Salisbury Railex 2026

 Last weekend I was at the Salisbury Railex held at Thruxton motor circuit. 

The big story of the weekend was of course the heat - with the temperature into the 30's. Unfortunately, I was in the pavilion, which was a hybrid of tent and greenhouse... and was hotter inside than standing in the sun outside. By the Sunday, we had fans, which helped.

Several layouts had unexplained running issues by the afternoon, probably due to the heat. And Jamie assured me that his fiddle yard tracks used to be straight and parallel...

I was there with Loctern Quay (which the organisers insisted on spelling as Lochtern!).

Next to me was David Marshall with his 009 Harringford Light Railway, which is a different spin on the inglenook theme. David is an ex Sussex Downs group member, now living in Salisbury and a member of the club organising the show, and kindly put me up for the weekend. 

The other side was Jamie Warne with his delightful Sandy Shores, making three 009 layouts in a row. 

Over in the air conditioned main building (where some people were wearing jumpers), Ian Morrison's Kaninchenbau (HOe) completed the narrow gauge line-up.

Here's a sample of the standard gauge layouts, which also included an inglenook, Express Daisy Sidings (EM).

Exton Quay (OO)

Ravenscar & Torstead (N)

Royal Albert Bridge (N)

Canute Road Quay (OO)

Helland Wharf (OO)

Lantra Quay (OO - dual gauge)

Brighton East (OO)

Unfortunately, the show seemed quiet, especially in the afternoons. This was likely due to being a bank holiday weekend and the start of the school half-term week (the dates being dictated by the venue's race calendar), perhaps worsened by the heatwave and by the venue being quite remote. Many could be put off by a long drive on a hot day with the risk of holiday traffic. I hope there were enough visitors to cover the club's costs, but did feel especially for the traders. 

Loctern Quay prep for Salisbury

Next weekend I'll be taking Loctern Quay to Salisbury Railex, which looks to be a good show in an interesting location - Thruxton motor circuit. 

Loctern doesn't need much prep, having been out once already this year, but I do check operation carefully including the couplings as they are critical for reliable operation on a shunting layout.

At Tonbridge I found the new "Whiting" tram loco couplings didn't behave, sometimes refusing to stay coupled. I think this was a combination of the longer shank couplings I'd used to clear the cowcatcher, and the curved approach when collecting wagons. I found a short shank coupling fitted and would work, just clearing the cowcatcher, and with a little adjustment it seemed to behave in testing with all wagons. 

There's only an extra couple of millimetres in the length of the shafts, so I wonder if the issue is as much about the leverage against the spring as it is the overhang. 

I also tested the WD Hunslet, since it is now running nicely, and it does look good on the quay. However, like the WD Baldwin when that is used, it must run cab end to the wagons since the overhang (from leading driver to coupling) at the smokebox end is so long. 

Look how far the coupling swings from the track centre-line!

I just need to finish loco testing and pack up. Do say hello if you are at the show.

Tonbridge with Loctern Quay

 Today I took Loctern Quay to the Tonbridge show. 

It performed well, other than the odd reluctant coupling (despite all the testing!), and received nice comments. The show was really busy in the morning, the afternoon more pleasant. It was a good show, a great selection of quality layouts and good trade support with useful suppliers. Good catering for exhibitors too! Some of my better photos snatched between operating sessions below. I didn't think to get a show guide, so I think I have the names of name all the layouts, but I may not and I don't have all the details! 

I'd been impressed with Express Daisy Sidings (EM) when I saw it in Railway Modeller, and it was good to see it in the flesh. I liked the shunting move counter, operated by a reed switch and a magnet in the loco, perhaps I should get one for Loctern Quay?

I'd seen Bulldog Quay, Oare Creek (EM) develop on RMWeb, so another layout I was pleased to see. The superb model ships rather steal the limelight, but the pre-grouping trains were delightful too. Talking of light, my one criticism is that spotlights on a pole at the back corner are a terrible way to light a layout...

The Victory (OO) is another simple but delightful model. The narrow peninsular design made it stand out and the high viewpoint drew attention to the detail, but it was another difficult model to photograph because of the lack of backscene. 

Tellindalloch in Autumn (OO) is another layout seen in Railway Modeller. The obvious feature is the Autumn forest setting, impressively modelled trees of a realistic and imposing height frame the scene nicely. The river is well modelled too, with twinkling lights to give the impression of flowing water. 

I think this is Dublingham Goods (OO). A nice model, but strangely using 3-rail track (hand-built) and ancient 3-rail locos. I don't know why. 

I think this is Surrey Arms (EM). Also with 3-rails, but that's because it is Southern electric. A fine model with subtle colouring. 

Moors View (N). Dartmoor in the winter. Very impressive scenery, and can't have been easy to do this well. 

The Yard (O, O16.5) - I've seen this before, but am always impressed and mesmerised by the operating lorries and crane. The actual trains are merely there as props to be loaded!

Wittenden (O-16.5/O9) - double narrow gauge!

Penmaenbach (OO)

The Rapido stand had decorated samples of their new Kerr Stuart loco. Very nice!

Loctern Quay - Prep for Tonbridge

Loctern Quay will be at the Tonbridge exhibition next Saturday, so this week I have been dusting, testing all the locos and checking all the couplings. There's always the odd coupling to tweak to get it working consistently, and a sticky place for locos was traced to a piece of stray ballast. Hoperfully, this means more reliable operation at the show. While I was at it, I had a bit of a play, and decided to get the new camera out and get some shots of operation.

A tram loco propels a train onto the quay. 

As the train loco uncouples and sets back across the crossing, the quay shunter moves forward. 

The little Bagnall draws a cut of wagons into the head shunt. 

Gradually, a new assortment of wagons collects on the back siding. 

The Bagnall shuffles wagons by the quayside warehouses. 

Finally, the train is ready to depart. 

All working well, so I just need to pack everything away now. 

Wealden Railway Group Exhibition Steyning

The Wealden Railway Group show is a small, friendly show of mostly small layouts, into which my layouts seem to fit well as I've exhibited there several times. I actually showed Loctern Quay there in March 2020 - a week before lockdown - so it was nice to return with it. 

It behaved well all day and entertained both visitors and operators. Thanks to Edward Mallory for helping me out. 

Next to me was Giles Barnabe with his San Telmo, imaginatively set on a Spanish-speaking island in the Caribbean. 

I love the arrangement of these buildings with the arches and outside stairs.

Ian Roberts brought a new layout in his favoured 1:32 scale on 16.5mm track. Strontian is an oval layout, as usual set in Scotland, with a variety of trains.

Another Narrow Gauge layout was Westhay, clearly Welsh-inspired and making good use of ready-to-run. 

Chris Ford brought Drovers Brook, a classic branch line terminus in OO. Chris never intended to exhibit this layout...

Dounreay is a Scottish terminus in the BR-blue era modelled in the unusual (for UK outline) scale of HO. It's always surprising how much less space HO takes up compared to OO, considering the relatively small difference in scale.

John Bruce, well known for modelling in 009, brought this small but beautifully finished industrial layout/cameo/diorama in OO. The kit-built Hudswell-Clarke diesel makes a change from the usual BR shunters. 

I missed the name of this HO scale French harbourside layout, but I did like the fishing boats and the diminutive diesel shunter moving wagons on the quayside. 

The Uckfield club brought the small cameo layout built by their school-kids group. Here a tiny Ruston Hornsby diesel arrives with an equally tiny inspection coach. 

This American layout Broken Creek was nicely modelled and displayed. 

Now less than 3 weeks to my own group's show!