My "Great British Train Show", Brampton, ON, Visit

[Mike Boucher]

Hi folks,

 

As seen in a different thread on this forum, every 2 years, the folks in the "Platelayers society" in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, host the "Great British Train Show".

 

I'm a member of the Gauge O Guild, and there's a small group of members from the Northeast US/Canada known as "USGONE".  On member, Glen, has built a 7mm layout to display.  I had heard from my fellow members that it was worth attending.

 

With it being held this year, and Glen bringing his layout, this year I decided to make a bit of a road trip.  Boston->Toronto->Horseshoe Curve->Boston.  In this thread, I'll talk about the show.  I'll eventually get another thread for the 12" = 1' scale stuff...

 

Overall, the show was smaller than I expected (it fit in a hockey rink, 200' x 85').  Not a lot of O scale for sale but more layouts than I expected, and no N either for sale on on exhibit. Lots of HO/OO.  The quality of the layouts on exhibit was fantastic, and I'm glad I made the trip.  I took quite a few photos, and I'll share some here.  And I know I didn't get photos of everything.

 

Here's a panoramic of the entire show...

 

 

As for layouts we'll start with the layout I came to "play with".  Sorven Town.  We had electrical issues, so operating was severely limited.  But, we were switching around wagons with an Ixion Hudswell Clarke.

Here's a view of the layout
 

 

A view down the layout showing the track plan

 

 

The station end...

 

 

Switching in action...

 

 

I've been working on a Connoisseur "Jinty", and I got it to a state were I felt I could display it.  (This was actually the first time I attached the body to the chassis.)  There's no motor/gearbox/pickups yet, but its close to looking like a Jinty.

 

And, a shameless plug for my workbench thread     If you want to follow along with the build, here's where it started:  http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/18405-bouchs-workbench-7mm-jinty/?p=2634050

 

More to come...

[brossard]

Thanks for sharing those pictures Mike.  I didn't realise it was you that I was talking to about Jintys.  I had a wonderful time playing guest operator on Roweham.  My first time in a long time shunting trains and my very first time operating O gauge. 

 

There seemed to be more O gauge than I remember from past shows but still not enough.

 

Very happy that you had a good visit.

 

John

[Mike Boucher]

Hi John,

 

I enjoyed Roweham.  Nice layout, and looked like it was fun to operate.  I loved the station building, great little structure.  So, here's a few photos I took of that layout.

 

 

 

I had taken some closer-up photos, but I literally purchased the camera a week before the show, so I'm still getting used to it.  The depth of field isn't as good as I had hoped in "auto" mode, so I'll have to remember my tripod and use a small F-Stop when taking photos at shows.

I remember talking to you folks about my Jinty, just not sure which person you were.      Roweham was also my first time seeing a Minerva Pannier "in the flesh", and now I'm really looking forward to mine arriving (a 57xx riveted in "Great Western", should be shipping imminently.)

And be careful, once you start playing with O scale, the gravitational force pulling you towards it can get quite strong!

[brossard]

Hi Mike, I'm the guy in the white shirt in pic 2.  Thanks for posting these, I had my camera but was having so much fun, didn't take any pictures.  The layout is great to operate and I'm grateful to Brian for inviting me.

 

Your warning about 0 gauge comes too late for me, I've already crossed the event horizon.

 

Having done 4mm/00 for 30 years, I thought it remarkable that my perception has changed in that 4mm stock seems incredibly tiny now.  Never gave it a thought before.

 

John

[DanielB]

And be careful, once you start playing with O scale, the gravitational force pulling you towards it can get quite strong!

 

You aren't kidding!

 

As a die hard N scaler, the mere fact that I've sold my entire N scale collection to fund an O scale layout speaks volumes to the strength of that force!

 

Thanks for the photos, it's nice to see the flip side of modelling US practice in the UK. I'd no idea there were UK modellers in the US who made such "British" looking layouts - small shunting layouts representing small British prototypes. It's great!

[Mike Boucher]

Next set of photos.  As you know, Rapido was the sponsor, and BRM magazine joined in with a Micro layout built by Phil Parker to offer as a raffle prize.  (yes, I bought 3 tickets, no, I didn't win)  Phil's layout, Didsbury Green, looked fantastic.  Well thought out, well executed, and oozed "British atmosphere" everywhere.

To add to the British atmosphere, they drew attention to themselves with this storage facility.

 

 

Rumor had it that it was larger on the inside, so it could hold a lot of stuff.

Rapido was showing off some of its latest projects...

 

"The Pendolino" in N scale...

 

 

A few North American prototypes, the "Turbo Train" in N and a "Royal Hudson" in HO, as well as cars for the Pendolino.

 

 

A GER/LNER J70 tram engine in OO.

 

The LNER dynamometer car in OO.

 

You can also see the top of the the GNR Stirling Single in OO.  What a magnificent little model, tempted to get one as a "shelf queen"   (or dare to let my 13 year old son play with it on his HO "Youth in Model Railroading" modular layout at various model train shows in and around Massachusetts)

 

They also showed OO Gunpowder vans in development, but my photos came out "unpublishable".  

