[E]verything you need to build a model railway and fully detail it will be available to purchase at this years Workington Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November.
A variety of traders will be in attendance including, from almost as far south as you can get, Squires Tools from Bognor Regis. They have probably the largest range of tools, paints and modelling accessories to be found at any exhibition. C&M Models from Carlisle specialise in new Ready to Run (RTR) models from the major manufacturers. Because there is such a big range if you want anything in particular you are advised to contact them beforehand and ask if they can bring it for you. They will not be bringing any Continental models unless specifically requested.
Crafty Hobbies of Barrow-in-Furness not only have a large range of RTR but also second-hand models.
MTFG travel all the way from Reeth in Yorkshire and will have a varied range of those ‘hard to find’ items that modellers need.
Stevensons Carriages and Millholme models will make the long journey from Chesterfield with a selection of locomotive and carriage kits. Of note are model kits for both Maryport & Carlisle and Furness Railway Locomotives. In addition he should have examples of a new range of Furness coaches, expected to be available early in the New Year.
Lancaster Models will be making another appearance at the show with a large range of second-hand models.
Their will be a number of other stalls selling a variety of items to help the modeller or, if looking for a Christmas present for somebody!
Most of the traders will purchase collections or just individual models so if you have anything you want to dispose of then you should bring it along and talk to them. They will always offer a fair price.
To be launched at the exhibition is a new Private Owner Wagon, specially commissioned and only available from C&M Models, of a Carrs of Carlisle wagon. Carrs gave special permission for their logo to be used on the wagon so it is unique and correct. The wagon is manufactured by Dapol, who are based in Wales, for ‘OO’ gauge but they can be easily converted to other 4mm gauges if required.
Not to be outdone Crafty Hobbies will have their latest Private Owner Wagon on sale. This has also been manufactured by Dapol for ‘OO’ gauge. It is a model of a Dalton-in-Furness, Co-operative Society, liveried wagon. Both wagons are produced in limited numbers so get them while you can.
A number of Societies will be in attendance including the Cumbrian Railway Association, who will have on sale copies of their new book, ‘Introduction to Cumbrian Railways’. This lavishly illustrated book is what it says on the cover, ‘an Introduction’. It covers all the lines that ran in the county and as you might expect those in West Cumbria but did you know just how many there were? Have a look on the map and you may be amazed at just how many lines ran in such a small area.
They are all covered in detail in the book with pointers as to where to go to find out more. Workington Transport Heritage Trust will be present looking to sell you something but also to enlist your help in there objective of having a permanent home to display their buses and other transport items. They have just been told they have to vacate the Old Fire Station and desperately need new premises so if you can help please speak to them.
The Derby Lightweight Preservation Group are restoring one of the earliest diesel multiple units to run in the country on British Railways in Cumberland.
Find out more and possibly either donate or join this active group. Sian is a 15 inch gauge locomotive that has its home in Ravenglass Museum, when not running on lines around the country but it needs quite a bit of money spent to keep it on track. Stan Buck will be on hand to enlighten visitors.
Eden Valley Railway Trust are working to bring the line back into use between Warcop and Appleby in the first instance. They already carry passengers on the first two and a half miles during the summer months. The local Derwent Railway Society, who hold slide shows and talks in Distington during the winter months, as well as having a very active modelling group based in Cleator Moor, will have a photographic display showing images taken on local lines. Not to be forgotten is the Lal’Ratty, with details of what the have to offer.
There will be over a dozen layouts on display representing all the major scales and gauges coming from all parts of the county as well as further afield.
Workington Model Railway Exhibition, is to be held at the ‘high tech’ 21st century venue Energus building, Blackwood Road, Lillyhall,
Workington – Post Code CA14 4JW, where there will be free car parking and outstanding refreshments.
The venue is served by regular bus services from Workington and Whitehaven railway stations, using Service No:- 300 on Saturday via the
Energus building stops at Lillyhall. Sunday there is a 10 minute walk from Harrington Road.
To help individuals get the most from their models demonstrators ‘showing you how to’ will be on hand. If it is making finescale track, building authentic looking trees, weathering your models, building kits or models from scratch then somebody will be able to help.
The exhibition, the largest in Cumbria and borders area, brings together groups, organisations and individuals from all over Cumbria and Northern
England who share a passion and enthusiasm for all things model railway, so why not get along and enjoy what’s on offer. This will be the sixth
year that the exhibition will be presented by Solrail, a ‘not for profit’ team of enthusiasts and volunteers.
The exhibition will be open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 18th November and, from 10am until 4pm on Sunday 19th November.
Admission costs £5.00 with accompanied children free. Also included is a free programme listing everything on display.
Further details on the website: solrail.co.uk
