Today was the Cambridge 31A Model Railway Club exhibition. They always put on a good show and this years show was larger than normal. I felt it was bigger and better: more layouts, more diversity and more space. Lots of good trade too. I was struck by the number of quality second hand OO scale buildings on sale – just when I’ve switched back to modelling in 7mm scale !

Here are a few of my personal highlights… Click on a photo for a bigger image

Caroline Concrete in O-16.5 by Graham Morfoot is loosely based on a real concrete factory that made sleepers, tunnel sections and other concrete structures. It is a nicely detailed layout, with plenty of interesting scenes. Operation is very smooth and the Kadee couplings gave perfect, hands-free operation.

Staying with O scale but moving to standard gauge I liked French’s Mill, a minimum space shunting layout by Paul Davey. An agricultural theme with small industrial locos, nicely weathered stock and some very nice cameo scenes.

Kyle of Lochalsh by Pete Matcham is an atmospheric micro layout modelled in 2mm finescale. I must admit I am sometimes skeptical about ‘finescale’ layouts because, on many of them, I’m not convinced the extra effort has really made a difference. However, Pete has used 2mm finescale to great effect on Kyle of Lochalsh, the additional work really makes the layout look convincing. The effective finescale and DCC sound really draw you in and you forget that you are looking at a micro!

Brenlyn is a small Welsh village modelled in 009 narrow gauge with a mix of RTR and kit-built stock by Glyn Bennet. I know Glyn from his G scale narrow gauge layout and I was surprised to see that he modelled in OO9 too. The scenery on Brenlyn really appealed to me: the view up the lane and the superbly modelled cottages.

Another highlight was my lunch provided by ‘Pimp my Fish’, a mobile chippie parked outside the exhibition. Nice idea and very tasty!

I went to the exhibition with my friend Graham and he gave me some O9 wagons he’d made. These are the first O9 models Graham has made and he’s done a great job. I will not be able to run them next to my own models, they will put my efforts in the shade! Thank you Graham.

Many thanks to the 31A team, their friends and families for putting on such an enjoyable event.