Tolworth 2024

Last weekend I took Loctern Quay to Tolworth. Here's Andrew Bolton operating. Although it hadn't been out for some time it worked well, of course with the new wagons added to the fleet.

It wasn't the only narrow gauge layout. The Wantage Narrow Gauge Tramway (009, Richard Holder) is modelled on Wantage - but narrow gauge rather than standard. The prototype was so narrow gauge in atmosphere that this actually works - with some of the stock of the prototype represented. 

Wisteria Collop (009, Dave Simpson) is an attractive scenic narrow gauge layout. 

Kaninchenbau (H0e, Iain Morrison) is an automated Austrian layout.

Compass Point (009, Chris O'Donoghue) is an old favourite of mine. I love the contrast between the business of the harbour and boatyard...

And the wide open space of the "shingle desert". All this in a relatively small layout. 

There were some excellent standard gauge layouts too. Drws-y-nant (2mm finescale, Nigel Ashton) was next to Loctern Quay. It's a simple but superbly executed model, even with working road vehicles. 

Lochty (EM, Andy Cundick) is a delightfully bleak model of a North British Railway goods branch terminus, with quaint locos and stock.

Northport Quay (David Holman) is a model of the Irish 5' 3" gauge in 7mm scale on 36.45mm gauge. More quirky locos and stock in a well modelled attractive scene, complete with harbour and Clyde Puffer. 

Ropeley (00, Chris Cleveland) is a model of the station on the Watercress Line in Hampshire, which is home to the line's engine shed, workshop, and extensive collection of running and part-restored locos. Having visited the line, the model is convincing and well observed.

Trinity Dock Street Bridge (00, Gavin Rose) portrays Hull docks in an atmospheric, well detailed scene.

A couple of layouts stood out for their unusual approach. Kinmundy (EM, Southampton MRC) is set in winter, with a light dusting of snow/heavy frost. I've seen snowy layouts before, usually Alpine and typically depicting a deep blanket of snow. This has a much more British winter effect that is very convincing - wintery trees, frosty bushes and roofs, even a touch of glitter to add that frosty sparkle. A very convincing result. 

Brief Encounter (00, Model Railway Quest - Dawn Quest) takes a radical approach of depicting a scene entirely in black and white. Yes, this is a colour photo, the model is black and white. It's very cleverly done - when you think about it, it must be really challenging to do effectively and convincingly - but beyond the novelty, I don't really get the attraction!

It was a big show so these are just a selection of the layouts. It seemed well organised and went smoothly, an enjoyable weekend.