Off we go again. It's less than 20 miles for us to get to that little show in a shed near Solihull but we know from experience that most of the time on the road can be spent within the confines of the NEC.As it happens, arriving just before 2pm proves to be ideal. We get into the hall less than 15 minutes after arrival. Melbridge Dock is quickly unloaded and I lose the camper into the car park. It's a rare model railway exhibition as you can drive up to your stand. The VW works particularly well as the side door means we just chuck everything out into the allotted space.
Setting up takes a few minutes and by 3pm we are running. Or at least the model is up and tested. Putting the stock on properly can wait for Saturday morning. Despite security there are too many people wandering in and out to cover the layout with very pocketable models. I appreciate that anything from a traders stand will appeal to most thieves but you never know. Besides we need something to do first thing in the morning. Today there is chatting to do.
Before the exploring can take place though we have to help the organisers. The layout behind us is in the wrong place. Rather than take it to bits, it's decided to get a gang of people together and carry it 20 feet to the right spot in the hall. A dozen of us all took a bit and shuffled the model, a modest 7mm scale affair, to it's new home. Sadly I couldn't get a picture of this what with having my hands full of train set.
A wander around the show later and we are out of the door and back home by 4:30. Not bad. Tomorrow, we take the train. Because we can (hopefully).
Take a look at the pictures of the event setting up. In 18 hours these isles will be full of people.
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