adrianmc

Looking forward to the weekend with Sandford & Banwell (P4). We believe we are up on the second floor - come and say hi. Photograph courtesy of Steve Flint / Railway Modeller

Hi John, Would you be able to post a copy of the Show's handbill that we can download?

Which layout has had to pull out?

Regarding the Tri-ang 0-4-0T, has there been some erroneous posting? Nellie was the blue locomotive, Connie was the yellow one and Polly the red?

Thanks - appreciated. Have just logged on via World of Railways Plus and it now appears in the Archive.

For those that couldn't make the show is the Warley Special / Best of BRM edition of the magazine going to be made available as a Digital edition to those that have the World of Railways subscription (including Gold RMweb members)?

A retrospective of the Uckfield Exhibition has just been uploaded to the Uckfield Club's website. http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhib23nf.html I just wish to say thank you to Andy for agreeing to bring Butley Mills along as part of the Iain Rice Extravaganza - its appearance was much appreciated by our visitors.

A photographic retrospective of the 38th Uckfield Model Railway Exhibition has just been uploaded to the Uckfield MRC website: http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhib23nf.html There is also provisional information relating to next year's show at http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhibition.html

Regarding the Haynes Manual - Iain wanted photographs of layouts of differing design/presentation etc to illustrate ideas and concepts in the book. He therefore raided, with permission of course, the Uckfield Exhibition retrospectives at http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhibition.html He kindly sent me a signed copy of the finished product as a thank you. It's now a cherished possession.

An update on the above situation. We have received an apology from APCOA and the assurance that "all the PCN’s issued for visits on either 21st/ 22nd October have been cancelled in full". Apparently their system was recently upgraded and it appears that a technical glitch with the removal of the enforcement failed resulting in it still being live.

Dear All, The Uckfield Model Railway Club (UMRC) is aware of a developing situation regarding APCOA issuing PCNs to those using the Uckfield Station car park over the weekend of the Exhibition. As our publicity stated, by arrangement with Network Rail and APCOA, the Uckfield Station car park was free to use both on the Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October by visitors to the town and exhibition. However we had an instance of someone at the beginning of the week receiving a PCN, issued on the 3rd November, for parking on Sunday 22nd October. They contacted the Club and we passed their registration number and PCN details to our contact at APCOA with the result that the PCN has been cancelled. We thought that this may well have been a one off, but other visitors and several of our Club members have received PCNs in the post this morning, dated 9th November, and all relating to using the 'free' station car park on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October. In the short term please could anyone who has received a PCN for using the Uckfield Station car park on the 21st and/or 22nd October please email the Club using the address: enquiries "at" uckfieldmrc.co.uk quoting their car registration number and PCN number - it would also help if a copy of the PCN was attached to the email if you are able to. We will then forward details to APCOA on Monday. Please accept the Club's apologies, but rest assured we will do our utmost to get the situation resolved. A message outlining the above will be shortly be put on our website and Facebook pages. Regards Adrian

Subscription copy just arrived in the post - along with Narrow Gauge & Industrial No 136. Double delight.

For those arriving early the Uckfield Civic Centre's restaurant 'Luxfords' will be opening at 9am each day serving bacon filled and sausage filled baps along with tea/coffee. Price £5.50 https://www.civiccentreuckfield.com/restaurant/

In most cases, support is there if one asks for it, and in some instances it is even offered!

UMRC have email confirmation from APCOA Parking that all is arranged. Network Rail and APCOA have been very supportive of events in Uckfield where substantial numbers of visitors are expected. The relevant contacts were provided by Uckfield Town Council who are also very supportive of the exhibition, hosting the event in the Uckfield Civic Centre. See below a map of the centre of Uckfield and the relative locations of the Railway Station car park - and of course the Station - and the Civic Centre.

Just been asked by bcnPete to update the Wenford Dries entry in the OP with its correct gauge. It is actually 31.5mm (finescale 0) so as to improve the appearance and running whilst still using ready-to-run stock. Just checked the Exhibition Guide proof copy and it's correctly listed there - phew! Talking of the Guide, it's grown to 40 pages this year and has a track-plan and photograph for every one of the twenty layouts - only a £1 on the door.

Unfortunately the Uckfield College MRC's layout Ettington Verso is not going to be ready for the show, so they are going to be bringing College Halt instead. Following a photoshoot by Phil Parker back in May, an eight page article on the layout features in the latest issue of BRM (November 2023). OP updated.

At the Uckfield Model Railway Exhibition we have periscopes to borrow - in return for a small returnable deposit - for those who might benefit from them, including children and those in wheelchairs. It has also been known for a tall person with back problems and therefore cannot bend down very well to use one in reverse, to look down rather than up! The periscopes in question are the Spyscope which gives a large viewing slot and corresponding mirrors. They are part of the equipment offered to members of the Chiltern Model Railway Association (CMRA) to help organisers of model railway exhibitions meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts by providing access to services with the provision of an auxiliary aid - i.e. a periscope. I know that several layout owners have purchased their own for use at shows which don't have them to borrow. A quick look on internet shows them to be be about £18 plus shipping.

