Last Saturday I took a trip to the Fareham model railway exhibition. I'd not been before but it looked like being a big show, and there aren't so many local shows around at the moment. I was expecting the hall to be busy on a Saturday morning but it didn't feel crowded, perhaps because the large hall had been used to allow wide aisles. There was indeed a good selection of layouts, but here I'll just show the narrow gauge layouts.
Derwent Road (O9) - Bill Flude
This model is inspired by the 2' gauge railway at Leighton Buzzard which carried sand, and was gradually taken over by a preservation group. Bill's freelance model has both sand and tourist trains (plus the occasional works train) with a similar setting between the road and modern housing, but is modelled to O9 so around 18" gauge. It's a fine model with varied trains.
Hook Basin (1:25 / 16.5mm gauge) - Richard Williams
A large scale layout in a small space, which offers fine detail and characterful trains. There are two scenes, the wharf on the left where trains of skips are tipped into the waiting barge, and the station scene and engine shed on the right.
Launceston Steam Railway (009) - Richard Holder.
This heritage railway in Cornwall is faithfully and beautifully modelled, and instantly recognisable to anyone who has visited. The locos and stock of the line are also modelled, including the iconic Welsh quarry Hunslets.
Bluckless, County Donegal (OOn3) - Andy Cundick
Models of the Irish 3 foot gauge aren't common considering the number and mileage of lines that once existed. This simple station is nicely modelled, as is the loco and stock.
Avyn-A-Llyin (009) - Andrew Bailey
A classic from years ago this busy Welsh layout still looks good. The pier station is novel and superbly modelled, though it would look better in photos with a backscene! Nice to see it again.
Bergeller Bahn (HOm) - John Laister.
This large layout had multiple levels with trains winding their way through ensuring there always seemed to be something moving, even a yellow postbus on the mountain road. The scenery was dramatic, and the detailing thoughtful - check out the cable car delivery. Having seen photos of the Swiss railways this seemed a convincing as well as interesting model (yes Switzerland is that clean and tidy!).
That's a fine selection of narrow gauge layouts by any standard, and I have to admit some of the 20 or so other layout were pretty good too!
No comments:
Post a Comment