Gresley Easter Event 2016
Entry posted by andyram
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Today saw the first day of the Gresley and Wychnor Model Railway Group's two day Easter show. This is more of a club open day than a full scale exhibition as it takes place in the club's own premises. That being said the club have certainly maximised their space to produce a decent event and a visit is well recommended.
Since my last visit the premises seem to have been extended with a new room, "The Sir Nigel Gresley Room" now open at the front of the venue. In here there were two layouts. Burdale Colliery was a work in progress 0 gauge model in the early stages of development. A sound fitted Pannier tank drew admiring glances from many, including my 4 year old daughter.
The other layout in this room was "Swad Lane". This modern image 00 gauge model depicts a privately owned maintenance depot to the rear with a passenger branch at the front. This model also used sound fitted stock.
Also in this room there was one trade stand, carrying a good range of stock. RMWeb member Andy Peters was also providing a weathering demonstration, offering to weather stock for a donation. I was pretty annoyed that I forgot to pick up my models when I left home this morning.
In the main room there was one of the stand out models. The club is home to the impressive 0 gauge Wychnor-on-Trent layout. This has featured in many railway magazines. It is a huge model that begins with a terminus station, runs along one wall before curving around the end of the room to a through station. Trains then disappear into a fiddle yard behind an impressive loco shed scene. There are many other scenes including a brewery (currently being rebuilt), goods yard and a second loco shed. There was an impressive array of stock on view.
In the centre of the main room were a few tables and chairs for visitors to sit and enjoy snacks and drinks from the kitchen. My daughter and I enjoyed a light dinner whilst observing a procession of trains on the layout. Highlight for me was a superb green liveried "Jubilee" (see picture below).
Upstairs there was the second large layout. "Coopers Dale and Marston" is an impressive 00 gauge model. There is always something running on here either passing through the station on the lower level or passing behind the roof tops on the upper track. On the other side there is a superb viaduct scene. Organisers had carefully place some seats at this viewing point and it was nice to sit and watch the trains pass over this impressive structure. One IPhone snap (below) shows a Crosti 9F at this location.
I could have sat here for quite some time, but my daughter had other ideas. Sadly she soon decided the attraction of Easter eggs at home was a better option and wanted to head for home. As a result I only got the briefest of views of the other layouts on the upper floor. These included a developing N gauge GWR model, "Princetown", a Thomas 00 gauge layout, a developing Scottish based 0 gauge model called "Dornock", a narrow gauge layout and a 00 gauge shunting layout called "Windmill Road". In addition there was also another demonstration in the upstairs room.
There was certainly lots to see and the club is blessed with a host of impressive layouts. There is even a large G scale model near the entrance. I would certainly recommend a visit. The members are friendly. I met so many familiar faces who all wanted to stop and chat and I was made to feel very welcome. I could have stayed a lot longer than I did. My daughter was also greeted warmly. She was given a small chocolate egg with her dinner and was offered a sweet lollipop as she left. Certainly the club have the right idea for attracting the next generation.
All in all - a great event, very enjoyable - possibly my favourite of the year so far.
Here are a couple of pictures.
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