Last weekend I took the Bure Valley Railway ‘boat train’ from Aylsham to Wroxham, enjoyed a boat tour of the Norfolk Broads, and took the train back again.

The Bure Valley Railway was originally a standard gauge line. It was interesting to travel under standard gauge bridges and past former standard gauge stations in a 15inch gauge train! My train was hauled by ‘Mark Timothy‘ a 2-6-4 tank engine based on a Leek and Manifold design. She has a charming colonial feel and a lovely exhaust note as she accelerates uphill.

By coincidence the Broadland Model Railway Club were holding their annual exhibition in Aylsham. Two layouts in particular caught my eye.

Bishops Lane Brewery by Colin French, a small ‘O’ gauge industrial layout that doesn’t have a single point. I really liked the idea, the detail and the weathering. It was a brave decision to create such…