The Chatham Show 13th & 14th June 2015

[richierailfan72]

We are pleased to announce that the Chatham Show will be taking place again at the Medway Park Leisure Centre, Mill Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1HF.
The show will take place on Saturday 13th June from 10am to 5pm, and on Sunday 14th June from 10am to 4pm.
Entrance price is £7 per adult (No concessions).
Children under 14 are permitted free entry but must be accompanied by an adult.

 

We have over 30 quality layouts attending, with around 50 traders for all of your different needs, and 11 societies and demonstrators to interact with.

Due to holding the show within a Leisure Centre, we are unable to provide public catering as the Leisure Centre has it's own catering company, and the selection is limited. This year the Leisure Centre's catering company have agreed to provide tea and coffee for the public to purchase in Hall No.1, just behind the information stand, and we will be providing an area close by with tables and chairs to consume them, or just to take a breather. If you wish, you can bring your own food and drink for consumption.

Also there are many places within Gillingham town centre for which you can get a meal. For example, Pubs, Restaurants, Cafes, Fast Food Outlets, etc. If you are unsure where to go for these, someone from the show should be able to point you in the right direction.
 

Travelling to the show:
Directions by Road.

Travelling From London.
Follow the A2 eastbound towards Dover
Take the A289 towards Gillingham/A228/Grain
At the first Roundabout, take the 2nd exit (straight) onto A289/Wainscott Eastern Bypass
Take the 1st exit (left) at the next two roundabouts and enter the Medway Tunnel
At the Tunnel exit, take the slip road and then take the 3rd exit (right) at the Roundabout onto Maritime Way.
Take the 2nd exit (straight) at the next Roundabout onto Dock Road
Take the 1st exit (left) at the next Roundabout onto the A231 Wood Street
Carry straight on through the Traffic Lights onto the A231 Brompton Road
Turn left into Mill Road
Turn left into Medway Park

Travelling From The Coast or if the Medway Tunnel is closed if travelling from the London direction.
Follow the M2
Exit at junction 4, then turn onto the A278 Hoath Way towards Gillingham
Go straight across (2nd exit) at the next two roundabouts
At the third roundabout, take the first exit onto the A2/Sovereign Road/Watling Street
At the next roundabout, take the third exit onto the A289/Ito Way
Go straight across (2nd exit) at the next three roundabouts.
Just before the Tunnel approach, take the slip road and then take the 1st exit (left) at the Roundabout onto Maritime Way.
Take the 2nd exit (straight) at the next Roundabout onto Dock Road
Take the 1st exit (left) at the next Roundabout onto the A231 Wood Street
Carry straight on through the Traffic Lights onto the A231 Brompton Road
Turn left into Mill Road
Turn left into Medway Park
 

For any exhibitors or traders travelling on Friday, please note that the Medway Tunnel will be shut from 8pm Friday Night until 3am Saturday Morning, so if you are travelling from the Dartford Crossing or London direction, DO NOT TAKE THE A289, but continue on the M2 and either follow the instructions above, or ignore your sat-nav instruction until you come off at Junction 4 if it does not support road closures, then follow the recommended route. We would hope that anyone turning up on Friday night will be here before 8pm. If you do experience any problems and expected to arrive late, the contact the exhibition staff from the detail in your information pack as soon as possible.

 

There are spaces for over 200 vehicles (with 10 disabled bays) within the Leisure Centre Car Park, and the machines will be covered up, which means parking will be free on Saturday and Sunday. There are other various pay-and-display parking spaces and car parks, just a short distance from the Leisure Centre, with reasonable rates, but unfortunately, these are NOT REFUNDABLE.

 

Travel by Public Transport

Medway Park is a short walk (around 10 minutes) from Gillingham Railway Station with services provided by Southeastern on the High Speed, Main Line & Metro routes from London Victoria, St Pancras International, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Ramsgate or Dover Priory.

Also because of the engineering work related to the Thameslink Project, there are a lot of major timetable changes so some of the trains to Gillingham / Chatham have been re-timed.

Thameslink services WILL NOT be stopping at London Bridge until 2018. Any services from Charing Cross and Waterloo East to Gillingham will not stop at London Bridge. If travelling from Cannon Street or London Bridge, you would need to pick a service where you can change at either Lewisham, Charlton or Dartford, or travel to another London Station (For example, Victoria, Charing Cross, Waterloo East, St Pancras International, Stratford International via Stratford Main Line).

With regards to Weekend Engineering Works, the disruption is quite minimal.

