Llanfair Garden Railway Gala

Llanfair Caereinion Leisure Centre

September 1st and 2nd. 2007

This show always seems to be the one talked about, the one not to be missed combining the magic of the Welshpool and Llanfair real steam railway with a good selection of model layouts to set minds thinking. There is even a free bus from Llanfair to the leisure centre. Although there is ample parking on site even if some of it  need a  hill climb to reach it. But there are plenty of really helpful  and friendly marshalls to help you in and out. Not to be confused with those who wave their arms at you as though you out in a car for the first time ever. There were special parking facilities for the disabled and also a separate entrance avoiding the entrance steps. I attended on Sunday and it was quieter than in previous years and as such wheelchair users were able to get around quite easy without too much fuss,unlike the catering trolley man. I understand it was harder on the Saturday when it was busier.

The entrance was six pounds for adults with the usual concessions and a family ticket for fourteen pounds. With fifteen different layouts and over thirty traders present you could not fail to find something of interest. There is always an air of mystery about this venue you turn a corner and up pops a trader or layout. All the space seems to be used from squash courts to gymnasium to main hall. Even the layouts produced had this magic touch as I was watching Timpden Lake I could hear this musc and lo and behold around came a three piece jazz band in a plank wagon.(sound unit niftily disguised in box car). Full marks for ingenuity. But my layout of the show had to be the G-Wizz layout with real planting and lots of colour and plenty of activity.

It is at these shows that you find that little something that adds to your own model world and I could not resist the little beach hut( pictured) from Pendlebury Models. A simple idea that really completes a scene. Perfect World are another company that provides those little extras from tea urns to plower tubs. You have to go to the shows to fire and capture your imagination.

Catering was reasonably priced and served  quickly and efficiently by helpful friendly staff. Although I think smoking should be banned from the outside terrace.

Rambling Roger 2007.