38th Uckfield Model Railway Exhibition - 21st/22nd October 2023

[adrianmc]

38th UCKFIELD MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

 

 

Incorporating Scalefour Southeast and the Iain Rice Extravaganza

 

Organised by the Uckfield Model Railway Club.

UCKFIELD CIVIC CENTRE
Civic Approach
Uckfield
East Sussex
TN22 1AE

Saturday 21st October 2023
Sunday 22nd October 2023

Open 10am till 5pm both days.

 

The 2023 Uckfield Model Railway Exhibition will once again be featuring a selection of some of the best quality layouts around. There will be full trade support as well as Demonstration and Society stands. Licensed Restaurant within the Civic Centre will be open throughout the weekend. There will be bacon/sausage baps for early arrivals to purchase - from 9am.

 

This year sees the inclusion of Scalefour Southeast, a new Scalefour Society regional event. Featuring the Society's Publicity Stand and the Scalefour Stores, along with five P4 layouts and a full schedule of demonstrations that should appeal to railway modellers of all scales and skills.

 

As a tribute to the well known railway modeller and author who passed away last year, we will be holding the Iain Rice Extravaganza, featuring no less than five 4mm/ft finescale layouts which were constructed by him or in which he was a major contributor. Those confirmed as attending include Butley Mills, Debenham Cade's Green, Hepton Wharf, Trerice and Longwood Edge. We also expect to have on display a selection of Iain's North Cornwall stock, built for his layout Tregarrick. This will probably be the only time these layouts will appear together - an opportunity not to be missed.

 

The show has its usual eclectic mix of layouts, with of the 20 layouts scheduled to attend there will no less than 13 different scale/gauge combinations represented. Standard, broad and narrow gauge British. Irish, Continental and American prototypes.

 

List of layouts expected:

Northport Quay - 7mm/ft scale 36.75mm gauge (0-36.75)
Compact Irish broad gauge terminus by David Holman, Kent - second exhibition.
Wenford Dries - 7mm/ft scale 31.5mm gauge (finescale 0)
Minimum space Cornish industrial layout by Pete Matcham, London - exhibition debut.
Bedlam Brewery - 7mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (0-16.5)
Narrow gauge industrial brewery scene by Andrew Dancy, East Sussex.
Tony's Forest - 7mm/ft scale 14mm gauge (0-14)
Narrow gauge forestry layout by Robin Edwards, Gloucestershire.
Arcadia - 1:64 scale 0.884in gauge (S)
Light railway terminus inspired by the Rother Valley Railway, constructed by Richard Barton, Herefordshire - BRM Mar. 2023.
Debenham, Cade's Green - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4)
Iain Rice's home layout portraying a Great Eastern byway. presented by the North Norfolk Area Group of the Scalefour Society - MRJ 250.
Faringdon - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4)
Prototypical Oxfordshire GWR branch line terminus  by Rex Davidson, Shropshire - BRM Jun. 2018 and MRJs 77, 240, 270, 273, 275 & 280.

Hepton Wharf - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4)
L&Y branch line layout constructed as a 'build a layout in a weekend' challenge at the 1983 Scaleforum, presented by the South Hants MRC.

Longwood Edge - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4)
Joint LNWR and L&Y large cameo layout built by Iain Rice and Don Leeper, presented by the South Hants MRC - second exhibition.

Trerice - 4mm/ft scale 18.83mm gauge (P4)
Cornish industrial scene constructed by Iain Rice, presented by the East Somerset Modellers - MRJ 213.

Butley Mills - 4mm/ft scale 18.2mm gauge (EM)
Iain Rice's East Suffolk Light Railway layout, renovated, modified and regauged by Andy Vincent, Hampshire - MRJ 9.

Shwt - 4mm/ft scale 18.2mm gauge (EM)
BR late crest (1965) western region South Wales backwater by the TLF Group, South Glamorgan - BRM Jul. 2020 and Model Rail's GBMR No 8.

Ewe - 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)
Bucolic East Anglian minimum space layout by Rob Gunstone, Cardiff - BRM Oct. 2022.

College Halt - 4mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (00)
Light Railway through station by the Uckfield College Model Railway Club - BRM Nov. 2023.

Rodmell Green - 4mm/ft scale 9mm gauge (00-9)
Small narrow gauge cement works railway by Allen Etheridge, West Sussex - exhibition debut.
Kamiack Falls - 3.5mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (H0)
1970s Burlington Northern single track American scene by Antony Quinlan & Graeme Wheeler, Middlesex - CM Apr. & Jul. 2022.

Cessy-en-Bois - 3.5mm/ft scale 16.5mm gauge (H0)
French SNCF goods yard layout built by Chris Baker, displayed by Oly Turner & Chris Matthews, Kent - exhibition debut - CM Oct. 2023.

