The remarkably successful Uckfield show, which unusually didn't not have me saying never again at the close. Remarkable also it being a two day show. Technically that be it. There is nothing in the book now save a couple of unfirmed enquiries, which ties nicely up with me mooting that that would be it. I may be softening a little after last weekend, but I'm reminded that this did not involve a long drive, a super early rise and was a relatively easy get-in. Now what?
As predicted, there are less shows post Covid and those that are still strong are subtly changed with many of the familiar faces quietly absent. This throws up all sorts of questions of the what if and why bother variety. There is also the every present age question. I've basically called it a day with 4mm narrow gauge; the reasons for this are two-fold: the first is the age/size/reliability aspect, the second is the steady rise of quality RTR in 009. I note that even some of the previously pure high-quality exhibition layouts have fallen into the 'easy RTR' trap with the equivalent of a Cornish branch running J15s. Yes I am old school and a bit wedded to the whitemetal kit or build it yourself mentality, not build a FR layout and run L&B coaches on it (see last month's RM piece on forcing the loading gauge down so this couldn't happen). The direction is for the minute, standard gauge and 4mm, with 7mm on the horizon for me. With three initial projects and more to follow. This is very much a tight budget way of thinking, hell-bent of only using what is in the cupboard and only purchasing to fill critical gaps in material. The 7mm may take a couple of unexpected turns, but that is the way it's headed, and this all comes under the Project 70 banner; something I had to explain the other day (!). There are two layouts on the circuit, I can take my time.
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