Report and Photos by Bob Leggett

The Sandy Exhibition is I believe the premier Toy Train and Model Railway event in the UK. No event can match the variety of Toy Train layouts/Display as well as a full complement of Model Railway layouts. This will be the last exhibition organised by Eric Large with help from David Ramsey. In my opinion this was probably the best yet however I will leave others to decide.

This was the first exhibition since the decision was made to be one day only and the TCS are very pleased that The Bachmann Collectors Club once again sponsored the event.

It is in the lobby where I start the report. The Bachmann information stand and layout provided by Milton Keynes Model Railway club are the first exhibits and I was pleased to see the Bachman SR Green EMU in full flow.

Also a G Scale set up had Thomas and Percy with appropriate stock.

Also in the lobby was the TCS stand was manned by Rod Hannah and Tony Stanford.

As we enter the dining hall we are greeted by David Embling from the HRCA, manning their information stand. Opposite is Paul Brookes with a lovely display of Ever Ready Underground trains and card built kits depicting an underground station and street level entrance.

These are new kits and will be available soon. I was very impressed with the Ever Ready sets which had been converted by using Triang EMU bogies and then converted again to 3 rail. There were two running at once on original track. Paul also had a display of Master Models.

Alongside was Paul Draycott with a mouth watering display of lesser known OO rolling stock and Buildings. I was very taken with a set of Master Models (Wardies) office blocks and the STC (Standard Telephone Cables) Station built by Hamblings and the three tin lorries that were built for it.

Paul also had on display, Kirdon Diesels. Scalemaster, Trackmaster and some lovely Exley coaches.

The first Model Railway we see is Deepcar, a truly spectacular layout with a superb twin cutting. It depicts the GCR Woodhead route and as I was passing a Trix DMU was running through the cutting. It is probably the best scenic layout I have seen.

Round the corner Andrew Jones had a compact 7mm Narrow Gauge layout based on German/Austrian railways and had a interesting bridge scene.

Next is Roger White’s Marklin 3 rail scenic stud layout. This has a well modelled ravine with climbers just about making it to the top. Excellent Marklin stock was running all day.

In the corner Nick Gillman and friends had set up an oo gauge clockwork layout with Tri-ang, Trackmaster, Hornby and Playcraft stock. This was a delightful layout and included many accessories from the 60’s.

Next was Chris Smith, one of the TCS modellers who specialises in vintage outside 3^rd rail model railways which evolved in the 20’s and 30s. Chris had a nice stud of locos on display and wanted to make sure a photo of his warehouse was also included in the report!

In Hall 2 we have the merry band of men from the Chiltern Vintage Group with their excellent Dublo 2 rail scenic layout. This is always a treat and has plenty of neverwazzas. I was particularly taken with a double track level crossing which is made from four single ones.

As I passed a Dorchester was smoothly hauling ten Southern coaches.

In the corner Ivor Walton had a display of Meccano including several cars and a well made towing truck and log carrier.

Also on display was part of the KNEX model used to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the highest model built from construction parts (and I thought he Bayko boys would have had that record!)

Sandy Transport Society had a small display of trains and buses and were promoting their society which has monthly meetings on transport related topics.

In this hall we also have two 3mmm gauge layouts. Cadeverton by John Williams is a layout depicting the Exe Valley line in the late 50’s and had a DMU in the Station as I passed. I particularly liked the busy cattle dock scene.

Alongside is Bulverhythe made by Peter Bossom and set in war time Britain c1941. This had an EMU running as I passed and the lovely harbour had a superb model boat.

In Hall 3 we had three more layouts. Bertie Goater with minimal help from his Dad Phil set up a really entertaining Tomy layout. I loved the little plane taking off from the airport and also the spiral which was very popular. There was also a rare Engine shed made for the Thomas series.

Another colourful layout was James Day’s Playmobile layout. With help from Malcolm Pugh they set up a superb layout in minimal operating space. With plenty of switches for visitors to press and excellent automation this was another well received layout.

