Show 2011 Report

WRG Personal Layout Show - report by Andrew Knights

IMPORTANT! - click on any picture to see a larger image

Notes on a LONG Saturday in Sussex...

Keys collected from new address and the road signs finally placed. The hall was unlocked. Pulling into the car park, a strange car was sitting in pride of place. Tom Lloyd had driven up to the show from Cornwall, arriving as I had just touched the outskirts of Arundel myself. Thanks, Tom for your help in unloading and setting out the hall. David arrived, soon after and erection of the exhibition commenced apace. Due to the number of un-supported members, we had a full set of WRG trestles and tops in employment. A higher level of display than is normal for a WRG show was the result.

Chris and Tony arrived, along with the first knot of exhibitors. Soon the kitchen was in their able hands and we were able to drink some well earned tea and tuck into bacon rolls.

This year the show had a definite American and narrow gauge leaning feel.

Hoxie Harbour, from Fareham was a visitor, as was Senlac. One US and the other mixed gauge British outline.

Hoxie Harbour by Dave Barclay

Senlac by James Edwards

From within the group we had four Americans, Giles Barnabe with Lazy River and Rob Rhodes with a delightful small HO Yard No6. In N and original layout depicting the rail scene in Florida was shown by Tom Lloyd. This model was, mostly box file based. Geof Latham had his two part layout Mahwah on show. A good example of what can be accommodated in a small space or even spaces, as the two parts of the layout were “bridged”. N gauge once again.

Lazy River by Giles Barnabe

Yard No6 by Rob Rhodes

Lazy River by Giles Barnabe

CSX Florida by Tom Lloyd

Mahwah by Geof Latham

German HO was shown by Chris Ellis, he was sandwiched between two of the largest layouts we have had at WRG. Giles, above, and David Thomas’ Termingle inspired SNCF layout. This last showed some unusual, to British eyes, stock and demonstrated the principle of a shelf layout extremely well.

Inglenook by Chris Ellis

SNCF layout by David Thomas

British narrow gauge came from Chris Ford and Garn, OO9. In 1/35 there was a 3xA4 layout on two levels (almost as high as long) with a vertical train lift as well as a more normal traverser. The Rev Ian Roberts brought a superbly detailed and modelled 1/24 layout. Unique in design and concept. Camas Orrain looked great and ran well too. He spent much time demonstrating the method of model production employed on this layout’s scenery and population.

Garn by Chris Ford

Camas Orain by Rev Ian Roberts

British standard gauge was not forgotten, if in the minority. Apart from Senlac we had a violin case inspired layout from Simon Hargraves demonstrating some of the more recent productions on offer in this scale. It showed what could be done in N given the newer products available and much care.

Violin case layout by Simon Hargraves

In the one corner of the show, we had a display of micro layouts. Five small layouts on a single table, HO (US and German) British N and O scales. This was by way of a tribute to the recently deceased Carl Arendt, an advocate of much that WRG stands for.

Tribute to the late Carl Arendt

Scenic modelling was shown by Mr Roy Hickman with a picturesque harbour scene. A great addition to the growing town. Much time was spent talking and chatting there.

Harbour scene by Roy Hickman

Trade support came from Terry Page. LSWR Models kindly sponsored the show. Falcon Figures gave a figure painting demonstration throughout the day and had a fine range of metal figures for sale. John Bloom had a good selection of British books, DVDs and maritime books too.

Busy road crossing - Dave Barclay

Competition Winner - Les Coleman

Competition winner - Les Coleman

Competition entry - Chris Ford

Competition entry - Greg Dodsworth

Thanks to all who helped make the day the enjoyable, if rather long day for some, that it was.

Andrew Knights

Quaint motive power - Les Coleman