Astolat MRC Exhibition 2015

I made time to pop into this exhibition in Guildford whilst on my way to somewhere else. Actually, three of us including wifey, who is not an enthusiast but enjoyed the exhibits none the less.

Astolat seems an odd name for a model railway club and I expected to see an explanation in the exhibition guide or on their website but, no! More digging around discovered the name to be that of a legendary city of Arthurian legends, which has been attributed to Guildford. So, for us foreigners we now know.

The venue was a school with exhibits spread over four small halls accessible from a rabbit warren of corridors, as is common in an old institution. No parking on site but luckily found space in free, 2 hour street parking nearby.

17 x layouts provided a good balance between 00 and N scales  together with 009, H0, EM and Sn2 representatives. A wide range of periods and territories with Australian and USA scenes alongside traditional UK locations.

The club's layout Priorsfield (00) has many staged cameo scenes that held interest for the visitor. Wipers Fish Hook and Menin Railway was most unusual, not only for its scale (Sn2: 1:64/9mm) but also for its depiction of a battlefield WW1 narrow gauge railway in a desolate frosted winter landscape with bombed out buildings and craters filled with iced over water.

My best in show goes to Dentdale (N), a very long double track line from the Settle & Carlisle railway set in the Yorkshire Dales. Realistically modelled with carefully constructed details, especially the buildings. During the show the period changes to show typical trains from the 1950s to the present day. The photos in this posting show present day trains.

Whilst the 17 traders included some variety there seemed to be an emphasis on second hand 00 items, fine for those wanting them but this time I needed new, 'N' scale accessories. My needs were not fulfilled except for some Xacto blades. I have sharpened my set so many times that they are getting worn out so, time for new ones.