Foxbury - 3mm/ft scale 12mm gauge (TT)
Mid 1950s former GWR terminus layout set in the Cotswolds by Bob Brown, Gloucestershire - RM Apr. 2022.
Banbury - 1:148 scale 9mm gauge (British N)
Present day busy cross country through station by Ian Lampkin, Surrey - RM Railway of the Month Nov. 2014.

Moretonhampstead - 2mm/ft scale 9.42mm gauge (2mm finescale)

Prototypical Devon GWR branch line terminus  by Peter Warren, Suffolk - MRJ 285.

 

Trade expected at the present time:

C&L Finescale Track Building Systems - suppliers of finescale trackwork and components

Cambrian Model Rail - 4mm wagon kits and 16mmNG parts, stockists of straight wire from Eileen's Emporium

Compass Model Railways - local model shop with very extensive range of accessories and ready to run rolling stock

Dart Castings - miniature figures and model railway vehicle detailing parts

Dingo Servo Mounts - servo mounts and control boards
Golden Arrow Productions - resin kits for Southern prototypes and suppliers of bowpens for lining

Green Scene - all your scenic needs

Matthew Cousins GRA - railway artist, known for his views of the Bluebell Railway

Model Railway Developments - detailing components and accessories

Monk's Gate Models - detailed scenic accessories for 7mm scale

Plus Daughters - N gauge specialist stocking British, Continental and American ready to run
Rail-Books - all the latest books and publications
Roger Jones - second hand ready to run

Roxey Mouldings - etched kits in both 4mm and 7mm scales

Scalefour Stores - supplies for the discerning modeller including 4mm Dingham couplings

Severn Models - etched scenic buildings and accessories in 2mm, 4mm and 7mm scales
Squires Model & Craft Tools - wide range of tools, glues and raw materials for the modeller
South Eastern Finecast - 4mm scale locomotive kits and scenic builders sheets

The Wagon Yard - specialist in N and 00 rolling stock
W.M. Collectables - extensive range of second hand ready to run

 

Demonstrations:

 

Roger Sawyer - Soldering For Beginners (Sat & Sun).

Paul Harding-Maggs - 2mm & 4mm scale scenery, buildings and figures (Sat & Sun)
Mike Ainsworth - Converting RTR Locomotives to P4 (Sat am & Sun pm).
Bob Cummings - Building P4 Turnouts, Including Ply & Rivet (Sat am).
James Walters - Moving to P4, Starting in 4mm Finescale (Sat am & Sun pm).
Chris Ellis  - Alex Jackson Couplings (Sat pm).
Ben Mason - Locomotive & Wagon Suspension (Sat pm & Sun pm).
Jeremy Good - Converting RTR Wagons to P4 (Sat pm).
Jeremy Good - Introducing British Finescale P4 Turnout Kits (Sun am).
Roger Barron - Wagon Suspensions and Detailing (Sun am).
David Lowe - CAD and 3D Printing (Sun am).

 

Displays:

 

Iain Rice's North Cornwall Stock for Tregarrick - display stand

Uckfield Model Railway Club - membership and information stand

Bentley Miniature Railway - 7.25 inch gauge ground level line in the East Sussex countryside - publicity stand.

Scalefour Society - membership stand and Scalefour Jubilee Layout Challenge display

 

 

Public access to the Civic Centre is via either the free High Street car park (Civic Approach), or the Tesco Superstore. The venue is also only three minutes walk away from both the railway and bus stations.

Additional car parking at the station car park - with kind arrangement of Network Rail and APCOA this is also now free over the weekend.

More information and layout pictures at  http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhibition.html
 

Edited October 8, 2023 by adrianmc

[ColinW]

Another great selection of layouts by Adrian.  Will be making the usual journey to the show from Tonbridge.

 

Colin

[Mark Forrest]

I’m planning to travel down from Staffordshire for this and am very much looking forward to it.

[NHY 581]

10 hours ago, Mark Forrest said:

I’m planning to travel down from Staffordshire for this and am very much looking forward to it.

 

 

Are you bringing 2ManyLegobricks with you ? 

 

Rob

Edited September 25, 2023 by NHY 581

[Chatham.mrc]

Looking forward to it. Will be popping down and our club chairman's is exhibiting at the event 

[Mark Forrest]

On 25/09/2023 at 08:55, NHY 581 said:

 

 

Are you bringing 2ManyLegobricks with you ? 

 

Rob

Yes - sorry about that

[NHY 581]

13 hours ago, Mark Forrest said:

Yes - sorry about that

 

Well.......it's a dirty job but.........

[NHY 581]

Looking forward to bringing Ewe to Uckfield. Feeling very privileged to be part of what looks like a fantastic show. One or two minor tweaks planned but nothing earth shattering. 

 

This view won't be possible over the week end as the 'roof' will be on but I hope it hints at what Ewe brings to the show. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chatham.mrc]

10 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

Looking forward to bringing Ewe to Uckfield. Feeling very privileged to be part of what looks like a fantastic show. One or two minor tweaks planned but nothing earth shattering. 

