We had decided in 2010 that we would go to Truck and Tracks which is held at the Leas Hall in Folkestone. Before the appointed news arrived that “The Show’s been cancelled” but after some time the gap had been filled and an alternative show which was to be put on called On Track so we decided to go.
The day started well for me as I forgot to reset the alarm and woke half an hour late. So after a rushed ablutions and a cuppa my wife and I headed for the agreed meeting place at Sleaford. Andy and I then set off on the now familiar trek south and on the journey we put the world to rights as well as refuelling the car and ourselves. Brekkie baps were just like the poster and tasted damn good even if I had to search the whole restaurant for the brown sauce before Mr Brown managed to extract a coupe of sachets from the staff. The journey passed very quickly and three and a half hours from our start saw us walking into the show.
The Leas is on several levels with most of the traders in the main hall. The competition was on the upper floor balcony but I found the lighting a little poor. As the morning wore on the tables filled up with all sorts of models till that part of the show was closed for the judging.
Their was a good selection of traders and some good deals were on offer as well as some discounts although the one thing I wanted above all else was some paints and unbelievably I found none on offer.
The building is built on the cliff side so as usual we decided to take lunch on the balcony overlooking the sea. This being February we braved the drizzle/rain and sat in an alcove made by the windows. Only the Brits would do this.
After lunch we then walked round and had a long talk with the First World War gamers and admired the painting of the figures and equipment in such a small scale. Also a stand which caught my eye was the Nottingham branch of MAFA who had some very nicely built and finished armour models.
The competition having been judged we spent some time looking at a collection of nice models which covered all aspects of the model scene. See pictures for a selection of the models. The best of show was a small scale Model of a Jagdtiger which was on a trailer, being towed by a Famo halftrack.
We collected a few purchases and then headed back to the car park with others who had bags of treasures to pore over and build in the coming months.
I’d like to say the trip back was uneventful but with the Sat-Nav voice turned off and yours truly supposedly keeping an eye for the turnings we missed the M11 and then the A1 but we did eventually get on the right road before stopping on the way back for a coffee and a shared cake. My excuse was I thought the pilot had the route but as their were no colours on the road (as in air routes) we had little or no chance
Well in conclusion we both had a good time and I have to say the organisers did a great job in a short time getting the show off the ground. The place was never over-busy, but the aisles always had people walking round and some were actually parting with their cash. As said some of the models were excellent both in the competition and on the club stands.
Next year it’s hopefully back to Truck and Tracks.
Bill C.