Over the weekend, there is a rail replacement service between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West, but trains will be running from Maidstone to Strood.

On Sunday, there will be no rail services until after 8:15am between Ramsgate and Faversham, but this should not really affect anyone coming to the show. Also there is a rail replacement service between Plumstead and Dartford, with the Charing Cross to Gillingham service diverted between Blackheath and Dartford to additionally call at Eltham and Bexleyheath.

You can check this either the Southeastern Website (http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/) or for all UK rail services, go to National Rail Enquiries (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx) before travel so that you can plan your journey beforehand and allow extra time for your journey. 

There is also a frequent bus service from Maidstone and Chatham and Gillingham Bus Stations as well as from Chatham, Gillingham and Maidstone East Railway Station to the War Memorial bus stop (nearest stop to Medway Park). Bus No 101 runs a service roughly every 12-15 minutes until late afternoon, then every 30 minutes on Saturday, and every 30 minutes on Sunday between Maidstone Chequers Centre Bus Station and Gillingham Bus Station. (See http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/ for more details).

Please be aware that the public access to the exhibition is through the Main Entrance of the Leisure Centre (by the entrance to the Car Park off Mill Road). The disabled spaces are also near the main entrance. There is no public access to the exhibition through the gate at the back of the Leisure Centre.

Traders
3mm Scale Model Railways
A.G.L. Associates
ABC Model Railways
All Components
Andy Lynch Railways
C&L Finescale
Cambrian Models
Carriage & Wagon Models
Ceynix Railway Trees
Chalk Garden Rail
Chatham & District MRC Shop
Coastal DCC
D&E Video / DC Kits
Dakota Dibben
Dart Castings
Euroscale Models
Finishing Touches
Footplate / Flangeway
Golden Arrow Productions
Gramodels
Heritage in Motion
Hobby Holidays
Invicta Model Rail
Kent Garden Railways
Kytes Lights
Langley Models
Layouts4u
London Road Models
Mike Thorpe Photos
Model Railway Developments
MRSG (M&B Models)
Myloco Sound
N Brass Locos
Plus Daughters
R.G.Connors Signs & Graphics
Rail Books
RailRoad Trading
Ray Morris
Roger Carpenter Photographs
Roneo Models
Roxey Mouldings
S&M Tools
Simply Southern
Skytrex(2013)Ltd
South Eastern Finecast
Supercast
Taunton Controls Ltd
Wealistic Models
Woodpecker Books & Videos

Layouts
Acol 4mm 00
Ballyconnell Road 3mm 15.75m
Banbury 1:148 N
Batcombe 4mm OO
Brankstone 4mm 16.5mm
Broke Brick Mountain 14mm G
Castle Wharf Kendal 4mm 9mm OO
Chelma Canyon ON30 16.5m
Coleford 4mm OO9
Disentis/Mustair 1:87 HOm
Downsview Preserved Railway 1:76 OO
Elmgate & Thatcham Railway
Epsom/Epsom Town P4 18.83
Graubudenbahn 1:87 HOm
Harton Gill 4mm P4
Havergo Junction 4mm 00
Hopfields 1:19 O&1
Langney End 16.5 O
Lindhurst 3mm 14.2mm
Lynmouth Quay 15mm 4.5mm
North Circular 7mm O
OO Live Steam Club 4mm OO
Railways in Warfare
Ravenscroft Sidings 4mm P4
Schrottplatz Scrapyard 1/32 45mm
Smeerdijk HO+HOm 16.
Stodden Hundred Light Railway 7mm O
The Tar Works 7mm O
Turners Folly 1:76 OO
Westhouses 16.5 OO
Windsor GWR(Colorado) HO
Woodstowe 4mm OO

Societies and Demonstrators
British 1:87 Scale Society
E. M. Gauge Society
Friends of Chatham Traction
Gauge O Guild
Kent Community Rail Partnership
M.A.D. Painting
Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway
Soldering Demonstration by John Watson
South Eastern & Chatham Railway Society
Steves Model Building Service
Thames & Medway Canal Association


We look forward to your visit and hope you have a good time.

[dasatcopthorne]

Is this a complete and up to date layout and trade list, please?

 

Dave

[fulton]

No the list is almost complete but subject to the normal changes etc, any stand you were particularly thinking about?

[dasatcopthorne]

No the list is almost complete but subject to the normal changes etc, any stand you were particularly thinking about?

Fulton.

 

If it's not in this list, how would I know?

