Coventry MES At Country Festival 2008

The Beautiful 5" Gauge 'Pansy Class' No5717 "Victoria"

The Country Festival (previously Town & Country Festival) was reheld this year at Stoneleigh Park following a one-year gap.The show,I must admit was a little smaller this year but still attracted MANY visitors! It was held over the weekend of August 24th-26th (bank holiday!). Attractions included Monster Truck Shows,Classic Cars,Fun Fair,Crafts,Food And Drink Hall, Celebrity Guests, Trade Stands,Model Exhibitions and much much more! As usual, Coventry Model Engineering Society (which I am a member of) exhibited at the show. I took along my 32mm (O Gauge) Lego Model Railway (for the interests of the younger visitors!) and my Wilesco Roller (to show off a simple and affordable steam engine).The stand also contained many 3.5" & 5" gauge locomotives as well as stationary engines,remote control vehicles,wagons,hot air engines, vacuum engines and informative displays.The centrepiece was a very impressive 7.25" Shay locomotive owned by one of the society's members.

My Lego Railway

Over the weekend many visitors took an interest in both the layout and the other items on the stand. One of the main points of interest in my opinion is that society keeps as many items "moving" as possible. Therefore at least 20 stationary engines were running on air and their were at least 5 different hot air engines to be seen in operation.The locomotives on display ranged from the 3.5" Gauge 0-4-0 'Sweet Violet' Class Saddle Tank to the 5" Gauge Pansy Class (57XX Pannier Tank) and then of course up to the 7.25" Shay.I attended all three days 9:45 until 5 (show times 9:30 until 6) as well as the Friday Night to set-up! It was a very long and draining weekend but good fun and very interesting as usual! Roll on Country Festival 2009! Well done CMES, another great stand!