Tuesday 28 March 2017

A Jolly Good Show

Well the Sussex Downs 009 Group Show at Lancing went really well. Though I don't know why it's taken me over a week to get around to reporting it...

We had an excellent selection of layouts. We were privileged to have Ted Polet visit us again from the Netherlands, this time with his Creag Dhubh Summit extension to his well known 009 layout.

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Compass Point (also 009) by Chris O’Donoghue is proving a popular layout on the exhibition circuit, and won the "Best in show" award as voted by the public.

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Tony Peart brought his newly finished Pentre Uchaf, inspired by mid-Wales lines such as the Kerry and Corris it has both slate and timber traffic, a zig-zag, countryside running, and an eclectic collection of locos.

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Vale Quarry Preservation Society is the latest 009 layout from John Bruce, another of his small, simple, but very atmospheric models.

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Phil Savage's Talynog (009) is much older, unashamedly a "Rabbit Warren" design, but packs prototype inspiration and proper operation into a small space, with much character.

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There were more unusual layouts too, set on a German North-Sea island, Morroco, and the deserts of Sudan - as in Tokar by Peter White:

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I could go on - they were all cracking layouts. I even took my own Thakeham Tiles along. But I'll suggest you browse the album of photos for more.

There was good trade support too, and the ever popular 009 Society sales stand, while Chris and Karen did a great job with the catering. Most importantly, there was a good vibe to the event, lots of familiar faces (and many new ones too), and people seemed to enjoy themselves - and that, surely, is what it's all about?

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