As for Phil's contribution...  Hard to put it in words other than "inspiring" and "damn, I really wish that had come home with me".  It looked both larger than it was, but not "squished together" at the same time, and the level of modelling is superb.

 

 

With a lot of modelers here in the US thinking they need a basement size layout with towering scenery, seeing a layout such as this really gives a different perspective.  I'm not a BRM subscriber, but I'm sorely tempted to give them a ring and purchase the issues where this construction of this layout is described.  Well done, Phil.  It was nice to meet you and chat for a bit.

[BR60103]

Mike & John:

Thanks for coming to our show. I got so busy with my own works that I didn't get around to talk to the exhibitors.  I didn't even spend my money!

We must have been within a couple of miles of your place last year, Mike, along the Turnpike.

 

We usually have N scale and almost always "No, it's not N scale". (2mm fs)

[Mike Boucher]

Quick return to Roweham.  I uploaded a short video of trains operating.  Focus isn't great, still learning the new camera.  But I think what I did take captures some of the operation.

Edited May 6, 2018 by Mike Boucher

[Phil Parker]

With a lot of modelers here in the US thinking they need a basement size layout with towering scenery, seeing a layout such as this really gives a different perspective.  I'm not a BRM subscriber, but I'm sorely tempted to give them a ring and purchase the issues where this construction of this layout is described.  Well done, Phil.  It was nice to meet you and chat for a bit.

 

Thanks for the kind comments Mike. I'll admit, I'm pleased with the way the layout came out.

 

For backnumbers - if you are very, very quick, you can have the digi ones for 99p each - https://pocketmags.com/british-railway-modelling-magazine/issues - You need Jan - May. There will also be a follow-up covering the show in July.

[Phil Parker]

In case anyone needs another shot of the Stirling and Dynamometer coach, I took one on Saturday.

 

[Mike Boucher]

Thanks for the kind comments Mike. I'll admit, I'm pleased with the way the layout came out.

 

For backnumbers - if you are very, very quick, you can have the digi ones for 99p each - https://pocketmags.com/british-railway-modelling-magazine/issues - You need Jan - May. There will also be a follow-up covering the show in July.

 

Thanx.  I just ordered all issues, plus the track plan book.  I suspect I'll have the printer busy tomorrow at work.

[Owd Sweedy]

Hi Mike, glad you could make it to the show. Although it's not as big as Springfield for example, it is unique in whole of North America for being 100% British in content, both traders exhibits. We were right behind Sorven Town with Brewery Lane on our maiden exhibition . We also had an electric ( switch) failure and couldn't shunt the rear sidings. This was a pity as we had it arranged to be isolated and run on a separate controller, allowing two trains to work the layout at the same town. We are using DKC, (Direct Knob Control :-)) operated from the front so we can interact with visitors and throwing switches by hand, as done on the real thing.

[Dominion]

Thanks for showing Brewery Lane. I had a nice chat with you or your co-exhibitor as you were out front, and enjoyed seeing the layout in operation. I liked the suggestion of trees and a skyline on the right side of the back scene too.

Regards, Tom

[Mike Boucher]

Hi Mike, glad you could make it to the show. Although it's not as big as Springfield for example, it is unique in whole of North America for being 100% British in content, both traders exhibits. We were right behind Sorven Town with Brewery Lane on our maiden exhibition . We also had an electric ( switch) failure and couldn't shunt the rear sidings. This was a pity as we had it arranged to be isolated and run on a separate controller, allowing two trains to work the layout at the same town. We are using DKC, (Direct Knob Control :-)) operated from the front so we can interact with visitors and throwing switches by hand, as done on the real thing.

There's nothing as big as Springfield   (assuming you're talking about Springfield, MA)  But, the "100% British content" is why I drove from Boston to Toronto for the show.  It was worth the all-day drive.

 

Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of your layout, but I liked what you've done.  Hoping to see it again in a couple years.

[Mike Boucher]

Next layout from the show.  "Nether Upton and Upper Leaside".  This is a joint-effort by Dave Knight, who built Nether Upton, and Mark Stapleton, who built Upper Leaside.   They joined their two layouts togeher using a 3' radius 90 degree corner to form an L shaped layout.    Built to 4mm scale, P4 track.

I loved this layout.  I'll confess that it got my vote in the layout competition.  I liked the track plans, the scenery was very well done, the 4mm models were great.  I liked the "theme", small branch lines pre-WWII with small locomotives doing their daily tasks.  I don't think there was anything about it I didn't like.  (and hopefully none of the other exhibitors are offended   )

Here's some scenes on "Upper Leaside"

 

 

 

Note the "Platelayers" Private Owner wagon.

 

 

 

 

This little Southern engine was built from an etched brass kit.  Unfortunately, I don't remember the manufacturer.  I think Mark did a wonderful job building and painting it.

