For more years that we care to recall, members of Southport MRS have visited mid-Wales on two weekends in succession around August Bank Holiday time. The first event is the Corris Model Railway and Toy Exhibition, held in Machynlleth not far from the original southern terminus of the Corris Railway. The exhibition manager is a SM32 enthusiast, to the point where he has now acquired not only a second loco but also his first modest garden railway. We therefore bring with us one or other of my portable layouts for showing to the Great Welsh Public. Generally the response is very positive, although the demand from the younger element for Thomas-themed trains can get a little repetitive. I just don’t do them, OK?

 

The second event is a double-header, the Garden Railway Show at Llanfair Caerinion and the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway’s Annual Gala, both on the same weekend. This time Jim was the chauffeur, in Big Volvo, a vehicle carefully chosen for its ability to transport not only people but also copious quantities of Exhibition Swag. An early start was called for, and fairly well achieved, such that we arrived at Llanfair school by mid-morning. The show was in full swing, with plenty of people crowding around the trade stands, and largely ignoring the layouts. As time wore on and wallets became lighter, more attention was paid to what was running, to the gratification of those involved. These included Southport’s own Austin Moss, whose LGB layout is regularly one of the biggest, and loudest, at any exhibition it attends. And as for the lederhosen, look away now.

 

The main aims of visitors at these events are twofold, to raid the second-hand tables for as much keenly-priced goods as seems justified (which is to set a high bar) and to scour the traders’ stalls for all sorts of kits and bits which one is lacking. The more organised visitor has a carefully-crafted list, created and edited for several weeks before the show, to ensure that nothing is forgotten and likely suppliers are identified in advance. Another happy consequence of attending is meeting up with old friends, acquaintances and business partners, who this year seemed to be present in especially large numbers. At times it was difficult to move between main hall, side rooms, gym and cafe without being accosted by someone demanding to know how you were, what you were buying and what did you think of such-and-such a loco/layout/trader. Providing the

answers, and retaliating with questions of one’s own was an enjoyable but time-consuming business. So it was all too soon that the time for departure downhill to the railway station was upon us, to the second phase of the day’s entertainment.

 

 The W&LLR knows how to put on a good gala, and there was plenty to see at both ends of the line. As well as the newly-commissioned Zillertal loco there were steam lorries, a jazz band, numerous stalls, a real ale bar, a model railway exhibition and traction engines and steam rollers in sizes ranging from full to miniature. Several of these last toured the streets of Llanfair whilst we sat outside the chip shop consuming our tea. We idly pondered the legality of these manoeuvres, at the same time noting that even rollers can find hill starts a little tricky.

 

The return journey was punctuated by several stops for texting, photographing and even for a short nap, the better to tackle Liverpool’s mean streets as dusk fell. Driving through the Welsh Borders, with the low sun highlighting some particularly bosky scenery, is always a pleasure, particularly if someone else is doing the mechanical bits, allowing the passengers to either drift off into train-filled dreams or gaze out of the window at more shades of green than you thought could possibly exist. Except perhaps in Ireland.

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