 

Dave.

[richierailfan72]

Fulton.

 

If it's not in this list, how would I know?

 

Dave.

 

Dave,

 

I have just updated the list above, but we are still awaiting confirmation from some people, so as soon as we have it, I will update it on this site.

I hope with the updated list that there is something which grabs your interest.

 

Hope to see you in June,

 

Rich.

[Mike Storey]

Rich

 

Is it possible for you to say how many of these layouts are Southern (of any era or scale) please? I will be in England for once when this is on, but up in Leeds, so I would appreciate knowing whether to make the extensive journey.

 

Thanks

Mike

[PenrithBeacon]

... but up in Leeds, so I would appreciate knowing whether to make the extensive journey

 

...

Take your own butties, the catering leaves a lot to be desired.

 

Regards

[David C]

From memory, Batcombe and Epsom/Epsom Town are Southern, but there may be others .... Many can be eliminated from the names (e.g. Graubunden) or from the scales (eg narrow gauge) or by dint of featuring on RM Web e.g. Stodden and Banbury). ..... Harton Gill is set in the North East (but very well worth seeing if you haven't seen it before - some very good modelling). Woodstowe is my layout and is an ex GWR BLT. That doesn't leave that many - try googling the remainder. Chatham is generally quite a good show with a lot of layouts/traders.

 

David C

[fulton]

There will be no direction signs to the show this year as Medway Council has added conditions which we, or any other amateur group, could not afford to meet, please use the directions above or your Sat Nav. Yes catering is limited, we will, as last year be providing a tables and chairs area for visitors food and drink. Those travelling from London by train will, subject to weekend engineering works, have the rare chance to pass through a completely new station under construction at Rochester, I understand track work, wiring, signalling are complete, platforms, canopy and station building are underway, scenic work by the end of this year.

[richierailfan72]

Remember there is only 1 month to go for the Chatham Show (13th and 14th June 2015).

We look forward to seeing you, and hope you have an wonderful time.

Regards.

The Chatham and District Model Railway Club.

[ColinW]

Anyone planning to travel by train on the Medway Valley service (Tonbridge-Strood) as part of their journey, please note there is a replacement bus service between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West on both days.

 

Colin

[richierailfan72]

Anyone planning to travel by train on the Medway Valley service (Tonbridge-Strood) as part of their journey, please note there is a replacement bus service between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West on both days.

 

Colin

Thanks ColinW for that information.

Also anyone planning to travel from Cannon Street or London Bridge, it is advised to either travel to an alternative London Station (For example, Victoria, Charing Cross, Waterloo East, St Pancras International, Stratford International via Stratford Main Line, etc.) or if you board one of these trains, will have to change at either Lewisham, Charlton or Dartford for a Gillingham Service.

On Sunday, there are no trains between Plumstead and Slade Green, with buses running between Plumstead and Dartford. The Charing Cross to Gillingham service will be diverted between Blackheath and Dartford, additionally calling at Eltham and Bexleyheath.

This should not affect anyone, but on Sunday there will be no trains between Ramsgate and Faversham, only until 8:15am, with buses replacing trains.

For more information, you can check http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx, and enter your date of travel.

[Littlethorpe]

Banbury appears to be the only N Gauge layout so I might give the exhibition a miss this year.

 

David

[dakrail]

Always a good show though David, I will certainly be attending, I can't wait!

[richierailfan72]

Banbury appears to be the only N Gauge layout so I might give the exhibition a miss this year.

 

David

I must apologise for the lack of N-Gauge layouts, but the person who organises the layouts for the show could only get hold of Banbury, and he can no longer get to many exhibitions to check out layouts. We will be asking our members to be on the lookout for N Gauge layouts for our show next year, but if anyone has a suggestion for us, and they may be available for next year, please could you post either a link to their website, or some other contact details to us. 

[richierailfan72]

We have now got confirmation that the parking WILL BE FREE on Saturday and Sunday. This will be obvious by the Pay and Display machines in the car park being covered up over the weekend.

Note that a the car park is run by Medway Council, and that it will also be used by other people either using the Leisure Centre facilities or to go shopping in the town.

This does mean that the car park will generally get busy around mid to late morning on Saturday, but usually on either early Saturday morning,Saturday afternoon or Sunday is generally quieter.

There are some car parks, as well as parking spaces on the roads which are Pay and Display within a short distance of the Leisure Centre with reasonable rates, but these can not be refunded.

Some of the road in the area are permit parking only so you will be unable to park there.

