While waiting, I was taken by a long, flexible LED, and it was too cheap to say no to. Once I've fired it up, I'll post on here.
Talking of cheap, one trader had brass section at 2012 prices, so I stocked up. How this stuff was still on the stand after four days is a mystery. It just shows, there are bargains out there, you just have to look out for them.
This year's model engineering show was a little special for me. Our boat club always puts on a display, and I'd entered my Dad's Victorian Steam launch. This isn't a competition, although there is a Best Boat On The Stand vote; it's just a chance to show off his workmanship.
Dad was always proud of this model. OK, it's electrically powered rather than steam, but he put a lot of effort into the wooden deck, and it shows. The lines of the model are pleasing, so it doesn't look out of place at the show. Happily, the "Little Brian" figure is about the right scale too, so he got to attend a show we had been visiting for many years.
Elsewhere, the number of models in competitions seemed to be up. I know there was a dip after everyone finished projects while locked away during Covid. Maybe enough time has elapsed for them to complete something else?
Engineering shows are always home to a wide variety of disciplines, and it was fun to watch some radio-controlled helicopters operating at the side of the car park. The team putting this display on explained some of the challenges they face. These aren't drones, there is no autopilot. You have to fly the things. Lucky for me, the conditions were just suitable for the show. 24 hours earlier, it was too windy.
I like talking to people at shows, it's amazing who you meet. The builder of this studio-scale model of Skydiver, from the Anderson show UFO, had worked on the Large Hadron Collider in the past, but now, aside from a little teaching work, spends his time building military models. Well, that and a rather nice large-scale Routemaster bus.
Since I attended on the final day of the event, cake options were limited, but the carrot cake was a winner.
Anyway, let's let the photos do the talking, with an album over on Flickr.
Another one of those videos which makes you realise how dull the modern railway is compared to the blue diesel days almost 40 years ago. Has anyone got a time machine?
That name on the front is printed, not a sticker, indicating that the chain of shops was going to distribute enough catalogues to make a special print run viable. Did Scalextric put it on for a valued retailer, or did Beatties have to pay for the print run as an advert?
Wandering around GETS with my boss in tow, we reached the Elaine's Train stand and Elaine said, "I've got something for you.", presenting me with a couple of long bags marked Hornby. These are designed to carry yard lengths of flexitrack. Peco make something similar in paper nowadays.
Of course, I am very excited about this. My boss rolls her eyes. This isn't the first time she's seen plastic bags come my way. At least this one didn't arrive at the office, to be posted on!
You'll want to see a photo of course, so I had to find someone to hold the things.
It's the December issue, even though it appears at the start of November, I feel there should be some festive content, which is why my first practical in this issue is a 7mm scale Christmas tree.
I head outdoors for the main piece, and build a greenhouse with its surrounding garden.
My camera has been out. First, we have 7mm scale Offerston Quay.
Moving down the scales, in 4mm, we have Guinea Street.
Finally, we go down a scale again, this time N gauge OWDLADD.
BRM is available from all good newsagents, supermarkets and our online store.
