TADLEY SHOW REPORT - OCTOBER 2006
The Tadley Show is a model and craft show, held at the Hurst Community School, Tadley nr. Basingstoke.
The day was dry but not too sunny, so the large windows in the Gymnasium where Southdown stood were not causing a problem with the heat, but there was only just enough lighting to freeze some of the trains on film without the flash. As usual, a double click on the photos will enlarge each one....
First
things first, the committee discuss the roster (tea and coffee roster) with the
management to ensure driver fuel is accurately and properly dispensed.
Management can be seen to be in agreement as always, resistance would be futile.
An
early morning train from the South calls at Lovedean for parcels, milk and other
necessities. The platform is filling up already, but this is not their passenger
train so they must wait a while. The engine is a visitor from the L&B. Lyn has a
heavy train this morning, driver Pete will need to exercise great care to avoid
wheelslip on leaving.
Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, a train bound for the distillery slips past with empty tankers, ready for another load of precious cargo.
As
the morning sun rises, the newspaper shop advertises the Tadley Show, and a
local resident collects her paper and provisions.
Work
begins at the loco works, the repairs to No.7 are almost complete, just a little
more welding and a check on the oil boxes.
Passengers
are served at last by a suburban shuttle, bound for the larger towns no doubt,
but with room at the rear for some hardy souls who will be pleased the weather
is being kind today.
A
loco has recently changed ownership within the Southdown circles - this Merlin
took part in driver training today, before being given charge of a goods train.
More
discussion. "I'm sure that engine needs a wipe over with an oily rag."
"You got one?" "Yep!" "Well you wipe it over then......."
Tsk.
Life goes on....... I'm sure that's the same log.......
The
old scrapyard is a bit short on scrap these days. Maybe too much attention is
being paid to other pursuits?