Basingstoke MRS Expo 2026 Review

Our annual visit to this show. About 47 layouts and traders to peruse. Traders impressed having bountiful  stock of new and preloved items.  I came away with a brake van and brass tube!

Having been spoilt by the massive Southampton show recently, few layouts appealed at this one.

Here are my top three.

ESSEX BRICK (00)

I choose this crowded scene not so much for the subject or era but for the sheer complexity and heavy dependence on technology that was used to create it.

There is much animation of cranes, boats and trains controlled by computer and electronics. Nearly everything is made using 3D resin printing and it took 3 years to build.

This layout is one of at least four on show that featured a harbour or dock scene, each with as many boats as trains! 

This is a look behind the scenes at the electronics.

The builder has taken railway modelling to another level!

NEWTON HEATH WORKS (7mm scale)

Based on  the ball clay industry on The Isle of Purbeck in the county of Dorset. Fronting this cameo layout is standard gauge track and at the back on higher land is narrow gauge.

The layout is very small for 7mm scale and questions its operating potential. That is solved by the narrow gauge workings where loaded balls of clay are unloaded into standard gauge wagons at the flick of a switch.

I was also told that loaded narrow gauge wagons entering the warehouse come out unloaded!

A small layout such as this lends itself to detailed modelling. Looking closely at the engine shed at the rear and a clutter of internal artefacts are seen, though not visible in this photo.

FAIRWOOD JUNCTION Westbury (00) 15 feet long

Somewhat surprised I offer this as my 'Best in Show'. Surprised because there is no station, no goods yard, no town and its modern image! (my era of choice is 1960s steam)

It is just a four track railway in open countryside. It is closely modelled on a prototype, which is my preference. Even the backscenes are photographs of the real location. The landscaping is attractive and very well modelled.

This is one for the train spotters

Southampton Model Railway Exhibition 2026 Review

On recommendation I visited this show for the first time. 

Visiting on a Sunday to avoid the Saturday crowds and lack of car parking space I was somewhat taken aback by the size of the show and its popularity. Nearly 70 exhibits comprising layouts and traders spread over 9 rooms plus corridors of a sixth form college in Eastleigh. Much to my surprise the rooms were packed with visitors. I dread to think how busy it was on the Saturday. Catering facilities were beyond expectation being an onsite professional cafeteria.

The only downside of the venue is limited parking on site (but ample street parking nearby) and the rabbit warren of exhibition rooms typical of all school venues.

In these reviews I usually state my personal 'best layout in show'. Impossible to do this time as the standard of modelling across the board was the best I have ever witnessed making me question my own efforts.

Here are a few that struck a chord.

WANTAGE TRAMWAY (P4)

A model of the prototype set in the 1920s. I was drawn to this layout by the plethora of exquisitely modelled buildings at the town end of the scene.

THE PARLOUR RAILWAY (0)

Unlike anything I have seen before. An imposing scene that goes beyond the track. The rolling stock  is a mix of GWR broad and standard gauge and the track simply arranged end to end with automated train journeys. The layout baseboard, if you can call it that, is more a piece of Edwardian furniture, built from mahogany wood. Lighting and other furniture, furnishings and ornaments supporting the layout all reflect the Edwardian era of the early 20th century.

COLLEGE HALT (00)

This is one of several small layouts that appealed. It is always interesting and motivational to see what can be achieved in a small space. Based on a real place this layout was constructed by students of Uckfield college under guidance of Uckfield Model Railway Club members. Of particular note was the depth of field achieved and the exit points at each end hidden behind the facia and foreground scenery.

RATHMELTON (0n3)

Another small layout, this time based on Irish railway practice. It is 7mm scale with 3 foot gauge track, necessitating all to be hand built. The low relief buildings and integration with the backscene is very well done, having following Ian Rice practise.

Another notable small layout was EXPRESS DAIRY SIDINGS (EM). An inglenook 'game' nicely 'scenicified'. I failed to take a picture. Some here for you.

And the list could go on.

I was impressed with the trade stands. Seen for the first time was Langley Models who presented far more products than what I knew them for. Prices of second hand rolling stock and accessories were reasonable and inexpensive compared to new. No one need complain about the cost of the hobby if they choose to buy preloved items. The range available was vast and a credit to traders in this area. I was on the lookout for a Gaugemaster  Combi controller and bought a new one at a considerable discount on the RRP.

A Model Railway Revisited #17

Some say a model railway is never finished - there is always room for extra detail. In my case I have completed layouts to my satisfaction in the past but this one could be developed further. For now though I am satisfied with the level of detail added that brings the scene to life.

The three people, well four including tiny baby in arms, are left overs from an Airfix kit dating from the 1960s. These are the best from my stash where many others just fell apart due to aging plastic.

I am still amazed at their detailed features that stand up well against modern 3D printed types. How did the manufacturer achieve this so long ago before modern technology?

Telegraph pole is also Airfix now under the Dapol badge. Platform seats are ancient by Merit (I believe) that have also become fragile (now marketed by Peco).

Station sign is 3D printed by myself with printed paper overlay. The station name is taken from the signal box which carries the name Hewish Gates. This box recovered from a scrapped layout.

The typical L&SWR barley twist station lamp is a hotchpotch of parts that I am quite proud of putting together. The plinth is from an Airfix set. The lamp could have come from the same but I ran out, having built a batch of these lights some time ago. Instead I replicated the design and 3D printed it (in fact the whole thing could have been 3D printed but, I like a challenge). The barley twist pole is half millimetre garden galvanised wire with beaded ends to the ladder rest. The swan neck mount is fabricated from sprue and the swan neck solid electrical wire. Three of these lamps adorn the platform.

On the loading dock is a trolley with boxed load (Airfix) and two cable drums (Dapol).

Just a few vehicles in this quiet branch line station car park. Lambretta scooter (Airfix). Hillman Imp (Base Toys) and AEC Reliance bus with Burlingham bodywork, registration 200APB. This is a resin kit of a real Somerset bus from Tiny Bus and Coach Kits. (Bought in 2009. Don't know if it is still available).

This yard lamp is based on one that existed at Barnstaple. The model has a balsa wood post and soldered wire ladder. The lamp is from an Airfix station lamp.

All five turnouts have dummy ground signals installed, made from matchstick, plastic half disk and wire lever.

When I installed the dummy turnout rodding and signal pulleys it struck me how busy the scene can be alongside railway tracks.

Many layouts, especially non-finescale, do not go to this extent. Even though mine is not fine-scale I felt it would be a sin not to include such a significant piece of railway paraphernalia. 

It was extremely time consuming and fiddly to make and install. I know the rod connections to cranks is not prototypical and the parts need to be weathered. The latter will be done.

Cranks and stools are from brass fret kits (Colin Waite and Brass Masters. It is possible to buy ready made stools from others). Half millimetre garden galvanised wire used for rods.

The signal pulleys are 3D printed by myself and are possibly a bit oversize. I have never seen dummy signal control wires installed where the builder has gone to the trouble of including the pulleys but, here they are on my model. They are very fine copper wire strand taken from multi-strand wire. Delicate, difficult to tension and only visible with perfect eyesight. I can see why others leave them off.

Level crossing sign installed made from wire and printed paper (sign symbol and words somewhat out of focus in photo.)

One of the two fields is populated with horses. Model brand unknown but made in Hong Kong. These were all repainted. The Palomino in front is my favourite horse colouring.

THE END

To Part 1.