One of the places I had considered for the trip, but that didn’t really fit into the plans, was a visit to The Wonder Works, the Hornby Group’s exhibition and shop. Having checked on the map I found it wasn’t too far from Hythe and the thought of sitting in the car with the air con on was quite appealing so that decided it! It did mean I could also have a lazy start as I didn’t need to leave the hotel very early.
It was interesting, and the exhibition side is well laid out with sections for each of their main brands (Hornby, Airfix, Scalextric, Corgi) giving the history, how it’s made, etc. There’s some hands on stuff as well for the kids to play with - it was well worth the entry fee (of £2.50 as a concession). What I hadn’t expected to see there was a Banksy artwork!
Valentine’s Day Mascara
It was painted/installed in Margate in 2023 and is now displayed securely in the visitor centre cafe. After coffee and cake, and dodging road closures, I fulfilled another totally trivial wish, to photograph the Ham Sandwich Sign.
It could do with a clean!
The sign wouldn’t have been too far off my route anyway but I probably drove an extra 3 miles only to find that the road closure was beyond the sign from where I started.
Having got back to the hotel I did go for the mooch round the town, mainly to get lunch. I’d noticed an antiques emporium that was open Friday and Saturday so thought I’d have a look round; one of the stalls was selling model railway bits so I investigated, and bought a picture! She had 4 large framed photographs of derelict engines at Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, the source of many of today’s restored engines*, at £5 each. After a good look and consider I picked one as I’ve been planning to change the pictures at home, then had to cart it back to the hotel - I managed with it wedged between my feet and holding on with one hand while driving with the other.
For my last night I’d booked a table in the hotel restaurant, the Belly Pork was lovely and the selection of Kent and Sussex cheeses were excellent (and just the right quantity). Tomorrow it’s back home but I’ve got one stop planned.
*Many (but contrary to some claims not all by any means) steam locos were sent to Barry for scrapping. They also had a contract for disposing of freight wagons and brake vans which were far easier and more lucrative to deal with so engines were left to rot. Over time a number of them** were secured for restoration and are running today, including 76017, the Class 4 that hauled us on the Kent & East Sussex a few days ago. Approximately 50% of the preserved BR locos today were saved from Barry.
**213 were saved but not all restored, some were used as parts donors and others were never completed.
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