Syston Haul

The rule is that when you go to a show, you must come back with some new toys. 

But. There are very few new toys that I actually need, and not many that I want right now. So, complying with the rule at Syston wasn't easy. 

Spotted in a box, is this nice, playworn, Matchbox hovercraft. I like hovercraft, and for a couple of quid, it complied with the rules. I'll kid myself that one day I'll take it apart and restore it. The stickers could be reproduced on a computer, and they are only bits of paper stuck on. The liver, well a can of white spray paint will sort that. 

For the moment, I'm enjoying it as a desk toy, making hovercraft noises as I push it up and down. I am a big kid. But then you knew that. 

Rather more relevant, and also found under a stand (it's where the good stuff is, but don't tell anyone) is this Hornby Dublio TPO set. 

Despite being an operating accessory fan, I've never got into the TPO sets. There is an orange Tri-ang one in the collection, but that's it. 

What interests me about the Dublo version, is that it works in a very different way to the later Tri-ang and Hornby models. Those are purely mechanical. Dublo uses electricity. There is a pickup skate sticking out of the side of the coach, and what I assume is a matching tongue sticking out of the delivery/collection space. 

How all this works is a mystery to me. I know I could probably look it up, but I'll have fun finding out by experimentation. 

All this, in nice condition, for £15. OK, there are no mailbags, but for some reason, I already have some. There has been some depreciation going on, as there is a paper label inside for £95 - an optimistic price, even when HD was worth proper money!