Opposite Dave White and Steve Smith had set up a 1960s Tri-ang Layout using Super 4 and Series 3 track although as the day progressed I’m sure some of the series 3 track was replaced!. This was another excellent layout with examples of both early and late Tri-ang Stations and a complete range of rubber countryside buildings.

Malcolm Pugh was also operating the TCS Shuttle test track for those who purchased stock and wanted to test it.

Hall 4 is the largest display area and has layouts around the outside with the majority of traders on the inside.

As we turn to the right Reg Harman and friends have an excellent display of Rovex and early Tri-ang stock. On one part was standard track with stock from 1952-54. A nice green Princess was running well with a couple of early coaches.

On the other section was a rarely seen running, Tri-ang Plunger Princess. With lots of early items on display this gives an insight into the early development of Tri-ang.

 Across the entrance is David Lyon with his well known Minic Motorway layout incorporating Tri-ang Railways. David is always trying to improve the layout and I was very impressed with his automatic two car loading of the road-rail car and automatic loading of a Jag onto the car transporter.

With cars and lorries stopping for trains this was another excellent display.

Brian Arnold and other members from the Trix Association had set up a very impressive Trix layout. As I passed two Southern pre-war engines were doing their bit so I was pleased. This also has a working conveyor belt and had both AC and DC operation. Members were also promoting the Trix association.

Next door Marcus Archer and friends from the Kitmaster Club had a neat display of all the Kitmaster Models produced and were also selling kits and other accessories.

Mick Flye was running American Flyer which is now made again by Lionel This is S gauge and has a good following in the US. As I passed a superb Big Boy with smoke and sound was running by. An amazing model which was much admired.

Tri-ang TT was shown by Dave Coddington . Dave had set up his display into three sections with early A track, a rare  figure of eight and later B track with stock running on all three. I was very impressed with the overall display and also the Continental Pacific on the turntable.

Ashley Barton  had set up a scenic Lima O gauge layout. . This was a fantastic example of ingenuity.. Stock include 3F’s and Class33 plus a Network Southeast Emu (Converted by Ashley) The buildings are the star of the layout as Ashley has made  them from OO and N gauge kits having them blown up to O gauge scale. I like the town scene when over looking the level crossing.

On the next wall John and Pauline Foreman had a lovely LMS themed Hornby O gauge layout. John  remember seeing, during the war, goods trains loaded up with unusual items and made sure his stock was suitably loaded. As I passed an 0-4-0 double headed was pulling a large goods train and a Compound was pulling a passenger train with milk tankers-exactly what John remembers seeing as a boy.

One of the most unusual layouts was Peter Dunk's Japanese Railway. With stock mainly by Stronlite this was a really delightful display. I was very impressed wit the Japanese Station and procession with a sedan chair.

I loved the Southern tank by Stronlite and also their rare Sir Gilbert Claughton  which is a copy of Leeds MC Sir Sam Faye ‘.. There was also an interesting Gun train by an unknown maker.

Richard Bingham (who must think I am mad asking simple questions) was running Lionel Standard Gauge. I was taken by the pair of working oil derricks with flame effect  plus nodding donkeys. A  2-4-2 Loco 1835 with four cattle trucks and a caboose was running as I passed by. The layout is fully automatic and the loco was  switching the points to allow the train to move from one circuit to another .

The last loose lay layout is by Mike Green and fellow members of the Bassett Lowke Society. Again an excellent layout was set up and trains ran well all day long. I was impressed with a rare Arsenal engine. They had themed the day with LNER stock which I understand used to run past Sandy many years ago.

Simon Goodyear had a display of Tri-ang Minic Railways and also his 1950s’s vacuum formed layout made for Tri-ang.

The centre of the hall and in a couple of other areas was several traders.. Most seemed to do quite well despite the current economic climate. I understand from Elaine Hyelman that Playcraft /Jouef sold well  and I believe prices are coming down to encourage a sale. I also had a chat with Michael Foster who was promoting ETS motor units and very neat they look.

Food was supplied by the School caterers in the new dining area.

Well done to Eric Large and David Ramsey for putting on such a superb show. Thanks to those who came. Thanks also to all the members who help set up and clear up and finally a big well done to all exhibitors for such wonderful display

Bob Leggett