Eaton

Thanks for posting the photos of 'Bewdley', it was to be my next post, so you have saved me a job. Looking through the photographs of the ten layouts so far featured I'm stuck by the high standard of modelling. If your interest is O or N gauge, steam or diesel, British or Continental superb modelling is something that everyone can appreciate and enjoy regardless of preference. I usually find that the actual model i.e. a moving reality, is an improvement on a static image so I'm really looking forward to seeing them in the exhibition hall. Our Exhibition Manager needs congratulating for assembling these gems. He is one of those shy retiring types so I hope my glowing endorsement will not prove to be to much of an embarrassment.

Please note I have updated the layout list giving a few more details and the layout sizes. Anyone interested in purchasing Advance Tickets can now obtain them via our website at www,wiganfrm.org.uk

With regards to the additions to the original layout list we are greatly indebted to the Merseyside & South West Lancashire Group of the OO9 Society for providing five of the layouts and to Warrington Model Railway Club who gave us the sixth. Many Thanks!!

Another set of photographs from the layout list. This one a OO example.

THE TRADERS LIST FOR THE 2022 EXHIBITION Artmaster Ltd (Brushes4Models) Bill Hudson Books D C Kits Digitrains Ltd. Dingo Servo Mounts Durham Trains of Stanley EBMA Hobby & Craft Nick Tozer Railway Books Holder Collectables International Railway Master Index JAVmar JS Models LCUT Creative Leigh Models & Hobbies LOCO Fleet Shop Made in Manchester Pennine Models Powerbond Glue RAIL stuff Enwins 3D Models Road Transport Images Sweets of Yesteryear Ten Commandments The Junction Box TTCDiecast.com Vintage Prints Elecra Rail C & L Track Systems

UPDATED LAYOUT LIST ALLOA OO Scottish Regional Study Group 1950 / 1960 Central Scotland 31ft x 12ft ALSTON N Newcastle & District M.R.S. B.R. 1957 to 1966 5ft x 1.6ft APPLEDORE OO Bob Hawes, Warrington B.R. (S) North Devon 18ft x 2ft BEWDLEY OO Wirral & North Wales M.R.C. Bewdley Station in the 1960's 18ft x 8.6ft BRYNCRUG Sidings 7mm/NG Andy Biggs, Preston Talyllyn Railway in the 1940's. 6ft x 2ft CARROWBEG OO Ian Mulroy, Poulton-le-Fylde Irish Railways, Westport, Co. Mayo 1980 to 2010 24ft x 10ft CASTLE CAEREINION OO9 Martyn Harrison, Scottish Borders North Wales Narrow Gauge 8ft x 1ft CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH OO Leeds M.R.S. Barry Oliver 1955/61 B.R. in the Peak District 30ft x 15ft CHARWELTON INTO THE 1980's OO CBM Diesel Group B.R. 1980's in the Midlands 37ft x 11ft CLAIRMONT OLD QUAY ONG Ian Shulver, Southport M.R.S. Mineral Line in the North Midlands 8.6ft x 1.6ft COLONIAL TURTLE BAY OO9 Rob Rossington, Huyton 12ft x 2ft DALLAM N Simon Fenton, Wigan FRM 2001 Virgin, Freightliner, EWS in the Warrington Area 20ft x 3.6ft DYNA HYFRYD N Les Nehrlich, Preston & District M.R.S. Post Privatisation 1995 to Date 30ft x 14ft EASTWOOD P4 Ray Hodson, South Hants M.R.C. Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 1895 to 1922 32ft x 12ft ESTATE RAILWAY QUAY 7mm Ng Colin Oldfield, Rainhill M.R.c. Pioneering Estate Railway of the early 1800's. 5ft x 1ft GLEBE LANE O Ian Futers, Norfolk Late 1970's to early 1980's in Central Scotland 14ft x 6ft GREAT ENDON OO Jeremy Davison, Preston Northern Rail in Lancashire 1995 to present day. 18ft x 8.6ft HARLYN PIER O Peter Beckle,y West Sussex B.R. (SR) in North Cornwall 23ft x 2.6ft HOPE UNDER DINMORE EM David Bridges, South Hants M.R.C. LNWR/GWR Joint on Shrewsbury to Hereford Line 1904 / 1922 20ft x 11.6ft JAMES STREET N Steve Wright, Essex 1955 / 1966 B.R. Midland and Eastern Trains 22ft x 13ft MORDAUNT STREET O Bill Campbell East Kilbride M.R.C. B.R. South East Glasgow 21.6ft x 2.6ft NEW SHARON On2 Bob Harper, Sale Maine (USA) 2ft Narrow Gauge 25ft x 9ft NEWBURY MILLS OO Eric Robinson, Blackburn & East Lancs M.R.S. B.R. 1960/70 in Lancashire 16ft x 4ft NEWCHAPEL JUNCTION O Steve Wilkins S.R. & G.W.R. in the Yeovil area. 55ft x 23ft NEW MILLS N David Forshaw, Ormskirk 1990 / 1992 West Coast Mainline in Carnforth Area. 24ft x 9ft NORTH BALLACHULISH EM Andy Cooper, Rochdale 1970/71 West Highlands of Scotland 16ft x 9ft OLD OAK YARD OO Gn15 Colin Hayes, Preston 15-inch Heywood Estate Railway in the North West PAYNTERS GREEN O Nick Rapkin & Mike Taylor (RIP) Blackpool & North Fylde M.R.C. L.N.E.R. & L.M.S. in the East Midlands 18ft x 3ft PRESCOT AGGREGATES OO9 Society Built by our late friend Roger Christian This is a Free Lance OO9 layout 4ft x 2ft PURGATORY PEAK On30 Macclesfield M.R.C. Shaun Horrocks Mining in Colorado, with the Denver & Rio Grande R & R in the 1930,s 32ft x 10ft SHIREBROOK N Duncan & Janet Hunnisett, West Yorkshire 1980 / 93 B.R. Eastern Region in the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire coalfields 21ft x 7.6ft SMETHURST JUNCTION OO Hazel Grove & District M.R.S. Steve Holmes 1990's to the present in North Manchester 25ft x 2ft STANLEY JUNCTION N East Kilbride M.R.C. Jeff Hawkins B.R. Perth area of East Scotland 20ft x 4ft TUNLEY MARSH N Warrington M.R.C. Chris Tungate Late 1950's Western Region 8.6ft x 1.6ft ULAVRY STRAND HOe Charlie Insley, Macclesfield Southern Sweden on the shore of Lake Vattern 4ftx 2ft YARD No. 2 P4 David Barrett, Western-Super- Mare GWR/LNER/BR Branchline / small goods yard in the London Area 13ft x 1.6ft 36 Layouts on the list instead of the original 30.

