We're starting to get the hang of early morning set ups and after getting up at some unearthly time on a Saturday morning (OK it was only a 30 minute drive) we were at the venue for 7am, ready to set up in time for the 10am opening.
The layout was in, put together, new power supply for the Arduino shuttle installed, stocked and tested in no time at all, even finding time for a leisurely (free!) breakfast before the viewing public started to arrive.
We shared our room with two other layouts and a trader who just happened to be a Hornby Dublo specialist and a fellow HRCA member, which proved both extremely helpful and also expensive!
I was able to get the two, sluggish EMUs remagnetised (what a great bit of kit!) and purchase some new tyres at the same time. The blue EMU then spent the entire weekend on the upper loop, with the green EMU working the shuttle and the blue & grey one running stand-alone (as it looks better this way) on the outer loop. The 8Fs were paired up initially as always but I decided to swap them for a pair of 2-6-4s (80104 & 80105) these also ran quite successfully.
No major issues to report, apart from two broken wires and a track fault that only manifested itself during the second day, not sure why but the solution was to replace one of the quarter straights, having purchased some from across the room!
We're starting to see familiar faces, people who share our unhealthy obsession with all things three rail. One of our "groupies" subsequently returned on the second day, presenting me with three locos to run while he looked around the exhibition again. Whilst I don't normally cover other people's work. these are truly stunning locos that are worthy of exposure here.
It only takes a loco with a light in it to get my attention!
The blue Deltic is a beautiful recreation. Worthy of note is the work done to incorporate the headlamps, which are bi-directional. The moulding can be seen in the front bonnet and it's a seamless job. I need one of these!!!
Then there's this streamlined Princess Coronation also in Blue:
Finally, this LMS turbine locomotive. The detailing done to both the body and the chassis is of a very high standard. It's hard to believe that these aren't genuine Hornby Dublo locomotives!
After being very well looked after, fed and watered, we were loaded and on our way. The next outing will be our biggest challenge to date - four days in a marquee at the end of April!
And just to prove that the layout does all fit in one car - here's the layout snugly inside my Citroen Berlingo Multispace...
It certainly means that we won't be expanding any time soon!
With grateful thanks to Brian & Carol from Dublo Heaven for helping me lighten my wallet.
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