul Draycott’s team are a well oiled bunch and were on hand to ensure the day ran smoothly. The weather forecast for the Midlands warned of heavy snow and as a result some traders were unable to make it and the attendance was a little lower than expected.
Chairman Bryan Pentland was show organiser and created a superb variety of layouts and displays and despite the weather 30 sales tables selling a wonderful assortment of old toy and model trains and accessories.
Two Videos to give you a flavour of the day
Videos thanks to Malcolm Pugh
I will describe the show as one enters the foyer.
Rod Hannah manned the entrance table and opposite Tony Stanford ran the club information stand.
Traders in the foyer were Cliff Maddock who reported good sales including a Dublo pre-war articulated set and I also saw a happy Tony Penn with a Hornby 0 Gauge Percy set also from Cliff.
Elaine's Trains had two tables of good quality HO, 00 and 0 gauge trains, I spotted a Russian made Red Rocket set for a tempting £70.
The Club Bring and Buy stall manned by Paul Chapman and Tony Penn was a little quieter this year probably due to the weather however a scratch built 0 Gauge 2-4-0 Tank loco sold for £160 and a quantity of Atlas Track for £100, overall the club was donated nearly £100 from the various sales, well done Paul and Tony.
Opposite Nicholas Dean and Natasha Evans trading as Checkline were selling mainly 00 and N Gauge.
As we enter the main hall Simon Goodyear was on the left and despite his usual timing had a cluster of buyers for his classic vintage models, I even spotted our editor eagerly appraising some old wooden signals.
Michael Foster who had an operation the day before popped in briefly, although not able to trade he was in his usual spot and was able to enjoy the show and swap information with several visitors.
Roger and Barbara Burnish had their delightful Hornby Dublo 3-Rail layout which always requires close inspection. Today Roger had Acho and Marklin running as well as some interesting conversions including a Budgie 0-6-0 Tank. I always like the busy Station with the collection of Dublo Dinky vehicles.
Next was Dave White with a very comprehensive Tri-ang 00 Gauge Railways and Minic Motorway, Arkitex and Model Land set up. A superb layout with lots of activity including cars and buses stopping for the trains. Plenty of 1960s Tri-ang Locos were running however I particularly liked a Hornby (China) blue B12 on a Tri-ang chassis with a rake of blood and custard coaches.
Peter Gurd had taken over the corner with a great collection of books, catalogues and other literature as well as some Tri-ang Model Land buildings and other items.
Opposite on the right hand wall the Vyse family, Bill ,Rachel and Michael were running Hornby 0 Gauge with a Southern and GWR theme. I was also impressed with their Bayko Castle and other scenic effects. A Hornby Eton with a rake of SR coaches look splendid as it raced round passing the very full Cattle Dock.
Alongside we say a big Howdy to Les Martin and Neil Smith who had set up a Tri-ang (with a little help from Kibri) OO Gauge Wild West Layout. A huge amount of thought had gone into this set and visitors were amazed at the various scenes on the layout including the Rockies (Airfix Monte Carlo Mountains). Airfix Wild West Fort, Kibri Town and a host of various manufacturers figures. Pulling the trains were Tri-ang Davy Crocketts in various disguises. I also spotted a Hornby Toy Story set. Neil even dressed up for the occasion.
On stage was David Knighton, John Boyd and Jonathan Ward with their four track O gauge layout which had an LMS theme. David was particularly pleased with an all Millbro Train headed by a standard LMS black 4-4-2T pulling eleven trucks, also running was a Bernard Ridgely 4-6-0 with a train of WJ Vintage 6-wheel Milk tank wagons. In the middle was a Hornby Wembley Station with no less than five Island Platforms.
The majority of the traders were in the centre of the hall. Dave Angell who had a large quantity of Tri-ang reported very good sales, Steve Knight also sold well, particularly kit-built models. Leon Mills with ACE Trains had the latest ACE Caley on show.
