Phil Gillam: Exhibition signals revival of one of my favourite memories

I was on a mission.

I strode with purpose, enjoying the blue sky, the freshness of the air, the swans on the river, the trees on the opposite bank.

And then my journey took me out of the sunshine and into the dimness; tarmac pavement giving way to black cobbles, and a train thundering overhead as I walked through the darkness of the arches beneath the railway station.

It was the July of 1970 and I was 13, heading along the riverside towards the English Bridge to visit Hobby Specialists, Shrewsbury’s premier model shop at the bottom of Wyle Cop, to pick up my main birthday present: a Triang-Hornby train set, all nicely wrapped up in brown paper and string, ready for me to collect.

I can’t tell you how excited I was.

Out from under the station bridge and back into glorious brightness.

Passing the weeping willows near to the English Bridge, I knew I was just moments away from picking up my train set, perhaps the best birthday present I’d had up to that point in my life, perhaps one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever had!

It was such a thrill to take receipt of this brown-paper-wrapped package and then walk back with it - all the way along the riverside again - on such a memorable afternoon.

Fast-forward getting on for half a century and I’m pretty excited to see that a Shrewsbury Model Railway Show is to take place this coming October.

I fully expect the show to conjure up many a great memory for me - and doubtless I’ll be more than a little bit tempted to “get into” model railways all over again.

Promoters Chantilly Grey (bespoke and creative pop-up events - and the people behind the Shrewsbury Steampunk Spectacular in March) will be hosting the event at the United Reformed Church at Coleham Head from 10am through to 4pm on Saturday, October 20.

Family friendly

Let’s hear what they have to say about it:

"This is the first show of its kind in Shrewsbury in many a year and is already very eagerly anticipated by local enthusiasts and those new to the hobby who want to pop along and hopefully catch the model railway bug! We are billing the event as a very family friendly orientated show.

"Admissions will be £4 for adults, £2 for children and under 5’s free! We will be offering guests the chance to win tickets leading up to the event, so please check our Facebook Page for details.

"We have secured a variety of layouts in various gauges and are calling them our ‘Fabulous Fifteen!’ We have been overwhelmed with enquires from Exhibitors who want to take part and if we could physically fit anymore in we would have done! Complimenting the layouts we have a number of excellent traders offering a wide choice of stock

"The “Whistle Stop” Café will also be on hand to serve refreshments and a selection of breakfast and lunchtime faire.

"It will be a fabulous day out for all, a number of activities will be available for the young model train fan to entertain and our show guide programme will full of interesting articles and will make for a great read following the event.”

Honestly. I can’t wait for this show!

No question about it, it will bring back that afternoon in the summer of 1970 when a much younger version of myself picked up – I’ll tell you exactly what it was – a Triang-Hornby Freightmaster train set, comprising a large oval of track, a Shell petrol tank wagon, a cattle wagon, a horse box, a brake van, a goods wagon with drop sides, a container wagon, and - best of all - a Class 31 Brush (Type 2) diesel locomotive in British Rail blue and with inter-city logo.

Heaven in a cardboard box!

Bring on the Shrewsbury Model Railway Show!