Wiltshire Group Skills Day

I happened to be passing through Wiltshire today within a few miles of Pewsey, so it seemed like a good idea to allow time to pop into the 4th Wiltshire Group Skills Day there. 

This is an unusual sort of model railway event, it's not an exhibition although there are a few models and under-construction boards on display. Nor are there traders, other than a specialist supplier, a Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway stand, and the 009 sales stand. The focus of the event is a variety of demonstrations providing opportunity to discuss techniques and learn new skills, hence the name of the event. It's run by a narrow gauge modelling group so the demonstrations were related to narrow gauge models, although the skills could of course be applied to any scale. Models were being constructed in 4mm, 7mm, and 16mm scales, and skills included soldering, loco/chassis construction, buildings, and scenery. I learned how to make castings using filler and had a useful discussion, demonstration, and practice at applying lining transfers. Best of all, I had enjoyable conversations. All good fun and well worth a diversion for a few hours.