The Editor
BRIEF ENCOUNTERS AT BRISTOL

MEWS’ visit to Bristol this year was a short one. Mrs Editor broke a kneecap a few days earlier leaving Mr Editor as chief cook and bottle washer. So it was good to escape for a couple of hours and, as ever, enjoy the Bristol show, and catch up with at least some visitors, not least Ivan Law, back mobile after breaking a leg.

As usual, the show had a theme to add interest. This time it was to commemorate 50 years since the death of the great Lillian Lawrence, previously Morris Benjamin, previously William Mathieson, better known to all as ‘LBSC’ or ‘Curly’ to those he met.

Curly-designed locomotives were to be found everywhere in the three exhibition halls examples (working rather than display) of many of the 112 designs he published, all described with great charm as ‘words and music’. Many were designed in 2.5” gauge, and the National 2.5” Gauge Association stand included, among others Ayesha (photo above)bristol 17, of Battle of the Boilers fame, and progenitor of home workshop built locos.

Another display was by the Bulleid Builders Group designer of those great engines of the last few decades of steam on the Southern Railway. As usual at Bristol, there were also some stunning models in Meccano including a brilliant 9’ long warship.

Bristol always includes the full range of model engineering and modelling, another reason for its success. Something for everyone, from model yachts to gas turbines, from I/C engines to Meccano, traction engines to model railways and remote control trucks to model ploughs. And, of course, a full range of club and trader stands. We hope that next year will allow us a full day there.

Meanwhile, here are our snaps from 2017.

Click on photo to enlarge and download for larger still. Or play ‘slideshow’.