Full steam ahead for toy and train show

For toy enthusiasts from across the West Midlands a Walsall collectors’ fair has become an unmissable event.

Walsall couple Geoff Price and his wife Linda have just organised their 90th Toy and Train Collectors Fair.

Around 450 toy enthusiasts joined dealers at the Oak Park Leisure Centre in Walsall Wood.

There were around 60 stands featuring toy cars, buses, motorbikes and trains.

Toys at the fair included a James Bond Aston Martin dating back to 1966 and a Plymouth Belvedere Dinky toy from the 1950’s.

One of the dealers was Derek Nathaniel of Aldridge who brought along a Hornby Kingclass Locomotive from the 1960’s.

He said: “These events are always very popular and very enjoyable. It is great to see such a choice of toys on show to purchase. It is the toy collector’s dream.”

Mr Price, from Newquay Road, Park Hall, organises toy and collectors fairs throughout the year through his company Transtar Promotions and currently holds the world record for model buses with his collection of more than 10,000.

He said the event had been a huge success once again.

He said: “We had around 450 people turn up. We thought the credit crunch may have an effect, but by the amount of people buying and selling it doesn’t appear to have had any effect at all.

“It was another very successful event.”

Mr Price and his wife have been organising the event since 1991 and it has continued to grow.

It moved to Oak Park Leisure Centre a few years ago due to increasing visitor numbers.