Too hot for tweed!
Despite representing Garden Rail at GRS's open day, with temperatures in the 30s, I had to dress appropriately. After all, while the shop is air conditioned (lovely) under the gazebos outside, where a lot of the fun is, it was toasty. Short-sleeved shirt and factor 50 being the order of the day.
Both days saw a lot of chat - handy, as that's what I was there for. So much, that I didn't get a look around the shop until the second day.
There was a lot of high-end LGB in display, and a reasonable amount of it went out of the door. Who says there is no money in the hobby? I'll admit, I can see the joy of owning this stuff. It's beautiful. OK, a lot of money, but then you get what you pay for, especially when you remember, LGB refuse to ship manufacture to China.
I think my favourite is this LGB "Spreewald" 2-6-0 tank, which had been converted by GRS, to battery power, controlled by a Fosworks transmitter. It strolled away on the test track, with all sounds and lights working. The install is incredibly tidy too. I could be very tempted by one of these, a lovely looking loco.
Outside, on the steam test track, I had the chance to play with a few locos, including the new Rounhouse Peggie - a saddletank version of Millie, which I reviewed for Garden Rail a few months ago. I liked the review model, but feel that Peggie is even better looking. It's nicely made, and although manual control only, well behaved, and better as she ran in.
One highlight of this day is the cake, but this was eclipsed this year by a Thai curry made by the owner's wife - not too spicy (good) and very tasty. Willpower kept me away from second helpings, but i was one of the few to resist!
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