Bargain hunting at a small show

I started writing these "haul posts" as a bit of fun, and easy content for the blog. This one though, shows why small shows can be just as entertatining as larger events, perhaps more so if you are searching for bargains. 

Here's the pile from the Stratford Upon Avon Model Railway Show second-hand stall. 

First, a couple of sealed plastic kits. 

Kits from the Hornby "Town & Country" range are always in my sights. Most of the range is stashed away for future builds, probably for the Hornby Collectors Club, but they are good enough for more general use. Many have made it into the Gaugemaster Fordhampton range, and even if they haven't, they are often available second-hand. This was one of three identical kits in the pile. 

The Mini was also one of three, and to be honest, I bought it as a fun to stick together model. At least the finished car won't be huge!

Something very Phil, is this Dutch barge. 

I think it's a modified Artitec Rhine river boat. I thought, there should be a mast up front, but looking at the website, it's a tall bollard. Not bad for a quid. 

Moving on to "collectable" model railway wagons, we start with R137 operating cement wagon. 

In really nice condition with all ladders and printing present. From a box of 50p wagons. The same box R131 wagon with wheel load. I've writen about this in the past, and always liked it. The wheel load is a mix of plain and spoked wheels. Is this original? 

Very handily, there was a R342 car transporter. 

OK, the box is mashed, but I was after the cars. In the future, I have a project that could do with some nice Tri-ang vehicles for the final photo. There are some in my collection, but I have to go and dig them out. For a whole pound, I'll save myself the bother. As an added bonus, I don't have the car transporter in my collection. 

The real gem from the same box is this: 

R561 in really nice condition. The Tri-ang Toys and Pedigree Prams paper sticker is perfect, in fact the whole thing is lovely and clean. There isn't one of these in the collection, and it's always been one I fancy because of the own-brand livery. No box, but for the price I can hardly complain!

A couple of points - I arrived at the show when it opened, but was chatting for 20 minutes before getting to the stall. Also, I did this in two bites, and both times rounded up my bill to both save messing with change, and add a bit more to the club coffers. Considering the bargains I bagged, this is only fair, I'd have paid more over-the-odds but I ran out of cash!

It was nice to see plenty of kits picking up ready-made buildings for peanuts. These will be poridly added to their train sets very quickly, I know that's how I'd have worked!

Back to the main point, there is no way I'd have snagged this lot at a big show. Dealers there can afford to take stock how with them, knowing it will be out again the following weekend. A club stand has to price to sell as once the who closes, so does the opportunity to offload stock. So, if you are being sniffy about a local event, perhaps this might change your mind?