Invicta Informant

A thread for the club's January 2020 Show has been started here.

The Erith Model Railway Society's annual January show, one of South East England's largest shows (and probably Kent's largest by stand numbers), will return to The Longfield Academy for our 5th show there. Venue address: The Longfield Academy, Main Road (B260), Longfield, Kent, DA3 7PH. Opening Times: Saturday 25th January 2020 - 10:00am to 5:00pm & Sunday 26th January 2020 - 10:00am to 4:00pm. Entry Prices: Adults - £9.00. Accompanied Children - £1.00 Entry price includes free exhibition guide. The show will encompass at least 30 layouts, extensive trade and society support, demonstrators (including the club's Foxley Service Centre - Loco Diagnostics & Cleaning Service), static exhibits & charity raffle (in aid of the Association of Bexley Charities '78), making over 90 stands in total. The venue can be reached by Longfield railway station (5-10 minute walk away), Arriva bus services 423 (from Dartford and Bluewater), 433 (from Bluewater, Sunday only) and 489 (from Gravesend), and Go-Coach bus services 474 and 475 (both from Bluewater). The buses stop within a 5-10 minute walk from the venue. Some services may stop at Longfield Academy itself, but ask the driver for the nearest stop to the venue. There are no Sunday services for the 423, 474 and 475 routes. There is a sizeable free on-site car park, full disabled access (including toilets), a large refreshment area (300+ seats) and an extensive range of hot and cold food and drinks at reasonable prices. There is some off-site parking available at a day nursery in Brickfield Farm just up the road from the venue (5 minute walk away), should we run out (and we usually do) of on-site parking. The Erith Model Railway Society will be selling remaining stocks of Bachmann limited edition wagons commissioned by the club: 8 Ton Shepherd Neame & Co. Ventilated Van (Weathered). Ref. 38-375U. Price: £10.00. 14 Ton Paper Makers Chemicals Ltd. Tank Wagon. Ref. 37-650R. Price: £10.00. Please check our website for further details (list of layouts and traders attending, directions etc.). http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/erithmrs/exhibit_january.html Thank You.

From what I have read in the latest UK Model Shop Directory newsletter, the winner of the Best in Show was Peter Capon's 4mm scale WW1-themed layout Somewhere In France.

Speaking as someone who works as car parking marshal at a pretty sizeable exhibition (the Erith MRS January Show), I know how you feel Jonathan. I had breakfast in the Ace of Spades Café and I can recommend it. There are alternatives in Surbiton (such as the local Wetherspoons, The Coronation Hall) should you be coming from there. I got the TfL No. 71 bus service from Surbiton station (NK Stop) to the stop nearest the venue, called Southborough High School, then walked from there. Bear in mind you are walking right next to the A3 and it is not pleasant if it is raining. The show once again had many high quality layouts (Sidmouth, Rolvenden, St. Ruth, Ferrocarril San Maria Gandia, Lee-on-the-Solent, Scratchy Bottom Halt and Tansey Bank were my personal highlights) and consequently difficult to pick a winner for Best in Show. Many thanks to the Hampton Court MRS for organising another great show. Next year's show is on the 14th & 15th November 2020.

Here is another photo of Fisherton Sarum by Graham Muspratt and his team.

Thank you to the Beckenham & West Wickham MRC for another very good show at St. John's Church, Eden Park Avenue. For a relatively small show (27 stands all told), they have had some quality layouts exhibit at their show down the years, and this year's show was no exception with The Bridge at Remagen, Fisherton Sarum and Lighterman's Yard amongst others in attendance. Their club sales 'stand' (though area would be a better word) is one of the largest I have come across. Next year's show is on Saturday 17th October 2020 and their vintage show is on Saturday 4th April 2020 (both shows at the same venue).

Here is another photo of the Blackwell's Brewery Company by the Mid-Essex MRC.

These carriages could prove to be a boon to the cottage industries which make 'after-market' parts and accessories to ready-to-run stock, which can make something that looks generic into something very specific.

These carriages will be ideal for those modelling a Colonel Stephens light railway and for those who wish to recreate the vintage trains that run on preserved railways such as the Kent & East Sussex and Bluebell railways. We are spoilt for choice in terms of liveries, but no London, Brighton & South Coast Railway livery is quite surprising, considering the ready-to-run LBSCR locomotives that have been produced such as the Terrier and the E4 0-6-2T. No doubt Hatton's will be persuaded into producing one at some point. This looks an excellent project and will be a step up from Hornby's generic 4-Wheel carriage.

I am surprised that nobody has started a thread for the Folkestone, Hythe & District MRC's Show at the Leas Cliff Hall on the 5th & 6th October. It is a very good show, with a number of quality layouts and very good trade support. Bachmann were in attendance with display cabinets showing the painted samples and engineering prototypes of their upcoming models in both OO and N. It is, however, important to bear in mind that the show is on a number of different levels, but there are lifts available and stewards around to help. The date for next year's show is 3rd & 4th October 2020.

Chatham station is not far from the venue, but it is an uphill walk all the way. There are no Engineering Works scheduled that would disrupt travel to this show.

There will be Engineering Works between Rochester and Rainham on Saturday 14th September, with replacement buses running between these two stations, also stopping at Chatham and Gillingham stations.

I know Kerry is juggling looking after the shop, Vernon's wellbeing and their two children. I have always found Kerry and her team of helpers in the shop or at shows to be helpful.