The Doncaster show is another of those shows that goes in the diary, but I never get motivated to go to.
This year a number of layouts that I like were there, so I thought I would give it a go, especially since I could combine it with a couple of other visits.
The shuttle bus was packed, and the queues were outside the building, justifying getting a ticket in advance.
Once inside, I was immediately greeted by Phil Parker, whose latest layout was attracting a lot of attention. It always surprises me when someone like Phil remembers me.
It appealed to a lot of people as something they could build themselves, but it was also a big hit with children who were content to just watch the train run by. I guess it is something about large scale narrow gauge that children find charming.
The main floor was unpleasantly crowded, especially around the sales stands. I suppose that is a good sign, though I'm not sure how much money was changing hands.It also made photography challenging, although my latest camera, the Fuji X100vi, did quite a good job. Like the Leica, it isn't the obvious choice for this sort of work but it is nowhere near as heavy. I always feel that I buy a lot of cameras, but they all have their uses, and they do all get a lot of use.
Before the show, some people had noted the lack of a tram layout, but the large diorama of Blackpool was one of the first things I saw. In fact, it is only part of a much larger scene. The buildings were very impressive, especially the base of the tower and Pricebusters, which, growing up in Blackpool, I knew much better as Woolworths.
Richmond was very popular, with a lot of people genuinely struggling to come to grips with it being N gauge, given the level of detail.
The N gauge layouts seemed to be intriguing a lot of people, a sign that the quality was much better than the usual token N gauge layout some exhibition managers book.
I have always liked Wolfe Lowe, even more so since I've moved to Knotty territory.
Branston & Heighington and Braughing & Standon were both attractive 4mm layouts
I was very taken with Market Bosworth, but again, the crowds got in the way of my photography, so I didn't get a picture.
BSC Orgreave appealed to me as a simple micro layout, and looked very achievable for the average modeller. Whilst not a micro itself I could see how Stern Point might inspire one.
As with N gauge, it was good to see narrow gauge represented by layouts based on a real prototype. Llanfair 1937 is a personal favourite and most of us are familiar with Dduallt
I suppose the layout that I liked the most was the S gauge Trowland. It was very reminiscent of Butley Mills.
I finished with another long chat to Phil, and Mr
Tramfabriek .
I gave up on the catering facilities, again because of the crowds, but I did make a few small purchases for the N gauge projects.
And then I took the short walk to the South Yorkshire Aviation Museum. More to follow on that, but I had no idea how much they have on display.
It is hard to judge a show like this. Obviously it is very popular, and the standard of layouts was high, but somehow it didn't excite me the way Stafford did, Perhaps that is because I already knew a lot of the layouts, but the crowds came into it, complete with BO and backpacks. Leaving photography aside, viewing layouts was difficult, and I had to see most of them from the "wings." And I do really like to be able to grab some food at a show without it taking a big chunk out of the day, even if it is just a burger from a van.
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