[PenrithBeacon]

So the railway is knackered for the weekend, car parking is an issue and the catering is, as always, dreadful. Is there an alternative venue for the future?

 

On the other hand, excellent modelling and trade support, but that goes for elsewhere too.

 

Sorry about this but I won't be attending.

 

Regards

[roundhouse]

On a more upbeat view we are looking forward to bringing Banbury.

 

A few new items we will have running at the show..

[fulton]

Maybe we are being too honest, and over stating any down sides to the show, which are on a par with many other modern sports facilities, rather than talking about the excellent selection of layouts, traders and supporting stands, Medway Park has some excellent points, the main being two large halls with good lighting, there is not an alternative venue in the Medway Towns so it will be Medway Park for now.

[Gordon H]

Probable a bit late to worry about it now, but I note that this show is not listed in the Exhibition and Events calendar.

[jonathan452]

Regarding the train situation don't forget also one can also travel directly from Waterloo East which connects directly in-to Southwark Station on the Jubilee Line as well as the main (South West Trains) station.

 

This offsets the current London Bridge closure for trains originating from Charing Cross. (Canon Street would have been of limited use anyway; plus there are no Circle or District Lines through there this weekend.)

 

It's hardly (in response to Penrith Beacon - post 17) as if there is a complete closure through Gillingham (as per many other weekends during the past year or so).

 

Though will definitely be thinking about Gillingham High Street for my catering options.

[Flood]

It is with significant regret that we have had to withdraw Aberdeen Kirkhill from the show this weekend. Due to circumstances that happened last weekend my fellow owner has had to devote his time to other matters.

 

This was going to be the last show we attended for about a year and a half anyway. Hopefully we will be able to have another invite to the Chatham show in about 2 years time.

[richierailfan72]

It is with significant regret that we have had to withdraw Aberdeen Kirkhill from the show this weekend. Due to circumstances that happened last weekend my fellow owner has had to devote his time to other matters.

 

This was going to be the last show we attended for about a year and a half anyway. Hopefully we will be able to have another invite to the Chatham show in about 2 years time.

Sorry to hear this. I hope that it is nothing too serious, and hope to see you at the 2017 show.

All the best,

Rich.

[richierailfan72]

Regarding the train situation don't forget also one can also travel directly from Waterloo East which connects directly in-to Southwark Station on the Jubilee Line as well as the main (South West Trains) station.

 

This offsets the current London Bridge closure for trains originating from Charing Cross. (Canon Street would have been of limited use anyway; plus there are no Circle or District Lines through there this weekend.)

 

It's hardly (in response to Penrith Beacon - post 17) as if there is a complete closure through Gillingham (as per many other weekends during the past year or so).

 

Though will definitely be thinking about Gillingham High Street for my catering options.

In reply to the railway situation, it was a good idea mentioning the possibility of travelling from Waterloo East. All Gillingham services usually depart from Platform D.

This weekend's services are pretty good as there is hardly any disruptions on the railway, (The Medway Valley line between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West has a replacement bus service both days, and on Sunday a replacement bus service between Plumstead and Dartford, with Charing Cross to Gillingham services diverted via Bexleyheath, but this should not delay the service too much or at all), so we are very lucky in that respect for anyone travelling by train.

Over most of the weekends since the new year, the trains through the Medway Town have been heavily disrupted due to several things occurring on the line (ongoing construction of the new Rochester Station, a new bay platform at Rainham, extension of Strood Station to accommodate 12-car trains, and the big one is Part 2 of the resignalling of the Kent Coast line all the way from Sittingbourne to Strood, Longfield and the Medway Valley line from Strood to Maidstone and Paddock Wood which should have been completed by Easter, but has been delayed due to commissioning problems).

If you are lucky, you could also possibly spot one the of two Class 375 3-car Electrostars (375301 and 375306) which have been repainted in the same colours as the Class 395 Javelin High Speed Trains, with a small difference being that at it's First Class section, it has a yellow rectangle over the window between the doors and the driver's cab. Eventually all of the Southeastern Class 375 Electrostars will be painted this colour, but the plan is to get the 3-car units done first.

Also if you are travelling by train on the North Kent line on Saturday between Woolwich Arsenal and Abbey Wood, you can see the progress being made on the Crossrail project, or the work being carried out at London Bridge for Thameslink upgrade, as Platforms 5 and 6 have now been demolished.

[grahame]

Is Banbury the only N or 2mm layout that will be at the show this weekend?

 

G.