Tobaz collectors’ fair reopens after Covid-19 hiatus

TOBAZ Promotions is bringing back its railway collectors' fairs to Burton-on-Trent town hall on November 6, following the easing of Covid restrictions, a move that will be welcomed by many railwayana collectors and railway enthusiasts generally, due to the event's mix of traders and private dealers selling a variety of railway related paperwork, ephemera and books.

Items on offer include public and working timetables, guides, maps, luggage labels, tickets, official publications, signalling notices and rule books, while photographs and postcards are another regular feature, as is railwayana that often includes badges, buttons, and whistles.

Tony Hillman and Barry Jones (Tobaz) held their first fair in Stafford in 1995, and ran 36 twice-yearly events there until March 2013, when their regular venue closed. In April 2014 they relocated to Burton town hall and held 12 fairs there until March last year, when the lockdowns brought them to a premature end.

The fair on November 6 will thus be the first for 20 months, with the doors opening at 10.30am and closing at 3.30pm. A return to two a year from next year is planned.