 

This view won't be possible over the week end as the 'roof' will be on but I hope it hints at what Ewe brings to the show. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That looks absolutely lovely 

[Compound2632]

Very sorry to be missing this, this year.

[NHY 581]

4 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

Very sorry to be missing this, this year.

 

 

Pity. Would have been nice to meet and chat, Stephen. 

 

Rob

[adrianmc]

Unfortunately the Uckfield College MRC's layout Ettington Verso is not going to be ready for the show, so they are going to be bringing College Halt instead. Following a photoshoot by Phil Parker back in May, an eight page article on the layout features in the latest issue of BRM (November 2023).

 

 

 

OP updated.

[adrianmc]

Just been asked by bcnPete to update the Wenford Dries entry in the OP with its correct gauge. It is actually 31.5mm (finescale 0) so as to improve the appearance and running whilst still using ready-to-run stock.

 

Just checked the Exhibition Guide proof copy and it's correctly listed there - phew!

 

Talking of the Guide, it's grown to 40 pages this year and has a track-plan and photograph for every one of the twenty layouts - only a £1 on the door. 

 

 

 

[NHY 581]

Worth going just for the comic ! 

[bcnPete]

On 08/10/2023 at 18:08, adrianmc said:

Just been asked by bcnPete to update the Wenford Dries entry in the OP with its correct gauge. It is actually 31.5mm (finescale 0) so as to improve the appearance and running whilst still using ready-to-run stock.

 

Just checked the Exhibition Guide proof copy and it's correctly listed there - phew!

 

Talking of the Guide, it's grown to 40 pages this year and has a track-plan and photograph for every one of the twenty layouts - only a £1 on the door. 

 

 

 

Many thanks Adrian! 

[queensquare]

Trerice lives!
A few dry joints, a new section switch, new controller socket, plus, most importantly, new bog chain to support the fiddle yard (no you’ve not misread that!), and we’re in business.
Locos run over the entire layout, through the big dipper across the front and out onto the cassettes. Hoorah!!

 

As well as Trerice, we will also have a small display of some of the stock from Iain Rice’s seminal Tregarrick and the North Cornwall Minerals, the East Suffolk Light and other Rice ephemera.

 

Jerry

 

 

[NHY 581]

Not sure what I'm looking forward to more.....operating my own layout or seeing the Rice artifacts.....

Edited October 12, 2023 by NHY 581
Tea added

[MartinM]

Don't forget that this is on this weekend there is free parking in the main station car park on Saturday and Sunday, The cameras will be turned off. 

There is a stunning selection of layouts and I would suggest, if you can, to come on the Sunday as it is less busier? 

 

See you there 

 

Martin Marrison  UMRC 

[SR71]

4 minutes ago, MartinM said:

Don't forget that this is on this weekend there is free parking in the main station car park on Saturday and Sunday, The cameras will be turned off. 

There is a stunning selection of layouts and I would suggest, if you can, to come on the Sunday as it is less busier? 

 

See you there 

 

Martin Marrison  UMRC 

 

I will be coming Sunday as I'm exhibiting elsewhere on Saturday.

 

Re-car park. Is there anywhere in officialdom that this is recorded and confirmed?

 

No slight on you or the club but I've had bad experiences with money grabbing, bullying, station parking contractors previously and have no wish to repeat the experience!

[adrianmc]

13 hours ago, SR71 said:

 

Re-car park. Is there anywhere in officialdom that this is recorded and confirmed?

 

 

UMRC have email confirmation from APCOA Parking that all is arranged. Network Rail and APCOA have been very supportive of events in Uckfield where substantial numbers of visitors are expected. The relevant contacts were provided by Uckfield Town Council who are also very supportive of the exhibition, hosting the event in the Uckfield Civic Centre.

 

See below a map of the centre of Uckfield and the relative locations of the Railway Station car park - and of course the Station - and the Civic Centre.

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by adrianmc

[SR71]

Thanks @adrianmc. I appreciate you taking the time to provide reassurance. Also glad to hear you are getting local support like that for your show.

[adrianmc]

16 minutes ago, SR71 said:

Also glad to hear you are getting local support like that for your show.

 

In most cases, support is there if one asks for it, and in some instances it is even offered!

 

Edited October 19, 2023 by adrianmc

[adrianmc]

For those arriving early the Uckfield Civic Centre's restaurant 'Luxfords' will be opening at 9am each day serving bacon filled and sausage filled baps along with tea/coffee. 

 

Price £5.50

 

https://www.civiccentreuckfield.com/restaurant/

 

 

 

[westerner]

Hope to be there on Sunday.

[David Bigcheeseplant]

It will be my first visit to Uckfield show on the Saturday then doing the Bluebell Railway on the Sunday so staying in Uckfield on Saturday night are there any decent real ale pubs in town or curry houses?

 

David