We're begining the count down in the Club, with lots of activity …  building extra barrier supports, mapping out the hall, and starting to  give you a preview of the layouts, traders, societies and demonstrators.

Traders preview
Two of our regular traders are Book Law and Coastal DCC.

Book Law  keep a huge range of trailway and other transport books … but they  can only bring a limited selection with them. So if you have something  specific you want to buy, it's always best to give them a call to  pre-order it, for collection at the exhibition - this saves you postage!
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/book-law-publications/

Coastal DCC  stock equipment by Lenz, TCS, Digitrax, Zimo and ESU/Loksound. Their  experience with DCC comes from using it on their own layouts, so they  have a real practical insight into using DCC systems.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/coastal-dcc/

Layout preview:
Banbury (2mm N gauge) - Modern Image

Banbury  station lies on a busy cross country route between Birmingham and  Didcot, where it joins the Great Western Mainline. The Chiltern Railways  mainline towards London Marylebone diverges a few miles South at Aynho  Junction.


Layout preview:
Ferring (4mm, P4) - Pre-Group, LBSCR

Ferring  is the terminus of a fictional branch off the Brighton to Portsmouth  line near Goring, Sussex, set in 1911. This makes the layout very nearly  a 'local' line. We try to portray typical L.B.S.C.R. practise of the  time and to capture a ‘Brighton’ atmosphere; most of the buildings are  based on real ones.



Demonstrators & Societies

Demonstrators include Jerry Clifford who will once again, be showing some of his exquisite 2mm Finescale models.
The  EM Gauge Society is  a UK based international society created to  promote and cater for railway modellers working to a scale of 4mm/ft  with a track gauge of 18.2mm - come and ask us any questions you have  about this finescale gauge society, and what we have to offer modellers.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-demonstrators-societies/

Getting to the exhibition
Full  details for getting to the exhibition by public and private transport  are on the Club website. The Show Guide is free, and contain information  about layouts and traders, and there are some special offers from some  of the traders.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/

David,


Yours is always a lovely exhibition with great quality layouts. I always look forward to it and have a thoroughly enjoyable day there. Unfortunately some of us from Southampton MRS will not be there this year. I regret to say that Mr Barker has booked Ackthorpe at the Wakefield Show meaning that at least 6 of us will be 200 miles away! The upside is that I wil not be driving and I can have a beer. I will of course raise a glass in your direction and wish you a successful day.


To anyone else reading this; make the effort and go. Top show. Ferring is a complete delight and worth the trip in its own right.

Thanks for the message Mark. I believe Mr Barker has been ticked off about that by members of our Committee, as they had been hoping he'd be along to help!

We were busy in the Club room last night building some more supports  for our barriers - we'd run out last year. Had a chat with the compiler  of the Show Guide … he has most of the information he needs, and will  be creating the frist draft in the next few days.

Traders preview
Today, I'll mention a regular trader at the exhibition, The Model Shop (Portsmouth), and a new trader for this year, Tim Horn (baseboards).

The Model Shop  have moved premises since last year, and a major benefit to shoppers is  that there is a free car park just behind the shop.For those of you who  know Portsmouth, this is a great asset! As well as bringing a selection  of items to the show, their advertisement in this year's Show Guide  inclused a 15% off voucher for purchases at their shop. You can also  place orders with them for collection at the show … but please get  those orders in early to avoid dissappointment.
 https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/model-shop-portsmouth/

Tim Horn  is well know as the maker of top quality baseboards, among other  things. His range of boards goes beyound the usual flat retangular  offerings of other suppliers, so if you need new baseboards, his stand  will be well worth the visit.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/tim-horn/

Layout preview:
End of the Line (7mm 0 gauge) - early 60s coal mining

In  addition to the excellent 0 gauge modelling, the line includes a 2ft  narrow gauge line bringing the coal from the pit to the distribution  centre … with working tippers! While some of the coal is taken away by  rail, there are also some radio controlled lorries handling local  distribution. We expect End of the Line to be very popular on the day.
 


Layout preview
Hope-under-Dinmore (4mm EM gauge) - pre-Grouping LNWR and GWR

Hope  is currently our Club's largest operational layout (that crown will be  taken by Eastwood when that arrives in 2019). Hope is a traditional  'roundy-roundy' layout, with lots of trains to watch, and the occasional  shunting operation in the goods yard. Virtually all the stock has been  built or converted from kits, many of which are no longer available. It  is a Club favourite because operating it is so enjoyable. Will you spot  the Layout Manager taking the permanent way train up the branch (again)  when it should be on the main line?



