The "Giant Miniature Weekend"...

"Saturday Parade" (Pic - Rick, Homestyal on Flickr)

Hi all. Today I arose at 6am for the first day of the "Giant Miniature Weekend" at Statfold Barn. It was an extremely busy day with 90 miniature engines in action! What a fantastic achievement by all of our exhibitors - I am so pleased. Today was spent as usual at the miniature do - running around, answering questions, lining things up, checking all is well and so on. All four of us - myself, Nick, Leanne & Phil - were busy beyond belief throughout the day. "GMW" is now at such a size that it requires a vast amount of staff and volunteers to execute it and we are grateful to everyone involved for their efforts. The Saturday whistle up, though the weather was dreary, was very impressive and extremely audible shall we say. Well done to all...

"Saturday Whistles" (Pic - Rick, Homestyal on Flickr)

The miniature engines were also out in force in the fields, trying out the concrete road. This running surface is pretty much perfect for them...

"On The Road" (Pic - Rick, Homestyal on Flickr)

Tram Car No14 was also in action, strutting its stuff on the tramway...

"Tram No14" (Pic - Rick, Homestyal on Flickr)

Five of the SBR steam locos were in service as planned - "Fiji" on Driver for a Fiver at Oak Tree and the other four on passenger trains. CSR No19 is captured in the yard between passenger workings, just outside the signalbox...

"HC No19" (Pic - Rick, Homestyal on Flickr)

New for "GMW" 2017 was the Roundhouse being open. This is really shaping up to be a fabulous narrow gauge museum now and is a testament to Statfold...

"The Statfold Barn Roundhouse" (Pic - Rick, Homestyal on Flickr)

As I say it was an extremely busy day for everyone involved but a really good start to "Giant Miniature Weekend". The weather men are promising much better things tomorrow so no doubt our turnout will be even greater...

This evening - after I had a very pleasant trip driving "Howard" on an Exhibitor Special - we had the party at the Roundhouse. Dr Busker performed once again from 8pm til' late and the whole evening was very well received by all. I was glad of the ploughing van bed tonight though I can tell you! For a video of the day, click here...