Yesterday I visited two exhibitions, a model shop and the seaside in the same day!
My itinerary featured the Saffron Walden Model Railway Club exhibition, the Norfolk and Suffolk Narrow Gauge Modellers exhibition, a trip to Parrs model shop and the beach.
Let’s start in Saffron Walden. I arrived early before opening time, I was third in the queue. Good exhibition. Nice light venue, space to view the layouts and a good mix of scales, eras and layout styles. I brought some secondhand ‘Merit’ sacks, still in the original cardboard box.
The refreshments looked great, but I didn’t stop – I had to get to Beccles.
The N&SNGM run a great exhibition. Nice venue, quality layouts and super refreshments. It’s nearly a year since I’ve been to a specialist narrow gauge exhibition. It was really enjoyable to look at the layouts and talk to people I haven’t seen for ages. One modeller even showed me his legs. I mean the legs that support his layout!
The N&SNGM run a challenge at each exhibition. This year it was to build a layout with a maximum area of 4 square feet (0.37 square metres). There were seven entries and the public was invited to vote for a winner. And the winner was… Lysander Farm.
Thanks to Richard Doe and the boys from Beccles for organising such an enjoyable exhibition.
Next stop, Parrs model shop in Lowestoft. It’s a super shop with an excellent range of models, paints, and tools. The owner is really friendly, helpful and knowledgable. I wish I lived nearer.
I walked out of Parrs with a razor saw, a mitre box, some track and a Sundeala baseboard.
Crumbs 🙂
Instead of driving home through traffic I decided to visit Lowestoft. I had an ice cream on the seafront, went for a long walk along the beach and had some excellent fish and chips.
It was a great day. I packed a lot in but, as they say, ‘If you are going to go, go large’ 🙂
Steve's Narrow Gauge Railway Adventure 
Thank you for the photos. Although I was at Beccles with ‘Whimsey’ I didn’t get to take any pics of the other layouts. Unfortunately I was on my own in the back room with Great Eastern Models for company, probably because there was a possibility I might have to cancel. MrsJ was up for a knee op around the date, fortunately it is the next weekend, so I was able to attend. Although very different, my little effort seemed to get a lot of amused positive comment. If you managed to get a photo I’d be interested to see it. Ian
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Hi Ian, Good to hear from you. I have checked the photos on my computer and I can’t find any photos of ‘Whimsey’. I must admit that I thought that room was traders and when I went in there I headed straight for the rummage boxes, then up the stairs to the upper room. I returned by the other stairs that lead to the main hall entrance so I didn’t go into the back room again. Apologies, it looks like I didn’t see you and your layout. I will definitely look out for it in future.
All the best
Steve
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Not to worry.
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Oh, one other thought. Graham was taking photos too, perhaps he has photos of ‘Whimsey’
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