The Sandford & Banwell team are looking forward to the weekend - come and say hi. Photograph curtesy of Steve Flint / Railway Modeller

There is always the Bluebell Railway to visit if you arrive early - Sheffield Park is just over 7 miles from the Uckfield Civic Centre and a bit closer if coming from the exhibitor's accommodation. Last service train on the 20th arrives at 3.55pm, however there will probably be some stock movements after that, getting ready for their Curry Night Special in the evening.

38th UCKFIELD MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Incorporating Scalefour Southeast and the Iain Rice Extravaganza Organised by the Uckfield Model Railway Club. UCKFIELD CIVIC CENTRE Civic Approach Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1AE Saturday 21st October 2023 Sunday 22nd October 2023 Open 10am till 5pm both days. The 2023 Uckfield Model Railway Exhibition will once again be featuring a selection of some of the best quality layouts around. There will be full trade support as well as Demonstration and Society stands. Licensed Restaurant within the Civic Centre will be open throughout the weekend. There will be bacon/sausage baps for early arrivals to purchase - from 9am. This year sees the inclusion of Scalefour Southeast, a new Scalefour Society regional event. Featuring the Society's Publicity Stand and the Scalefour Stores, along with five P4 layouts and a full schedule of demonstrations that should appeal to railway modellers of all scales and skills. As a tribute to the well known railway modeller and author who passed away last year, we will be holding the Iain Rice Extravaganza, featuring no less than five 4mm/ft finescale layouts which were constructed by him or in which he was a major contributor. Those confirmed as attending include Butley Mills, Debenham Cade's Green, Hepton Wharf, Trerice and Longwood Edge. We also expect to have on display a selection of Iain's North Cornwall stock, built for his layout Tregarrick. This will probably be the only time these layouts will appear together - an opportunity not to be missed. The show has its usual eclectic mix of layouts, with of the 20 layouts scheduled to attend there will no less than 13 different scale/gauge combinations represented. Standard, broad and narrow gauge British. Irish, Continental and American prototypes. List of layouts expected: Northport Quay - 7mm/ft scale 36.75mm gauge (0-36.75) Compact Irish broad gauge terminus by David Holman, Kent - second exhibition. Wenford Dries - 7mm/ft scale 31.5mm gauge (finescale 0) Minimum space Cornish industrial layout by Pete Matcham, London - exhibition debut. Bedlam Brewery - 7mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (0-16.5) Narrow gauge industrial brewery scene by Andrew Dancy, East Sussex. Tony's Forest - 7mm/ft scale 14mm gauge (0-14) Narrow gauge forestry layout by Robin Edwards, Gloucestershire. Arcadia - 1:64 scale 0.884in gauge (S) Light railway terminus inspired by the Rother Valley Railway, constructed by Richard Barton, Herefordshire - BRM Mar. 2023. Debenham, Cade's Green - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4) Iain Rice's home layout portraying a Great Eastern byway. presented by the North Norfolk Area Group of the Scalefour Society - MRJ 250. Faringdon - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4) Prototypical Oxfordshire GWR branch line terminus by Rex Davidson, Shropshire - BRM Jun. 2018 and MRJs 77, 240, 270, 273, 275 & 280. Hepton Wharf - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4) L&Y branch line layout constructed as a 'build a layout in a weekend' challenge at the 1983 Scaleforum, presented by the South Hants MRC. Longwood Edge - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4) Joint LNWR and L&Y large cameo layout built by Iain Rice and Don Leeper, presented by the South Hants MRC - second exhibition. Trerice - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4) Cornish industrial scene constructed by Iain Rice, presented by the East Somerset Modellers - MRJ 213. Butley Mills - 4mm/ft scale 18.2mm gauge (EM) Iain Rice's East Suffolk Light Railway layout, renovated, modified and regauged by Andy Vincent, Hampshire - MRJ 9. Shwt - 4mm/ft scale 18.2mm gauge (EM) BR late crest (1965) western region South Wales backwater by the TLF Group, South Glamorgan - BRM Jul. 2020 and Model Rail's GBMR No 8. Ewe - 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00) Bucolic East Anglian minimum space layout by Rob Gunstone, Cardiff - BRM Oct. 2022. College Halt - 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00) Light Railway through station by the Uckfield College Model Railway Club - BRM Nov. 2023. Rodmell Green - 4mm/ft scale 9mm gauge (00-9) Small narrow gauge cement works railway by Allen Etheridge, West Sussex - exhibition debut. Kamiack Falls - 3.5mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (H0) 1970s Burlington Northern single track American scene by Antony Quinlan & Graeme Wheeler, Middlesex - CM Apr. & Jul. 2022. Cessy-en-Bois - 3.5mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (H0) French SNCF goods yard layout built by Chris Baker, displayed by Oly Turner & Chris Matthews, Kent - exhibition debut - CM Oct. 2023. Foxbury - 3mm/ft scale 12mm gauge (TT) Mid 1950s former GWR terminus layout set in the Cotswolds by Bob Brown, Gloucestershire - RM Apr. 2022. Banbury - 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N) Present day busy cross country through station by Ian Lampkin, Surrey - RM Railway of the Month Nov. 2014. Moretonhampstead - 2mm/ft scale 9.42mm gauge (2mm finescale) Prototypical Devon GWR branch line terminus by Peter Warren, Suffolk - MRJ 285. Trade expected at the present time: C&L Finescale Track Building Systems - suppliers of finescale trackwork and components Cambrian Model Rail - 4mm wagon kits and 16mmNG parts, stockists of straight wire from Eileen's Emporium Compass Model Railways - local model shop with very extensive range of accessories and ready to run rolling stock Dart Castings - miniature figures and model railway vehicle detailing parts Dingo Servo Mounts - servo mounts and control boards Golden Arrow Productions - resin kits for Southern prototypes and suppliers of bowpens for lining Green Scene - all your scenic needs Matthew Cousins GRA - railway artist, known for his views of the Bluebell Railway Model Railway Developments - detailing components and accessories Monk's Gate Models - detailed scenic accessories for 7mm scale Plus Daughters - N gauge specialist stocking British, Continental and American ready to run Rail-Books - all the latest books and publications Roger Jones - second hand ready to run Roxey Mouldings - etched kits in both 4mm and 7mm scales Scalefour Stores - supplies for the discerning modeller including 4mm Dingham couplings Severn Models - etched scenic buildings and accessories in 2mm, 4mm and 7mm scales Squires Model & Craft Tools - wide range of tools, glues and raw materials for the modeller South Eastern Finecast - 4mm scale locomotive kits and scenic builders sheets The Wagon Yard - specialist in N and 00 rolling stock W.M. Collectables - extensive range of second hand ready to run Demonstrations: Roger Sawyer - Soldering For Beginners (Sat & Sun). Paul Harding-Maggs - 2mm & 4mm scale scenery, buildings and figures (Sat & Sun) Mike Ainsworth - Converting RTR Locomotives to P4 (Sat am & Sun pm). Bob Cummings - Building P4 Turnouts, Including Ply & Rivet (Sat am). James Walters - Moving to P4, Starting in 4mm Finescale (Sat am & Sun pm). Chris Ellis - Alex Jackson Couplings (Sat pm). Ben Mason - Locomotive & Wagon Suspension (Sat pm & Sun pm). Jeremy Good - Converting RTR Wagons to P4 (Sat pm). Jeremy Good - Introducing British Finescale P4 Turnout Kits (Sun am). Roger Barron - Wagon Suspensions and Detailing (Sun am). David Lowe - CAD and 3D Printing (Sun am). Displays: Iain Rice's North Cornwall Stock for Tregarrick - display stand Uckfield Model Railway Club - membership and information stand Bentley Miniature Railway - 7.25 inch gauge ground level line in the East Sussex countryside - publicity stand. Scalefour Society - membership stand and Scalefour Jubilee Layout Challenge display Public access to the Civic Centre is via either the free High Street car park (Civic Approach), or the Tesco Superstore. The venue is also only three minutes walk away from both the railway and bus stations. Additional car parking at the station car park - with kind arrangement of Network Rail and APCOA this is also now free over the weekend. More information and layout pictures at http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhibition.html

