Fairlight Works

Official blog of the High Weald Light Railway (1977) Co. Ltd.

Amberley Rail Gala 2010

amberley exhibition industrial model-railways narrow-gauge

Simplex passing with a goods train

In what is becoming a bit of an annual ritual, at the weekend I took my daughter (3) to the excellent Rail Gala at Amberley Working Museum. Don’t worry, she enjoys it! Actually this year she showed a lot more interest in the model exhibits, having previously only had eyes for the “big” trains. The best (from her point of view) were the larger scales – both the regular 16mm live steam in the loco shed and the electrically powered scenic layout in the main shed. Perhaps good justification for a future project in the garden…

With the recent run of hot weather continuing it was surprising to hear the weekend’s visitor numbers were down on usual, although perhaps on such a sunny day people’s thoughts turn more towards a trip to the beach than an old chalk pit. For those who were there it certainly beat the drizzle that often seems to coincide with Gala weekend.

A well documented effect of bringing small offspring along is less opportunity to take pictures, so there isn’t much of a record from me, but a great day out in good company more than makes up for that.

If you do want to see more pictures, I can recommend Michael’s post on the layouts and the railway, and a further update from Chris Ford, whose OO9 layout Garn was in residence in the booking hall.