Chuffing toot! – it’s Warley 2018

I’ve just returned from a model railway exhibition. Up until now, I’d never attended one before. Mainly because I didn’t really know that model railway exhibitions existed until recently. I knew that model railways existed, just not the exhibitions.

Model railways, in my head, was the hobby taken up by nice older gentlemen called Malcolm who lovingly pour great amounts of their time into creating and tinkering with railway layouts in the privacy of their own sheds and attics, on the pretence of “building something for the grandchildren to enjoy”. Which, as we all know, is just a massive excuse to play with miniature trains all day long. And perhaps, on the odd occasion, when no one is listening, make chuffing and tooting noises when the locos start running.

However, after attending a model railway exhibition, I can confirm that model railways is indeed a hobby largely taken up by nice older gentlemen called Malcolm who lovingly create and tinker with their railway layouts in their own sheds and attics, but without the need for any pretence whatsoever. They also do not need any excuse to make chuffing and tooting noises, and will gladly make chuffing and tooting noises in front of anybody and everybody.

And do you know what? I’m so glad that they do, as I have discovered that model railways is a fantastic interest to pursue, and should be celebrated as a worthwhile activity. It brings joy and entertainment to the creators, the users and the viewers, and that is certainly not a bad thing.

York + Trains = Beards?

Spot the beard!

York is famous for quite a few things: it was a Roman fort; has Viking heritage; is full of delightful little alleyways and passages crammed with charming cafés, restaurants and gift shops that attempt to fleece foreign tourists with key rings and tea towels proclaiming a love for London; has a majestic Minster, or Cathedral, which shamelessly grabs people’s money by charging an obscene £10 per adult for entry, even though it’s a public building. (A quick tip: to bypass this fee, take part in one of the daily services, which are free to attend, where they may encourage you to live a life devoid of sin, like being greedy for example).