With regards to Harlyn Pier, is that not a superb photograph? I speak from personal experience when I say that having your layout photographed is a daunting proposition as the camera can be very unforgiving. Focusing in on details that are not normally seen at close range but usually viewed from two of three feet away can highlight previously unnoticed flaws. Not so in this photograph, the detail is exceptional, the weathered stonework, the van in the distance with the door open for loading, the worn timber stanchion in the foreground and have you ever seen mud better modeled! Have you noticed how the stonework on the steps is graded in colour to reflect the receding waterline. I also like the colour consistency, everything is toned down, yes there is colour but nothing shouts at you. One thing is certain, the builder has an eye for observational detail, and I think this is one of those layouts that rewards prolonged and careful looking. It is a truism that the longer you look the more you see. I feel this will truly be the case with Harlyn Pier and I can't wait to see the real thing. Just my kind of layout!!!

With Wigan FC playing away that car park would normally be free but very little is normal these days. Rest assured we will check it out nearer the time and make everybody aware of what is going on.

A little bit of good news. Wigan Athletic are playing away from home on our exhibition weekend. The significance of this is, given that the DW Stadium is just across the road from our venue, is that car parking should be easier and the bar in the Sports Centre will be not as crowded.

Without substantial trade support you are looking at a huge increase in admission charges. I would estimate somewhere between 50% and 100%. Also good balanced trade support was always seen as an attraction to visitors. There is also the impact that reduced trade support has on Guidebook production. Trade Advertising is a significant factor in contributing to the cost of printing and publication. We must just wait and see but it is not a happy place to be.

For us at least the whole exhibition picture has changed. The nature of the trade support, the backbone of any exhibition, has seen the most dramatic change. We used to enjoy seeing our exhibition populated by those small specialist traders who would provide modelers with the materials they needed for our hobby. Many are now trading on-line, some have been sold to larger enterprises, some have taken the opportunity to retire and others just view exhibitions as to much of a risk. Either way the risk to our exhibition is significant in the loss of income. As we are not supported by a large Model Railway Society, being now five friends who decided to continue to organise the Wigan Exhibition after the former Wigan Club disbanded, we simply cannot afford to make a loss. Therefore this coming exhibition is very significant. The debriefing meeting after the exhibition may prove to be historic. If you are wondering how five people manage what is quite a large show on their own, (we are indeed not superhuman) but are assisted by our colleagues from the Wirral and others who over the years have kept our enterprise afloat. Ultimately the continuation of the Wigan Exhibition will depend on the visitors through the door so I can only echo the previous post in asking for everyone's support.

UPDATED LIST POSTED ON 9th JULY

Very glad my Signal box went to a good home.

Once upon a time we were in the position of being able to invite whichever layouts we wished with neither cost, scale or period being a problem. Under those circumstances it was not difficult to produce a balanced exhibition, the only real issue being availability. Not so nowadays, costs are a massive limiting factor as well as the unpredictable state of the times we live in. It is only a matter of weeks ago that the group decided to go ahead with the show as there have been some massive hurdles that we have had to circumvent. Rest assured that we have tried to produce the best exhibition we can and hope people will support our efforts. Over the next days and weeks I shall try and post photographs of the layouts on the list so you can get a flavor of what awaits visitors in October. Whilst there maybe gaps in the coverage ( I have an interest in Cambrian and I notice there are no Cambrian layouts) you will be able to clearly see that the quality is still very high. Regarding my Cambrian interest, it is not just the fact that there are none at Wigan, there are rarely any Cambrian layouts at any exhibitions. However it has not stopped me attending exhibitions and I hope the lack of American & Continental HO will not deter Long Island Jack or other visitors from travelling to Wigan.

Updated List to Follow.