 

And a panoramic of the entire scene  (click to zoom in, its about 6000 x 800 pixels)

 

 

And "Nether Upton"

 

 

 

 

And a short video of some of the operation

 

[Mike Boucher]

Next up, a couple reasonably large loop layouts.

 

Ardleigh Bitton is an OO gauge layout based on BR in the 50s.  "presented by William Bickley & Friends".  10' x 18' 

 

Somehow, almost all the photos I took that actually showed trains runnig thru the scenes came out with awful depth-of-field, but these should give you the idea of the quality of the layout.

 

 

 

 

One corner of this layout was this lovely little arched bridge over a canal.

 

 

 

 

The British Model Railway Club of Montreal brought "Allingham".  A 21 1/2' x 14' OO layout, named after the last surviving WW I British veteran.

 

 

 

Not the greatest photo, but you get a feel for the large shed area on this layout

 

 

and tucked into a short siding off the turntable you see a young man peeking over a fence at an engine which needs a little TLC

 

 

I originally took this photo because of the signal.  Not until I got home did I notice that one track has Southern outside 3rd rail.  Looking at other photos, you can also see it on one of the tracks around the entire layout.  Interesting detail that I didn't notice originally  (and when I watched, I didn't see any Southern electrics running).

 

[brossard]

Nice to see pics of the Montreal layout Mike.  I had quite a lot to do with building it.  Most of the turnouts are handbuilt on PCB.  The signals actually do work, a rare thing in my experience.  The third rail is a nice touch.  Some members do have SR electric stock.

 

John

[Theakerr]

One or two videos on U-tube.  I liked this one 

[Mike Boucher]

One or two videos on U-tube.  I liked this one

I'm the guy fiddling with the 3 link couplers on "Sorven Town" at about the 9:15 timestamp    I'm FAMOUS!!! 

 

I also make a quick cameo at about 17:55, exiting the show in a green "USGONE" shirt.  USGONE stands for 'US Gauge O North East", the eastern US group of Gauge O Guild members.

Edited May 11, 2018 by Mike Boucher

[BR60103]

and that's me! doing card kits at about 18 minutes. 

[Phil Parker]

Who's that bloke at the end? And why is there a Duette plugged into his little layout?

 

All will be revealed in the July issue of BRM...

[Mike Boucher]

Next installment are photos of the last few, smaller layouts on display that I got photos of.  I missed getting photos of several.  Apologies to the exhibitors of those layouts.

 

First is "Cardmore Halt", by Mike Pearson and Phil West.  An OO layout based on 50-60s GWR.  I'll admit when I hear "halt", I think of a small rural station, but this is quite urban.

 

 

 

"Marmadale Wharf", by Derek Uttley.  An OO layout in post-war to Modern.

 

 

 

 

And the last layout I got photos of, "Crowsnest Tramway", by Craig Parry.  The most "finished" display I think I've ever seen.  I have furniture that isn't finished as well as this display case.  Simple track plan, but exquisite workmanship.

 

 

Craig also had quite a display of narrow gauge models.

 

I found particular interest in the Neil Sayer Baldwin gas mechanical models, as I have the 7mm version in my "to do" pile.  Craig had two of the 16mm versions on display.

 

Finally (for layouts), Witzend Sidings, by Peter Hughes. An OO "inglenook" switching puzzle he would let people try.  There were 8 wagons on the layout.  He would shuffle cards, and pull 5.  You can see the 5 cards sitting on top of the backdrop.  You would then have to switch the wagons around so those 5 were on the "main" track, in the right order.  I didn't get a chance to play, but it looked like great fun.

 

[Mike Boucher]

Last of my photos.  This time, some of the static displays.

 

The Gauge 1 Model Railway Association was there, displaying some of their 1.75" gauge equipment.  (http://www.g1mra.com/)

 

 

 

 

There were a few demonstrators doing work on models.  One gentleman (who's name I've lost) was demonstrating building etched brass kits.  He was working on an OO scale GE passenger car from a D&S models kit.  I talked to him a bit, showing him my 7mm D&S models GE horsebox, talking about building the models and trying to paint varnished teak.  Here is one of the completed models he had on display.

 

 

This 7 1/2" gauge live steam engine was on display. It didn't appear to be finished, as the backhead was completely unplumbed, but it looks nice.

 

 

at the Platelayers table was this "OO" scale Rowland Emmett train.  Yes, it has a powered chassis, and the owner ran it back and forth on a small section of track.  I would love to see the loading gauge for this one



And that's it for me.

 

I closing, I would like to thank everyone involved with this show.  The Platelayers did a great job organizing the show, everything seemed to run smoothly.  The quality of exhibitors was fantastic.  I had never seen any of the layouts (except the one I was helping with) and they were all worth seeing.  Rapido and Phil from BRM deserve thanks for their sponsorship.  Met a lot of new people, and have connected with a few of them here on RMWeb.  This trip has given me a bit of a "modellers push", my head is filled with ideas and inspiration for projects to be done.  Well done to all.  Hope to see everyone in 2 years.