Nearly 400 people attended the major event arranged by Sleaford Model Railway Club, which was staged in the main hall at St George’s Academy, with overspill in a second room and featured 14 layouts inspired by real and imaginary railways from different parts of the country, Australia and Poland.
There were layouts for younger visitors to try their hand at driving the trains and lots of traders selling everything the keen modeller might need.
Well known modeller Tony Wright was also on hand with his loco clinic to fix poorly running locomotives which could then be run on the club’s test track.
The public voted Blue Gum Ridge Railway, which is based on a preserved railway in Australia and built by club members Terry Bridgman (lead), Dale Bridgman, Gary Burford, Kim Dowden, Chris Richardson and Paul Sheen the best in the show.
After the show, Exhibition Manager Nick Dibben said: “We had a really good day. Alongside local families we had people coming from as far as Leeds and Kings Lynn to visit us. I hope it will inspire many people to take up this amazing hobby. There are few activities that can unite pensioners and toddlers alike. I would like to thank the staff at St George’s Academy for all their help in putting on the show.”
The club has also recently been awarded £1,000 by North Kesteven District Council Sleaford Renewable Energy Partnership. This grant will be used on the club’s new layout Octagon to provide rolling stock.
Club chairman Paul Sheen thanked everyone involved. “Our club has a healthy membership and offers all aspects of railway modelling at Ruskington Village Hall, for all age groups.”
1. NG34 Model Railway Society from Cranwell's layout, L-R Ian Hides, Gareth and Wyatt Evans, 7, and Shaun Gill.
NG34 Model Railway Society from Cranwell's layout, L-R Ian Hides, Gareth and Wyatt Evans, 7, and Shaun Gill. Photo: Andy Hubbert
2. A layout of a station in western Poland by these two modellers from Doncaster, Maciej Kurkowiak and Alan Wardman watched by Julia Wing and Isaac Harrison of Sleaford.
A layout of a station in western Poland by these two modellers from Doncaster, Maciej Kurkowiak and Alan Wardman watched by Julia Wing and Isaac Harrison of Sleaford. Photo: Andy Hubbert
3. Sleaford and District Model Railway Society's model show..
Sleaford and District Model Railway Society's model show.. Photo: Andy Hubbert
4. L-R Dave Paylor and Shaun Robson of Nottingham's Model Rail Project Group and their layout 'Drabford'.
L-R Dave Paylor and Shaun Robson of Nottingham's Model Rail Project Group and their layout 'Drabford'. Photo: Andy Hubbert