Ruddington 2013

Entry posted by andyram August 3, 2013

1,097 views

A free Saturday gave me the chance to visit the Ruddington show today. This show, like the Midland Rail-ex at Butterley, spreads its exhibits around several buildings on the Nottingham Heritage Centre site. The main exhibition takes place inside the loco shed, with the layouts and traders tucked inbetween the various items of rolling stock. Space is certainly limited. Inside the shed there were 4 traders and 7 layouts. The best of these was the 0 gauge "Camden" shed model which I saw at the Derby show earlier in the year. This is a superb model and displays a large collection of wonderfully detailed Midland Region stock. I wish I had space for an 0 gauge model, especially the "Duchess" class models seen below on the turntable.

Even larger than this was the G scale display which featured a variety of American stock, complete with sound and smoke! This layout also featured a Isle of Man loco and a Bachmann "Thomas". Perhaps, considering my daughter's interest in the little blue engine, I could get away with purchasing one as an excuse for a garden railway!

A large American modular layout dominated the middle of the shed. Impressive in size, but not my interest, so I skipped past this one. Near to this was a young lad with a display of Lego trains - good to see younger children involved in exhibiting.

A tram layout depicted a film studios, complete with a model of a Lancaster Bomber. My mother would have appreciated this, she has a real interest in WW2 aircraft and the Lanc in particular.

Other layouts in the main shed were the N gauge models "Derwent Valley" and "Sumwhere Valley" both featured a constant stream of passing trains.

Beyond the main shed the other areas were rather difficult to find. There was little signage and the "show guide" (printed A4 sheets) didn't provide a map. The visitors centre is very small, but featured one well stocked trade stand and two further layouts. It was good to catch up with Malcolm Hughes again as he displayed his collection of clockwork Hornby. Next to him was the modern image "Meadow Lane TMD" which is another impressive small space layout.

The final building was at the far end of the site near to the station for the impressive miniture railways. The building contained one demonstration and two layouts from the Gresley and Wychnor group. I do enjoy watching the excellent "Glen Roy" and the operators are always friendly.

That is 11 layouts in total - slightly less than the 12 advertised visitors. The site does have four layouts of its own which are present all year round. The 0 gauge Millhouse Lane is superbly detailed, but is outshone for me by the large 00 gauge model which depicts Ruddington Station in the latter days of steam. These are well worth seeing.

In all the show was enjoyable, although I will suggest that better signage would improve things ensuring visitors do not miss anything. Perhaps the show could also expand into one of the other sheds - the road transport building for instance as this would allow a better range of layouts to be included. The only 00 gauge steam era layout was "Ruddington"

The highlight for me was the use of steam on the line to Loughborough Junction. This was the first time I had seen steam used on such services during a model railway weekend. I had never previously travelled the full length of the line so this made my visit worthwhile too. I would also recommend the bottled Good Owld 63 ale which was on sale in the buffet carriage.