Thursday 7th May we arrived at Roy's, who was completing a couple of tasks, and we set about loading the van. Loading was completed around 16.00 and we headed off with myself and Roy in the van, with Roy driving, and Tony taking his car. We split the jouney with a couple of breaks finally reaching the Travelodge at Carlisle at 21.30. The only issue being we discovered the tressles did not like roundabouts however well they were secured, but luckily nothing was damaged.
Next morning we headed for Derby reaching there just before 16.00 but we had a bit of an issue finding the venue. At a set of traffic lights we managed to ask someone directions, which proved to be spot on and at the venue we were joined by Alisdair, Jim, Graeme, Angus and Simon. From the start of unloading to having something running took approximately two hours which I think was our best time to date. Time to finally sit back and relax, more so for Roy than anyone else, with a well earned curry and a few drinks.
Saturday saw the venue open to the public and was very busy, which was good to see. Saturday night's meal was at the venue and again it was time to sit back and enjoy the evening. Sunday was a more relaxed day which was only open to 2mm members and an offer was given to members to run their stock on Dunallander if they wished. We started to break down the layout at 15.00 and were back on the road again around 17.00 making our way to the Travelodge at Sedgfield for the night. We set off on our last leg of the journey back to Aberdeen on the Monday morning arriving back at 16.00 to start unloading.
All in all, although tiring, a very enjoyable weekend with plenty of laughs and it was great to meet up with the guys from the Forth and Clyde group again along with other members of the 2mm Society. It is now back to completing the layout, with our next scheduled outing in June 2027 at the Perth Model Railway exhibition. Below are some photographs taken at the event.
Van loaded up ready to go
Setting Up
Jim Watt's Caley Special
