This is a show for the serious
model maker. It was full of gadgets and machines that I
certainly did not have a clue what they were used for. If you
scratch build in any scale the equipment was on show here
including lathes and milling machines etc. Although there did
not seem to be an automatic beer can opener. Most essential on
the Dorchester Railway
Entrance charges were a whopping
nine pounds, although there was a discount for advance tickets
and parking was plentiful and free. The setting was magnificent
with views over to central London and Alexandra Palace itself is
something to see. Show guides were available at fifty pence each
which I think considering the entrance fee was a bit of a cheek.
But it does contain a lot of information about the many model
societies and clubs exhibiting.
There were plenty of good
catering facilities available from a cup of tea to a full meal
and also a licensed bar. A cash machine was on site for those
who could not resist spending that little bit more than they
came with.
Being in a large hall there was
plenty of room to move about in and there were numerous
demonstration areas for boats, airplanes, helicopters,
hovercraft, tanks, cars and lorries. So there was plenty to see
and demonstrators from the different society stands happy to
answer any questions. I must admit to have been taken with the
radio controlled helicopters and hovercraft. Perhaps when the
Dorchester railway gets rebuilt there might just be a space.
.
Among the stands were the Epping
Forest Horology club with a fine display of build it yourself
clocks and the Mars Advanced Rocketry Society who are attempting
to put Britain back in the space. There were over forty clubs
exhibiting covering every conceivable type of model making there
is.
For us G scalers BGRS had a fine
display with a varied display of rolling stock, and two first
class traders in Chalk Garden Railway and I and G steam who
always have some good bargains available. Nice to see the G
scale society were present. Other gauges including 16mm and
gauge One. The big boys of the five inch and seven and a quarter
also made their present felt. There is some excellent value
engines available in five inch gauge. If only my garden was big
enough!
A ham-fisted modeller like me can
only wonder at the skills of the detailed models on display
here. Clearly many hours of devotion have gone into making many
of these models and it is awe inspiring to see them in action.
There was certainly a lot
to see and buy from the mighty sit on engines right down to the
little candle powered steam tin boats
Why not sit back and enjoy our
11 min video covering all aspects of the show including boats,
planes, tanks and of course plenty of of railways.
A show report by Roger Palmer
and pictures and video by Jason Palmer.
