The Larger Scale Show

Rivermead Reading

Saturday 12th May 2007

This show was organised by the Association of Larger scale Modellers Limited and was their sixth annual show held in Reading's Rivermead leisure centre. Whilst i have to admit to being biased here as this is my home town, Rivermead lends itself to this sort of exhibition as the large open halls are ideal. The show organisers were able to leave plenty of space in between stands to allow easy access around for everyone. The only problem encountered by wheelchair users was that ,as in a previous show, some of the layouts were at chest height .

This a multiscale show and therefore a wide variety of traders were there,apart from our usual crowd. I am still wondering if they have homes to go to. Although a lot of the stands clearly were not G scale they do give you ideas that can be converted. Another nice sideline at this show was a section where enthusiasts  were demonstrating their work and modelling skills and answering questions etc. The Thames Valley group flew the flag for the G scale Society.

As in other society shows there was a bring and buy stand that seemed well recieved judging by the number of people around it all day long. I always like to see some of the tool traders at these shows and again Rivermead did not disappoint. My other favourite topic is the presence of a show guide and again it was  available and free.

Sadly there was only one Gscale layout on show ,apart from the Gscale Society one, and  that was the Albany Garden Railway which did allow children to operate a part of the layout. My layout of the show was the Teign House Sidings in Ob7 gauge, maybe another bit of bias showing as this a GWR  broad guage branch terminus. But the modelling was to very high standard. Well done to its owner Bob Harper but was  difficult to choose from the layouts ranging from Goonhilly in Cornwall to a Tex/Mex backwater station and  the powerful  gauge One steam engines on the Invicta track providing a lot of interest too.

There was plenty of parking,which this year was free. Entrance fee to non members was £6 with the normal concessions. Catering was available and even a little tea trolley made its way round the show.

For those diehards like me a burger bar was on hand just outside who love their "junk " food.

My overall view of the show is that it is well organised and well worth  a visit even if Gscale traders were in  the minority they certainly made their presence felt with some real goodies despite LGB's problems.

Gscale madders looked in short supply too but I am sure we will rectify that at Merstham.

this is apersonal by rambling roger