Welcome to the show that I'm so target market for, it could have my picture on the programme cover.
A mix of model railways, plastic modelling, and we were promised, slot and RC cars.
And Lego. The terrific Lego model of the Forth Bridge is stunning, although there are innacuracies, according to a bridge engineer I talked to beside it who happened to recognise me. We both decided we could live with these.
Railways were very strong, as you'd expect from Hornby Magazine.
The lead was, I suppose, Eastfield TMD, which I first saw last year at Modelrail Scotland. There, they were having serious problems, but I'm assure these have been ironed out. It's an impressive project, but maybe because I got to it on Sunday afternoon, there still didn't seem much movement for such a vast space.
Many others were on show though, and there wasn't a duff one in the hall. I don't think there was anything I'd not seen, and several I have photographed, but if you aren't as travelled in the hobby as me, you'd be in for a treat with these.
Plastic modelling was also impressive, although I spotted a few repeats from last year.
You'd do well to see such quality and variety outside the IPMS show.
Less good were the slot racing - a single circuit which you had to pay to try. No racing. Nor were the RC cars much in evidence.
Tamiya trucking was as impressive as ever, but apart from a tiny car track, nothing. To be fair, I did get the chance to drive a Tamiya Lunchbox, and discover it is pretty much indestructable. If only there had been a bit more space.
Despite these niggles, I enjoyed myself, and spent the entire day there. OK, there was, as ever, lots of chatting, but then I didn't get the chance to do much layout watching, so I reckon there is easily a full day of entertainment to be had. Numbers didn't look impressive, but I'd put that down to the first really nice weekend for a while, which would encourage people into their gardens more than a tin shed beside Birmingham airport.
Trade was good for mainstream show. Most of the larger firms had extended their range beyond railways with both kits and RC cars available. Yes, I was (slightly) tempted, but didn't give in.
Cake supply was poor. One stand with a modest selection. Fortunalty, my friends at Accurascale came to the rescue.
And the haul? One book by "Mr Hornby".
1 comment:
I had the Tri-ang circus lorry
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