An alternative is a modified Sprat & Winkle as per an article by Iain Rice, way back when. This is the 3mm original version, with the addition of a phosphor bronze overrider which gives the uncouple and push anywhere functionality - the overrider stopping the hook re-engaging. The loop is under the buffer centre line and is fixed in place via a piece of copper clad strip behind the buffer beam. The same copper clad provides the mount for the coupling pivot. The loop is also set slightly behind the buffer line so that when two wagons are pushed together there is a slight gap for the overriders to come up through. The top chain link is soldered perpendicular to the hook and only the bottom link is ferrous - these mods greatly reduce the incidence of the chain getting intertwined with itself and/or the chain on an adjacent item of stock when over a magnet. Locomotives just have the loop. When pushing, contact between items of stock is via the buffers and when pulling its via the couplings - just like the prototype - something I quite like as it just doesn't look right when pushing a train and the buffers don't touch. Although more obtrusive than an AJ they do have the benefit of the coupling chain links hanging down - and they do work on quite tight radii. They also have a certain robustness that once set up they seem to be able to take fairly rough treatment - a good quality to have when being bounced around in a stock box to and from an exhibition! The pictures show a Rails of Sheffield 3D printed SR van converted to P4 standards and with these modified S&W couplings fitted.

As close as I can get it.

Subscription copy just arrived in the post.

Does anyone have a list of layouts and members of the trade attending?