DEMU Showcase, Burton
Entry posted by andyram
723 views
The need to get leaflets out to promote our own show at Weston has sent me off to some events this year which I would not normally have attended. As someone whose railway interest is very much preserved steam (with my model railways falling into the same category), a pure diesel and electric event is not one which would normally interest me. That does not mean I have anything against those who model these forms of railway - everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own interest! I just prefer steam!
I had intended to visit yesterday - but a sleepless night with my daughter and a few household chores put paid to that. Sadly that meant I could not get any leaftlets into the first day of the show. At least I got there today, laid a few out in various locations, and saw a few being carried around during the day, so my visit will prove worthwhile in that respect - especially if these people turn up in November!
As regards the show itself I have to say it was excellent. I never expected to enjoy a diesel and electric show as much as I did. There was a good range of layouts and traders spread amongst the four rooms. Everything was easy to find thanks to a colour coded map in the show guide. Without doubt this is the best show guide I have seen for quite some time - full colour with a full page dedicated to almost every layout, illustrated by plenty of pictures. My congratulations to whoever produced this, it really is superb - and it was free too!
I had seen some of the layouts at other shows. I have viewed Loch Tat on several previous occasions. I do like this N gauge model. The superbly modelled loch scene, complete with fishing boat, always takes me back to my honeymoon in the Highlands a few years ago. Also bringing back memories of those two weeks in Fort William and Inverness were the models "Rannoch Moor" and "Dalmally".
Dalmally has a track layout which is based on Killin Junction. The Killin - Loch Tay branch is one I hope to model in the future, having bought a book on the line from a book shop in Fort William. It is nice to see a modern take on one of these stations.
Rannoch Moor is a lovely depiction on the West Highland line. I loved the curving viaduct at one end. The trains services gave a good impression of those which can be seen in Scotland today. I did raise a smile at the charter train set stored at the back of the fiddle yard, complete with a steam interloper in the form of a Hornby "Black 5". Interestingly it had disappeared when I returned to the layout a second time. Had someone really been asked to remove it????
The Hornby demonstration stand also had some steam interlopers. The models of "Duke of Gloucester" look very impressive. That is definitely one for a future shopping list. The DCC sound display was interesting and my daughter was certainly captivated when Simon Kohler set one of the sound fitted steam locos going on a rolling road! She was leaning forward wondering where the noise was coming from. Mind you, it did seem to upset a couple of other punters to hear a "steamy" at the DEMU show. Thanks Simon!! 
Returning to non-steam issues though. The new Sentinel shunter looks fantastic and did spark ideas for a modern shunting puzzle layout. I bet I am not the only one to be impressed enough with this model to think along those lines!
I've mentioned my daughter a couple of times. At 18 months old she has already attended more than 10 events during her short life and she certainly enjoys them. We had only been inside a couple of minutes when she got excited by the steady stream of trains on the large 00 gauge layout - "Coppell". She was craning her neck over the security barriers to view an oncoming train shouting "Here it is" to the amusement of those nearby. But her favourite layout, and mine too, was "Rhydwyn Fawr". Set in a steel works this 7mm O gauge model featured in a recent issue of Railway Modeller. It looked good in the article, but it is even better in the flesh. The freelance industrial engines were busy moving the various stock around the different levels. The appropriate sounds and lights gave a great impression of a working steel mill. So much so that my daughter pointed to the large building and proclaimed it to be "hot, hot!". A brilliant layout, I could have watched it all day and so could my daughter. She dragged me back to it three times and moaned when I took her away.
So to finish off. I may not have an interest in diesel and electric modelling - but this event was very enjoyable and well organised. I will certainly be back next year.
-
5
1 Comment
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now