Basingstoke Model Rail 2024

Here we go again. Our annual visit to this show.

It is encouraging to see such fine layouts and bounteous, fully stocked trade stands. The hobby is not dying! Second hand rolling stock prices were mostly affordable for anyone entering the hobby or wishing to expand their rolling stock.

What was a surprise was the ease of parking on site and quick entry. We rolled up soon after opening on the first day. Usually, we don't attend at this time as invariably the car park is full with a long queue at the entrance to the exhibition itself . Not this time. The show was busy but, without uncomfortable over crowding.

Only one layout had been seen before. My top three favourites were:

ROPLEY. Faithfully modelled from the prototype of today. Liked this as it is a station we have visited several times. Always interesting to recognise the environs of a place well known to us.

BAMFYDEL. An authentic looking, uncluttered scene and yet it is an entirely fictitious location.

GRINDLEY BROOK. On entering the first hall we were confronted with this massive layout. Its size should not be surprising as it is a large station complex constructed in 7mm scale. In fact this layout occupied the entire centre space of the hall whereas in previous years you would expect four or five smaller exhibits. Traders stands were placed around the perimeter with (by contrast) a 009 layout stuffed into the corner of the room.

7mm scale done to this level of expanse and detail  can be easier on the eye than the smaller scales. Because of this it was my personal best in show.

Only a couple of 1mm drill bits were purchased from a trader. I could not find any in the local town shops, unless I bought them as part of a larger set that I don't need.