North West Garden Railway and Narrow Gauge Exhibition 2005

Lytham St Anne’s High Technology College

October 8^th. and 9^th. 2005

I was forced to pack my bags by my boss and fit in an extra show review after a certain well known Welshman from Berkshire complained that my last show review was a bit short. Llanfair is one of the most popular shows in the calendar and is always well worth a visit. I have included some photos of the exhibition but as you can see my camera skills are sadly lacking. Although I did manage a very good picture of my feet!

It must have been about ten years ago that I visited this show, organised by the G-WIZZ Garden Railway Display Team. At the time my railway was basically just a loop round my pond and rarely used. I was visiting the lights at Blackpool and saw the show advertised and took a reluctant family along.

The show then, as now, is one of the most friendly you will come across and after chatting to some of the exhibitors my son and Jason (Mr. G Scale Mad)  got hooked himself on Garden Railways and came away with a LGB starter set and some Pendlebury Kits.

This rekindled my interest and together we have developed our respective railways, travelled to various shows and been tempted to part with lots of cash (Jason more than me. No wonder I do not get any wages) and we have met many enthusiasts and friends.

This year it was my poor wife that was dragged along. Although she found time to talk to the ladies and make a purchase on the Cancer Research fundraising stall.

Two layouts that really grabbed the attention were the “Das Lupine Tal Und Gipfalbahmen” and “Walt’s Drive it yourself Playmobil Railway. Walt’s railway is one of the few exhibition layouts that children are actually encouraged to touch and have a go on. Well done Walter and Marion Turner for remembering railways are for fun.

There were other excellent layouts too including Wittsend, Wiertel Issit and Iroquio Bridge by members of the North Flyde MRC. Obviously a lot of modelling skills in that club. Being near Blackpool there had to be some trams on show and that space was admirably filled South Shore Electric Tramways (Terry Daniel) and a third size Tramcar. Cheshire, Mersey & East Clwyd Group exhibited Rowlands Lodge 16mm live steam layout and from Lytham St. Annes RS came Simonsberg,HOm. There was even a model of a garden railway and of course not forgetting G- Wizz’s own layout.

The engineering skills of the Fylde Society of Model Engineers were on display. G- Scale Society was represented by the North West Branch.

Those stalwart traders Back2 Bay6, Bay Models, Chalk Garden Railways and Tuxcraft were there with their bargains. Other traders including Locobox, Railbus, Diecast Models and Collectables, Todmorden and S.M.T.F. models.

There were some displays by the Festiniog, Ribble and Furness railway Trusts. This was a varied show and as I have said very friendly it was almost a pleasure to part with my money.

Plenty of free parking and excellent light refreshments were available. Super scones Ladies. Make a trip to this show next year

And take in Blackpool lights and Pleasure Beach at the same time.

Roger 2005.

 G Scale Mad Forum