The Show Must Go On

Saturday just gone was the the annual AGM and Convention for the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association in Burton-upon-Trent. A handy ten minute drive away from me so my local exhibition. It’s a staple in my calendar having first gone as a 16 year old when held in Nottingham when my Dad and I took the bus in and I joined the Association. Being involved in the Association’s Trent Valley Area Group I’ve been involved in the organising of the show for ever since I can remember. This year would be different, no involvement in the show, just helping out with Neil’s Elsbridge layout. Well that was plan A….

One of the first things discussed with Neil’s widower Dan was to honour Neil’s booking at the show and one which I didn’t hesitate to agree to.

Following agreement with Dan, ten days before the show, Mike, Simon and I dismantled Elsbridge and moved it to my garage. Once set up, which meant we discovered how to take it apart and put it back up again, the track was tested, given a thorough clean and to my relief everything worked first time. 

Next up we unpacked the locos. Three steam tram locos and a back up Manning Wardle, they all worked fine too. Finally we put together sufficient rolling stock and were as ready as we were ever going to be. 

With the car all loaded, and reminding me why such a compact layout was so good for exhibiting, we headed over to Burton in good time. 

Set up went well and we were soon ready to go just as the shutters were up and the bacon cobs were ready. 

After a quick look round, opening time was upon us and we started running trains. The layout operated faultlessly all day and received many favourable comments. Simon and I were joined by Chris and Andy as operators. The tram locos shuffled about, much tea and some beer was drunk, we each got to look round the show a bit and the day passed with many discussions about Neil with old friends of us both. 

Mid afternoon I was called away from the layout. When packing the stock for the show I’d included Neil’s last built fourth tram car in the stock box despite being unable to run due to not being fitted with DCC and sound. Seemed a shame to leave in in the stock box so despite being a standard gauge loco, just before opening time I’d taken it round and entered it into the modelling competition. Neil’s tram car had only gone and won the Don Mason Shield for scratchbuilt locos. A great achievement and there was a slight lump in my throat whilst collecting the Shield because Neil would’ve been so proud to have won. 

Soon enough it was time to pack up, make the short drive home and collapse in a heap with a cold beverage or three. 

Think it’s safe to say that we did Neil proud and my thanks go to Simon, Mike, Chris and Andy for help making it happen. I couldn’t have done it without them. 

Neil intended Elsbridge to mainly be a home based layout which had the potential to be exhibited occasionally as he felt fit. Something that we intend to do where we are able and when we have recovered from this one. 

Some photos of the Elsbridge taken during pauses in operation.