We had a very successful 13th annual public show at The King Alfred School in Burnham on Sea. This was on the last Saturday of the autumn half term. It was an event when all members pulled together to create a great day and a profitable one.
One visitor said it was the biggest model railway show they had been to.
We had the use of a large entrance hall where many traders were present. Next was the main assembly hall with its lofty ceiling, plus the use of 3 classrooms. A mobile caterer, “Country Bumpkins”, served refreshments outside. The show was opened by the lady mayor accompanied by the town crier suitably dressed with a tricorn hat and his bell.
A report plus images has appeared on the Burnham on Sea web-site
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Rebecca put on her usual layout, double track O gauge electric using club track and an inner auto reverse track using Lionel rails. Loco and stock was Southern and GWR. Next to her was another O gauge electric track run by David and Cherry Trotham with assistance from Peter Lintern. Their theme was LMS.
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Alongside them was Chris Batten’s clockwork layout, which has outgrown the classrooms. Chris has a large team of clockers to keep his locomotives running through the day. No doubt with aching wrists at the end. Any child showing interest is given a comprehensive instruction on train running. Interesting, many years ago, a lad who was one of Chris’s apprentices now works in the railway industry. So get them interested young, the children are our future.
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The other 0 gauge layout was by Roy Sinclair and featured a figure of eight track with locomotives and stock from the less well known makes. There was also gauge 1 layout with locomotives built before the 1914-18 war. |
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We must not forget the little people, I mean the Dublo brigade. The club Dublo 2 rail was present with plenty of flashing LED lights, a burnt out coach and a coal mine. Alongside them was a guest layout from Severn Valley Tinplate Runners with their Dublo 2 rail layout, with plenty of taxis waiting their turn. The third two rail layout was provided by Martin of Dublo Seven.
On the three rail side, our chairman Steve Sands bought along his module 3 rail Dublo layout in a class room next to the front door. This year it was more rectangular shape with an interesting marshalling yard visible to all spectators. The club Dublo 3 rail layout, which has been under test for the last couple meetings, was now in use with the full glory of buildings and accessories.
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An interesting 2 rail layout of vintage Tri-ang track and stock was running in an adjacent classroom. This also included the infamous early banana shaped coach as a result of Tri-ang use of soft plastic, cellulose acetate. Later models use impact resisting polystrene. Locos running were an elegant Lord of the Isles and an Australian Brush 31.
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We must not forget the traders; with plenty of stands selling something for everybody.
We have to thank the organisers, Mike Barton, David Temple and Steve Sands for the smooth running of the show.
Make a note of next year's date in your diary Saturday 26th October 2024 - tbc