Mark Carne had a good selection of mainly O gauge including a Bing Engine Shed for £75. Bob Leggett had a mixed collection of mainly 00 gauge. Dixon Upcott with Trix and other models including a Tri-ang EMU set for £90 and Peter Berry with his usual mix of interesting spares
As we move to the smaller hall we pass the Club Stand which was full. This years theme 'Blue Engines' got everyone excited and there really was a fantastic selection of engines, from a scratch built Coronation to a 1920s Bassett Lowke Standard High Produce? 3''/2.5 0-6-0 Tank. Even the most famous blue tank of all was there, a Lionel Thomas. I heard that this was the last time for the club display stand which I think is a shame. If the subject is right it can be a wonderful display. Perhaps they will think again after this success. Thanks to David Ramsey for organising the stand. David was also clearing out some old stock and some items I hear were quickly snapped up.
As we enter the smaller hall, on the right in his usual position is Pat Hammond with a mouth watering display of blue locos. Pat had set up the display very correctly and had matched the rake of coaches with the right locomotive. Featuring mainly Hornby Locos rakes of blood and custard coaches included Hawksworth, Thompsons, Gresleys, Port Hole Staniers, Bullied and BR Mk1. Pat also had some Hornby factory prototypes, some of which never made it into production including an Ivatt 2-6-2 and the mechanism on a coach chassis for opening doors as the train stops at a station (I think that was a little over ambitious even by by Hornby standards!)
On the left Colin Totem was selling Darstead and Raylo models. On display was the latest LSWR (BR) Adams Radial Tank which will be out soon and the GWR 14XX 0-4-2t with an Autocoach selling for £570.
Opposite David and Peter Peasant were running O Gauge mainly Chad Valley Mettoy and Brimtoy with electric mechs and a variety of stock . As usual I loved the scenic detail including a Mettoy Engine Shed and a quaint wooden Engine shed (possibly homemade). A busy goods yard included accessories from all of the lesser 0 gauge makers. I even spotted a newly acquired Brimtoy Pocketoy Circus Trailer (from David Ramsey).
The final three layouts in this room is what separates TCS from other societies and model railway clubs.
David Rhodes who has changed his theme this year from James Bond to The 1960s series The Prisoner. This was a cult TV series starring Patrick McGoohan and was set on location at Port Merion village in Wales. David, dressed as No 6 had used buildings made by Port Merion pottery and built his own scenes such as the chess board to create a unique layout. Although there was no railway in the Prisoner the Ffestiniog Railway is very close and David had used modellers licences to set up Eggerbahnn 009 in the village.
Along the back wall Bryan Pentland had for the first time moved down to 00/HO Gauge and had an incredible display including a figure of 8 Schuco monorail with two trains running at the same time, Ever Ready Underground set with lighting, Eheim Trolley buses and Bing Table Top. Every thing ran well and it was a real pleasure to see such a variety in one display.
Next to Bryan , James Day and Malcolm Pugh with help from Bob Fleming were running Tyco Road and Rail. This was the layout with probably the most action of any at the show. James showed me the Airport Taxi, when the cab returned the Airplane set off. There was a gravel unloading set and best of all a Crane loading tubes and logs onto a tipper truck and unloading at another destination.Running was a variety of stock and trucks on the roadway. A hugely entertaining display.
Our Editor Nicholas Oddy was selling a variety of classic 0 and larger trains.
Off the main hall is also the dining area where two layouts were on display.
David Holt who specialises in immediate post war trains had a 1950s end to end model Railway layout. Using Wrenn fibre track and his modelling skills this was a fascinating layout, the type of which would have been featured in a late 1950s Railway Modeller. I was very impressed with a Ratio Railcar and also noticed the restored Kirdon Diesel waiting at the station which had a superb roof.
Finally we come to the smallest layout at the show. Paul Williams loves fitting a lot into a small space and had set up a scenic TT layout on a 2' x 2' board. The attention to detail was wonderful and I particularly liked the Biltezi card Bungalow. A Gem tank body on a Tri-ang 0-6-0 chassis with two Tri-ang Suburban coaches made the short journey into the tunnel and out onto the station.
Food at Leicester is always excellent, a big thank you to the following for a superb two course meal (for a fiver) and refreshments throughout the day, Janet Tilley, Daphne Sargeant, Carol Ireland,, Mary Starie, Pav Pall, Elaine Priestley, Paul and Marilyn Draycott.
The AGM went ahead at 3pm and finished just after 4pm. Full details of the AGM will be in the next edition of the Train Collector. Notable points: Subs increase of £2, July show is well on its way at another new location in Stoke Mandeville and other shows Beckenham, Brighton and Alresford will have strong TCS involvement.
More photos can be found here
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