Sunday, January 19, 2020

Chiltern Model Rail Show 2020

Meeting on the creek

Sunny Stevenage for Sunday and a feast of quality layouts to enjoy. There were too many to list but a couple really stuck in my mind.

Above you see the Orange River and Portland railway in Fn3 (Finescale G gauge). It's a massive layout hat really makes use of the larger scale to provide some amazing scenic detail. The team behind the model (the Hallellujah Players) have basically done everything you would in a small scale, but big. Everything is weathered, buildings and much of the rolling stock is scratchbuilt.

Nonsuch brick train

The other model that really stood out is Nonsuch. Regular readers will know I like the unusual and in a world where steampunk is now considered run-of-the-mill, it's time to push the boundaries a bit further with a layout populated by mice.

On the face of it, this sounds like a terrible idea, but in Derek Reevse's hands, the quality of the modelling makes it all work. I've seen this sort of thing where the builder has come up with an interesting idea and then executed it badly. Not here. All the modelling is top-notch and there are well-designed animations. It's a crowd-pleaser all right, but most of those who will pooh-pooh it wouldn't be able to put buildings together as well as this.



Trade was good with anything I couldn't find probably not available. The second-hand stall relieved me of a few quid too.

Cakes were excellent although you needed to get in quick for chocolate orange flapjack at the centre's cafe as there were only a couple of slices left after I bagged mine before entry.


Inside the hall, the tea bar was well stocked with very appealing doughnuts but I skipped those as one cake is plenty, or at least that's what I tell myself!

Anyway, the photo collection is one of the largest for a long while thanks to the quality of displays. You can see it on Flickr.

3 comments:

Woz said...

G'day Phil,

Firstly a massive CONGRATULATIONS on over 5000 Blog post & may you enjoy many more cakes & the occasional beer too, haa hhhaaaa.

In reference to the Fn3 Orange River & Portland Railway, do you have an overall picture the model railway please ?

In reference to the Flickr Pics - the 1st 3 & the 3rd last pic of boats on the wavy blue/grey water, do you know what the water is made of or how it was done ?

Also some of the model pics on both your Blog & Flickr, it would be good to know what scale they are ?

Cheers Woz

Woz said...

G'day Phil,

Firstly a massive CONGRATULATIONS on over 5000 blog post, truly impressive.

In regards to your recent Flickr pics, the first 3 & the 3rd last pic - do you know what the water is made of or how it was done ?

It would also be good to know the scale of models in your pics on your Blog & Flickr ?

I hope you enjoy plenty more shows, cakes & beers, hhaa hhhaaa.

Cheers Woz

Phil Parker said...

Woz

Overall pic - no I don't. The position of the layout was such I couldn't get one without other layouts in the way. I'm working on getting it to a Warners show though so there may be a chance. There's also going to be a Garden Rail article too, I have the first draft so I'll see what the owners have.

Water - Don't know. Didn't have time to find out at the show. It always tends to be a bit of a mad dash!

Scale - Good point. I'll try to do this in future.