I never cease to be impressed by how well it is organized and the team responsible deserve all the plaudits we can throw at them. Unlike so many exhibitions, Guildex is always so spacious that one can be forgiven for thinking that the place is empty. Nevertheless, I spent a great deal of time talking with people whom I had not seen for a year or so but still managed to miss many.
With some 140 traders and over a dozen layouts there was much to see and a weekend is hardly time to do the whole thing justice. I took time out on the Sunday to photograph many of the layouts. The pictures that follow simply represent my own personal favourites (prejudices?) that caught my eye and imagination.
Apethorn Junction
A busy and interesting idea with an eclectic range of trains running. They ran a quite intensive service and usually had a good crowd in attendance. The first picture shows a train being reversed into the siding. An excellent example of a combination of good track work and and consistant standards for stock.
Back to topAston Road
Mike William's evocative portrayal of Birmingham (my home town as it happens) in the 1950/6's was interesting.
In
the 1950's one could catch fish in locks such as this and I often did.
Back to topBarmouth Bridge
What a magnificent piece of modelling this is, which allows an unprecedented (in my view) opportunity to run trains from the 1900's to the present day. The close up views of the girder work illustrate a high degree of craftsmanship.
The
last picture shows a train clearly breaking the speed limit!Back to top
Casterbridge
Based upon Dorchester LSWR it is interesting from an operational point of view since passenger trains in service really did reverse into the platform.
Back to top
Dainton Bank
The first Guildex I ever attended featured a layout called 'Holiday Haunts' and I spent a great deal of time just watching the trains go by. Dainton Bank is a worthy successor.
Weydon Road
The track work here looked very realistic, probably down to the fact it was designed using Templot, but then I'm biased! However, I thought the lighting pillars at the front spoiled the view.
Back to top