‘Check the ULEZ compliance.’ This was a new pre-show trip question. Easy enough, you just punch your reg’ number in to the website and you get a yes or no. Interestingly the exit onto the A3 post show was no easier and there seemed to be no drop in traffic whatsoever. Draw your own conclusions.
Tolworth is a regular trip both as exhibitor and punter. Well organised and without glitches. The FOH cafe is limited and we had previously discovered a great ‘caff’ around the corner which has become part of the day… in fact we went there first.
I wonder if I have become a little jaded. The layouts were in the med-high bracket, on a par with Farnham a couple of weeks back with a good mix, though low on N and continental, but nothing that truly inspired. I understand that is more about me than the layouts. One complaint (again) was not the quality, but the complete nonchalance when it came to operation in many cases. The above, being run mainly by junior club members was fast and slick and gave a real lineside feel. On the flip Kensington (two down and essentially doing the same thing) was absolutely stunning, easily the stand-out in modelling terms, but I don’t think I saw one train leave or arrive without breaking or derailing. Heartbreaking stuff. If you’ve put that much effort into the very high class modelling then…?? One thing I did take a closer look at was Roy Hickman’s scenic stand which for once wasn’t crowded. Old school and reminiscent of Mike Gill’s work in RM in the ’70s and ’80s, but was almost my ‘ping’ moment.
Show 8
Parking 6
Rucksacks 4
Catering (off-site) 11.
