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The Bristol Show 2008
or
How two legs make a layout.
Some late editions have been added to this page, my thanks to Tall Tony T for the photos.
Setting Off/Up
So, the Thursday came around and plenty of willing hands to get loaded up for the show, thanks lads! You would have thought by now that we'd have made a check list for everything to be taken, well...we did...almost...sort of...if you know what I mean, sort of thing. Okay, we forget the legs for the layout this time and had to go back to Newport to get them! Mind you that was not the only problem. The area that had been marked out in the hall was 3 feet short of the measurement that we'd sent for the layout to fit in.
 The packers
Having taken The Youth Sections low flying jet to Bristol (sorry Officer I didn't see you there or I'd have slowed down!), we waited for the arrival of the van - driven by the chairman, who's first two initials happen to be the same as a well known F1 driver, sadly, thats where the similarity ends...you'll see what I mean.
So, we pinched a bit here, moved a bit there, used the space continuum theory to our advantage and lo and behold, the layout fitted. We set the layout up, levelled it and plumbed in the electrics. Thanks to Richard we know have a back up 'elecs tech' for exhibitions, this means that The Youth Section can stop panicking over things electrical.
Laying the boards, with the help of Uncle Don, who just happened to be passing this way for the weekend. Richard and The Youth Section get serious over electrics.
The layouts up, electrics are working, we've sorted the space problem, (remembered the lights as you can see) so time to add the detail that gets washed away on every layout move. Thanks to Paul and Dave for this. Sadly, this was the last time that our beloved aardvark was to be used, as shortly after it went up in smoke. A suitable burial date will be arranged and all are invited. Farewell dear aardvark...
Ohh, and if you are wondering how we get our layouts about, we use an LDV van, a rack, a cat and a long whip. Like this...
 Easy peasy...
Newport are now blessed with a lot of drivers for the layout, but not too many signallers, lots of volunteers for the fiddle yard and one or two who just love being busy elsewhere in the show...thanks to Tall Tony T for doing the lions share. Not everything was that uneventfull for him though. Tony T found some pictures of some boats that he sailed on a long...long time ago. Turns out that out local shipwright worked on one and an engineer of some renown worked on the other. Both boats sank shortly after, see if you can work who is who from this photo...
Here are some photos that I took of the volunteers who drove the engines on 'Hazelhurst' . To all who did this thanks very much, you did the club proud.
Don gets in on the action, quiet a relaxed driver, never gets upset.
Phil gets stuck in.
Thomas floats through another timetable, poor lad was not well and taking drugs as well...not that sort! Sorry about the picture, but if I make you bigger, you'll pixellate and we don't want that do we! Chris gives it his best shot and he can now join the youth section (this will bring the average age tumbling down!)
But, the star award for driving goes to...
If ever there is a competition for concentration, Ray you just won! Grim determination or what!!
The signallers have their own story to tell, as do the lads on the fiddle yard. Didn't always go well did it lads...
 Happy, happy, happy!
The problem with big layouts, is communication between one end and another. We've bought hand sets that are analogue and what interferes with analogue signals? ..a room full of little electrical motors buzzing around perhaps - do ya' think! So The Youth Section, ever mindfull of communication, set up a system of semaphore signals - nice solution mate!
Engine number 74, forward is on the front of this card. We run DCC on this layout so this is the dialing code for the engine. Of course some signallers got carried away with this idea..didn't you?
 Says it all, really!
Not everybody likes the new system, the chairman joined in on the fun though - so looks like its here to stay!
Of course, some of us get bored really easily, even when signalling a great layout.
A Fiddlers Tale or Two
Thomas and Phil did some sterling work on the fiddle yard, as did Jeff, Don and Richard. Well done lads backbone of any layout worth its salt!
 Phil and Thomas, Father and son...what a hobby!
The number of times these two pulled us out of a mess in the fiddle yard over the weekend where to numerous to count...whether these messes where of their own making is left to conjecture and applied cold tea! Still plenty of opportunities to get it right over the coming months, more of which later.
There's just one question I'd like to ask on the fiddle yard, is it number 70 or 77 we want moved...answers on a postcard.
The Layout
Not a lot of point in showing more layout piccys as they are already on another page on the website, ohh alright..here are a few taken from the show.
 Photo: Tall Tony TAlready then...let battle commence...
 Tall Tony T's masterpiece
 Photo: Tall Tony T
The Chairmans pride and joy,the coach traverser, still no tomato plants though...
 Another TYS production, sublime!
The M7 with the birdcage set. The 'P' doing it's thing.
One of the best comments overheard at the show, to the youth section..."like your pannier, very realistic".
Won't feel so guilty now about not fixing the weathering! Day of the Triffids relived on the station..run for it everyone! I think some careless use of agent orange could be called for here! The Chairman has done an outstanding job on the signals, though temporary fixing accounts for the lean.
 Photo: Tall Tony TTall Tony T's engines, this impressive 47 would probably tow the whole layout - given the opportunity! Photo: Tall Tony TRay Widger's rather splendid 56xx, a first for Ray, it runs and it's finished, but what I want is a finished 3f, back to the drawing board...
Just to show that people did attend our layout, fortunately the riot police were not needed (this time), the cold water cannon was not required either and the crowd dispersed quietly after a while.
Odds and Sods
Not everything went according to plan, as usual there are in inevitable goofs and gaffs and unexplained failures. But, why oh why are they always caught on camera.
 B****r!
The Youth Section gave signalling lessons, for those who wanted them, the rest of us went slightly deaf at this particular invitation. So well done Tom for trying to work it out. The psychiatric treatment does not go on for long, so your parents won't have to worry too much.
 Can ya tell what it is yet!
The genius quietly gets on with fixing another problem, thanks for everything you've done. Your commitment and enthusiasm are an inspiration to us all, just cock something up once in a while to show us you are from this part of the universe!
See, this is what happens when you mix up your numbers...are you sure that it's number 70?
 Photo: Tall Tony TCan you see whats' wrong with this picture? Yep, Big Bill working on, well anything really!
As stated in pages elsewhere on this website, our Secretary would be having some major surgery, well I'm sorry to report that the surgery has succeeded. Yes, folks the Secretary is back with us...Dave, you owe me a tenner! (club sweep stake)...and just to prove you can't keep a good man down, heres a picture of TFC instead.
 Having had both hips replaced TFC gets to grips with his next project...careful with that finger!
Good to see you up and about, even for a short time. S'pose you'll be back at the club before too long then...
My grateful thanks to everyone associated with Hazelhurst, a massive effort, that has paid off in spades. Next outing for the layout is Guildex in September 2009, then Basingstoke March 2010 (confirmation permitting) and back to Bristol in May that year. If you would like to join in the fun then why not drop us a line, just go to the contacts page on the website. That's it more fun next year!
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