Demonstrators and Societies

Roger Sawyer  is a regular demonstration at our Exhibition, and he'll be here again  showing how straightforward soldering is. Come along and be prepared to  have a go.
The Scalefour Society will be  represented this year by members of the Southwark Bridge Group. The  Society is more that just an advocate for the 18.83mm track gauge -  members have access to resources useful for every 4mm modeller. Come  along and have a chat.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-demonstrators-societies/

Getting to the exhibition
Full  details for getting to the exhibition by public and private transport  are on the Club website. The Show Guide is free, and contain information  about layouts and traders, and there are some special offers from some  of the traders.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/

Event and thread link added to main calendar  here
 Cheers

Matt

David,


Mr Barker is not on this forum so we can say what we like about him! Don't hold back; I will not say a dickie bird as I am not a grass!

This year's Exhibition will probably be known in the Club as "The  Year of the Knees". The Committee has, between them, only 50% of the fit  and funtioning knees they should have. I think it might be a ploy to  avoid the heavy lifting!

Don't forget - if you're  coming to the Exhibition on the 17th, and you want to pre-order  something from any of our traders, you need nto get that order in  quickly to avoid being disappointed.
 
Traders Preview
In the preview today we welcome a new trader, Frome Model Centre, and a long-time supporter of the Show, London Road Models.

Frome Model Centre are  one of the largest and independent family-run model shops in the  country. They can't possible bring everything to the Show, so please ask  them if there's something particular you'd like them to bring.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/frome-model-centre/

London Road Models  has a large range of 4mm etched loco kits, most with their origin in  the pre-Group era - many are not available anywhere else. Of course,  many of these loco survived through the Grouping period into BR  ownership. They also have many other kits including coaches and wagons.  They are also the only UK supplier of Resistance Soldering Irons.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/

Layout Preview:
Fulton Terminal (3.5mm HO gauge) - 1950s Eastern USA

Fulton  Terminal was situated on the East River and operated by the New York  Dock Railway. It was one of a large number of similar rail terminals,  around the Upper New York Bay and Hudson River area, all connected by  the river. The model is set in the mid-1950s.



Layout Preview:
Horselunges (4mm P4 gauge) - Sussex Light Railway

Not  far from the bottom edges of the Sussex Weald lies the Dicker Tramway, a  small independent light railway connecting the brick kilns of Dicker  with the market town of Owlsham. An intermediate station serving the  market town of Horselunges along with its flour mill and a private  industrial siding form the subject of the scene depicted.



Demonstrators & Societies

Demonstrators include Roy Hickman,  a regular demonstrator of scenic modelling. Be prepared to have a go  yourself - allow plenty of time for everyone in your party to make  something to take home … a favourite with the children.

MERG  is the Model Electronics Railway Group and is an international club for  anyone interested in using electronics to control a model railway and  reap the benefits of reduced wiring, more controllability and reduced  costs of the electronics. They have a number of demonstration units, and  can explain all about assembling the MERG boards.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-demonstrators-societies/

Getting to the exhibition
Full  details for getting to the exhibition by public and private transport  are on the Club website. The Show Guide is free, and contain information  about layouts and traders, and there are some special offers from some  of the traders.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/

We're into the last two weeks before the exhibition … and the Committee is getting the usual pre-match nerves - they think they've thought of everything!

This  is a good time to remind visitors that the excellent catering put on by  'Trig' in the school's kitchen, is only available between 12 noon and  1:30pm - each year there are people who have got so engrossed in the  exhibition that they forget the early close of the catering. However,  drinks and snacks are still available in the 'Bridge' (just along from  the catering), and there are several food outlets in Ocean Park,  including a new M&S Food Hall.

There is a  little 'Blue Badge' parking in front of the school - if you don't have a  Blue Badge, please don't park in these spaces.

Time is running out for pre-show orders, so get your order-for-collection in soon.

Please  also note that a number of the advertisers in this year's Show Guide  will be offering discounts for limited periods after the Exhibition, but  only on production of the Guide.

