Fairlight Works

Catching up with an old friend

Last weekend we took the Narrow Planet trade stand to Narr-O in Merstham – a small show held by the Surrey group of the 7mm NGA which had a friendly “open day” type feel familiar from 009 events. As well as seeing some great modelling, often works in progress too, the relaxed atmosphere of these small exhibitions is also good for the social side of the hobby – or in other words you’ll spend most of the day talking.

One particular highlight for me was the chance to see Cranbrook again – I sold this O16.5 layout a few years ago and it’s been taken on by Paul Davies who has been carrying out some scenic repairs. Paul is also an excellent scratchbuilder so was showing some of his own stock with the layout.

The Hudswell-Clarke diesel in particular was a treat. Not just a lovely model but also exactly the type of machine that might have been used on the HWLR in the later stages of the railway’s life.

I didn’t actually get a chance to take any of my own photos, so my thanks go to Michael Campbell for his permission to re-use some of his. You can see a few more – and other layouts from the show – at his Flickr gallery.

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