Monday, 9 March 2026

Steyning WRG Exhibition 2026

The Wealden Railway Group exhibition in Steyning yesterday was the first external show for the Sussex Downs 009 Group layout, Much Ditheryn. It was at the group's own members' day show last year, and has been to a previous members' day and an Amberley railway gala as an under-construction demonstration. 


The day didn't start well with two electrical issues, traced to loose/broken wires, but fortunately we resolved those quickly. We also had some issues with running as we found locos and stock that struggled with the gradients, curves, and possibly track imperfections, some adjustments may need to be made. However, most troublesome vehicles had been swapped out by soon after opening, and once we got into a rhythm things went well. Although lacking the finishing touches, it looked good and received some nice comments, and set-up and breakdown went well. 


Another new layout I was looking forward to seeing was Chris O'Donoghue's Caravanserai (009), set alongside the Nile in Egypt. It looked great, full of interest and very different!




The WRG show often has a good selection of NG layouts. Simon Hargreaves brought Dead Frog Basin (009), a delightful Inglenook which has been nicely completed and framed in an Ikea APA box since I last saw it. 



Giles Barnabe had built Ashleworth Quay in about 5 weeks. The premise uses "OO" for a 4' gauge line - OOn4 perhaps? It's compact and attractive with a clever backscene that really sets the scene. Sadly, perhaps because of its short development, it suffered from running issues. 



Ian Roberts had yet another 1:32 scale 16.5mm gauge layout, this time an island in the North Sea.



I didn't get a program, and didn't not the name or builder of this large scale (SM32?) industrial layout. 


On to the standard gauge. Andrew Knights showed his new O-gauge shunting layout, I guess it's a micro layout in that scale!



London Road Sidings, a very compact shunting layout in OO.


Other layouts I didn't have details for..



N-gauge tram layout that fits in a motorbike pannier.


A very small but delightful scene in N.


As always, a good friendly show with lots of chat.

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