Traders Previewed:

This year's traders (who haven't been mentioned before) include C&L, Falcon Masterpiece Models, MRD (Model Railway Developments), Penbits, Rumney Models, and Squires Tools.
Advertising but not appearing at the Exhibition are The Electric Loft Ladder Co., KB Models (of Havant), and Wicor Models (of Portchester).
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-traders/

Layout Preview:

Outwell Village (4mm scale, OO finescale)

The  Wisbech and Upwell Tramway opened to traffic on the 20th August 1883  only as far as Outwell, and then on to Upwell on the 8th September 1884.  Between the years of 1945 to 1950 the line saw the most activity, when  it was not uncommon to see double headed trams with 60 fruit vans in  tow. Steam trams were the mainstay of the motive power in the early  years, with diesels taking over until 23rd May 1966 when the line closed  to traffic.


Layout Preview:

Leysdown (4mm scale, P4 gauge)

Welcome  to the Leysdown, a model railway layout portraying, in 4mm to the foot  scale, the terminus of the Sheppey Light Railway as it would have  appeared in the early 1930s under Southern Railway ownership.



Demonstrators & Societies

The last of the 'gauge' societies that will be represented at the Exhibition is the 2mm Society.  The 2mm Scale Association exists to promote and facilitate modelling at  the scale of 2mm:1ft. The scale has a long history as the smallest  practical finescale standard.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/exhibition-demonstrators-societies/

Getting to the exhibition
Full  details for getting to the exhibition by public and private transport  are on the Club website. The Show Guide is free, and contain information  about layouts and traders, and there are some special offers from some  of the traders.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/

Just three days to go, and we're nearly ready … the Show Guide (one  free to each party coming through the door) has gone to print, barriers  and signs have been prepared, and the staffing schedule circulated.

Traders update:
We  are being supported by four traders this year who all carry a wide  range of modelling items in their shops, including many non-railway  lines. Two of these traders will be at the Exhibition … The Model Shop (Portsmouth), and Frome Model Centre.
Supporting us by advertising in the Show Guide are Wicor Models of Portchester, and KB Models of Havant.
See details of all the appearing and supporting traders on the 2018 Exibition Traders page of our website.

One more note … The Model Shop (Portsmouth) and KB Models are offering discounts on production of the Show Guide.

The final 4 layouts:

Sherton Abbas (7mm scale, O gauge)

Sherton  Abbas is a 7mm scale representation of a Great Western Railway branch  line terminus and is set in the Edwardian era circa 1905.
The  name Sherton Abbas comes from Thomas Hardy’s novel “The Woodlanders” –  quite what he would have made of the railway is anyone’s guess!




Stoke by Nayland (4mm scale, P4 gauge)

In  1867 the Great Eastern Railway opened a 35 mile cross country route  from Colchester to Stowmarket. The line was never as successful as  anticipated and lived a quiet existence for 100 years until closure in  1967. It did however prove to be a useful avoiding line, taking pressure  of the Colchester to Norwich mainline at busy times. Stoke by Nayland  station itself was kept busy by the presence of a granary and a dairy.




Trowland (1:64th scale, S gauge)

Trevor  Nunn’s new layout ‘Trowland’ is the terminus of a Midland and Great  Northern Joint Railway branch line in North Norfolk. The layout is set  firmly in the 19th century.




Widley and St George (4mm scale, OO Gauge)


One for our younger visitors. Come and drive trains pulled by Thomas, Percy, Gordon and more of their friends.


Details of all the layouts appearing this year can be found on the 2018 Exhibition Layouts page, with even more details including track plans, in the Show Guide.

Getting to the exhibition
Full  details for getting to the exhibition by public and private transport  are on the Club website. The Show Guide is free, and contain information  about layouts and traders, and there are some special offers from some  of the traders.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/exhibition/


We hope to see you there.

Thanks to all who came and made the Exhibition such a great day. According to our Chaiman (another Dave … Dave Hawkins) traders and exhibitors were all pleased with the day. We had very nearly 800 paying visitors, our second highest attendance. There are always things we can improve on - these will be discussed at the next Committee meeting and Club Forum.

I've added a news post to the Club Website, which includes some video and stills taken on the day … please do pop over and have a look.
https://www.shmrc.org.uk/2018-exhibition-report/

We always get lots of children, which may seem unexpected at a 'finescale' show, but with Roy Hickman getting them involved in making scenery, and Roger Sawyer getting the children to have a go at soldering, we are very mindful that railway modelling isn't just a hobby for those of us who are getting on a bit. The children were also entertained by Chris Barker and his crew on the MERG stand, and the many Club Members who were supurvising on our 'Thomas' layout.

As I mentioned in a previous post, this was the 'Year of the Knees', and now I have photograpic evidence to prove it … half the Committee on cruches following knee operations!
 
Richard Butler and Ray Hodson

Finally, thanks to everyone who visited these posts on the forum.