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The 20th
Alresford Festival of Toy Trains
Perins
School 16th July 2012
Please click on photos for larger images
Almost perfect weather (cloudy with a
threat of rain) for a train show helped bring in nearly 700
visitors to the 20th Festival of Toy Trains.
The early birds looking for bargains were first on the scene
and with over 80 sales tables to choose from there was
plenty of choice and from what I heard most of the traders
had a good day, many mentioned that the number of
transactions was high
although the average spend was
lower.
As for
layouts, there were a few new ones this year with several
changes to regular layouts.
In the
Main Hall, David and Judith Holmes had set up their Trix
layout for possibly the last time at Alresford. As usual the
variety of stock was excellent and I was very impressed with
a Nord loco and the rare Rheingold coaches. Many thanks to
David for all the displays over the last few years.
Neil
Smith was exhibiting his Tri-ang TC collection with a double
track oval to show the stock running. Neil had an example of
most of the TC range plus many variations. The colourful
display shows why the TC range was so popular.
Next
door Richard Upton, another first time exhibitor at
Alresford had a superb Hornby Dublo 3-rail layout. Very much
a purist layout it was however full of running and had all
the Dublo accessories. Very much admired. Thanks also to
Richard’s son and grandson for helping him set up.
The
Chiltern group including Ron MaCaskie and Derek Smith had
their excellent large Dublo 2-rail layout and really went to
town with lots of West Country locos and suitably long
trains drawing the crowds. A great team effort.
Neil
Bowsher was showing his Hornby Acho for the second time and
over the last year had added considerably to his collection
and visitors enjoyed a two level railway with Minic Motorway
in the centre with several continental buildings.
Eric
Large was back after a break with his superb Tri-ang TT
layout. Probably the best TT layout on the circuit, Eric
delighted everyone with the Kays Golden Train and rare
Continental stock running throughout the day.
Dave
White set up a Tri-ang Super 4 layout with several circuits
with the Hornby Dublo Canopy Station that briefly came into
the Tri-ang catalogue in cream before the later maroon
version. As usual the stock ran well all day and the extra
detail such as fencing always makes this layout a delight to
view.
Dave
Lyon was running his excellent Minic Motorway with Tri-ang
Railways layout. A very popular exhibit with the public who
love seeing the cars stopping for the trains and going round
roundabouts.
In the
far corner Peter Corish and friends from the Brickish
Association had a really fantastic LEGO layout with a
wonderful selection of new buildings and even a LEGO robot
to delight the crowds. The number of viaducts was amazing
and I still love the viaduct that takes the trains from one
table to another.
In
front of the stage Steve Knight with help from Marcus Archer
had set up his excellent Kitmaster display and was also
selling a variety of trains.
On the
stage Nick Gillman with Help from Ray Jones and John Bruce
had fun with Nick’s Tri-ang 00 gauge Industrial layout using
Standard track. One of the main features was an unloading
hopper onto a Tri-ang cargo ship. Nick used TC stock and I
was pleased to see one of my favourites, a green switcher.
The
centre of the stage was taken over by Tri-ang Big Big. Steve
Smith was at Alresford for the second time and set up an
even better layout with trains running well all day. I
particularly like the Hymek Red Rocket set which was issued
by Novo.
Also
on the stage was a Hornby Railways oo gauge ex display
layout donated a few years ago by Hornby. This was set up
for children to play with and was in demand all day. For the
very young, a Brio set was also very much enjoyed.
Also
in the hall George Voller was selling items son behalf of
the Tallylyn Society. Rod Hannah and Chaz manned the TCS
stand and signed up a new member and had several interested
in joining.
The
refreshment bar was also in this hall and Four Marks Scouts
did a tremendous job all day.
In the
Sports Hall we find the larger scale layouts and sales
tables. First in the corner is Owen Roberts and members of
the Bowman Circle who yet again ran live steam all day long.
It was good to see other makes taking part and as I was
passing a very sweet Bing loco was pulling a short goods
train. I’m sure several visitors did not realised these were
actually live steam models!
Bryan
Pentland once again amazed me with his Tinplate delights.
Running two levels of O gauge, a cable car and a tower with
Father Christmas trains was almost too much to take in. Not
surprisingly this was a popular layout with lady visitors.
Adam
Heely with help from Bob ….had set up a full-on Lionel
Layout with working accessories, noise emitting locos and
plenty of buildings to delight old and young visitors.
Ashley
Barton was running his much altered Lima O gauge. Ashley is
a wiz with kit building and conversions and had created a
wonderful town scene by expanding oo gauge Bilezzi sheets to
O gauge. He had also converted several locos and stock and
had a very interesting selection of figures around his
layout including a Tardis and Dr Who that kept changing
location.
Graham Bilbe, another first time exhibitor , with help from
John and Briony Hollands
had an O gauge clockwork
layout, and used stock from several manufacturers including
Hornby , Mettoy, Chad Valley and others, another very
colourful exhibit.
Howard
Starr-Keddle and fellow members of the HRCA had set up a
large electric O gauge layout predominantly running Hornby
however Darstaed, ACE and Bassett Lowke were all seen
running. Scenery included the full range of the Tri-ang
Cotswold series of rubber buildings. As I was passing it was
a perfect photo opportunity to catch a Hornby SR passenger
train.
David
Lord added another type of attraction with his
professionally built Scalextric four lane circuit which was
popular all day long with visitors able to compete in ten
lap races.
Amongst the traders Clive Parker had his excellent TRIX
layout which ran well all day.
Claire
Whale from the Alresford branch of Save the Children
arranged the door rota and also raised £316 selling raffle
tickets for a medical centre in Bangladesh.
Outside, although no trains this year due to the forecast of
rain (which came at 5pm) ‘Watch Out’ a local Blues and Rock
n Roll band entertained diners who were enjoying the
Alresford Rotary BBQ. Thanks also to Four Marks Scouts for
organising the car parking
Thanks to everyone who helped make the
day a success. Final thanks to Dave McCarthy for uploading
his photos so quickly and my report. Next year the 21st
show will be on Sat 15th July
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