On a dry – and sometimes even sunny – day we assembled at the Hoffnant Valley Railway. With two independent running circuits, challenging gradients, and a picturesque and well thought-out quayside with sidings and passing loops, it is a line with huge operating potential. Three or four trains ran almost constantly – mostly 16mm scale, plus a 1:32 Talyllyn loco, a mix of battery and live steamers. Constantly, that is, except when the operators took a break for a very delicious lunch of quiches, salads and cakes!