Name: Peter Thompson (far right)
First layout: Holden St James; 1984
Favourite era: BR, 1955-1970, Eastern & Western Regions
Favourite Locomotive: How can you choose? GER Claud Hamilton, GWR Castle, BR 9F, LNER A1 probably top a list of many.
Occasionally, while operating at exhibitions, I hear a member of the public make the comment “It's just boys and their toys”, a truism that is hard to refute. Many of my friends have hobbies that began in their childhoods with toy vehicles, planes, boats, etc., that are now the real thing, as their time, cash and skills allow. In my case, it was railways. With a father working for BR and modelling GWR in 00, extensive travelling by train (courtesy of BR ‘priv’ prices) and seven years at a secondary…