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Exhibition Report

Doncaster 12th/13th February 2005
Our third visit to the Northern Festival of British Railway Modelling and we were located in the Lonsdale bar again. Positioned at the far corner of the room backed on to the bar proved to be our best location yet. Plenty of room for visitors without casuing obstruction to adjacent layouts and the entrance way. Although at times on Saturday the room did get rather crowded out.

Sunday morning 9am and a general view of our stand. Terry Cunliffe and Doug Kightley talk trams. Some of the gathering crowds on Saturday. Tomnick deep in thought driving a 37 along North West England.

We were joined by Tomnick on Saturday and Sunday demonstrating and packing up on the Sunday (Thanks for your help Tom). We were also joined over the weekend by numerous UKTS Members: Doug Kightley, Terry Cunliffe, Alan2, Edmund Kinder and numerous others whose names I didn't write down, who happily chatted with us and many of the visitors (Thanks for the help front of house.)

Church Fenton in 4mm set in the 1930s. Shaweport in 2mm set in the 1990s. Cromford Wharf in 7mm . Cromford Wharf in 7mm.

One screen was given over to the Train Artisan (TA Railways) demonstration video of their new Train Simulator which is progressing extremely well. Multiplayer capability being introduced from the beginning but with single player capability included.
Routes demonstrated included John Kendricks (almost finalised) Yorkshire Coast Railways which was received with great acclaim especially by those who know the area; MidEast; Skipton 1920; Severn Valley Railway; SMJ, Blackpool Tramway; Cannock Chase; North West England; Bridge Line. Several visitors were heard to comment that we must be running TrainSim 2 because their version looked nothing like what they were seeing. Once enlightened, they went away (usually with a free CD) to look again at their TrainSim.

Loughley Tram layout in 4mm. Loughley Tram layout in 4mm. Newcastle Haymarket in P4 modern image. Vintage Hornby O gauge.

Overall an excellent exhibition with a good variety of layouts in the popular gauges and excellent trade stand support. A number of traders were obviously overwhelmed by the numbers attending on the Saturday that by 2pm they were having to restock their stands with stock they had brought for Sunday. The exhibition certainly appeared to be well attended on both days, looking over the balcony mid afternoon on both days and the main hall was packed.

Tinsley South in 4mm (Spot the UKTS Salt Wagon). Tinsley South in 4mm. Main Hall from the Cafeteria End 10am Sunday. Main Hall from the Lonsdale balcony 10am Sunday.

Our thanks to the UKTS Members who came and joined us to help and to chat, nice to see you again.
Our thanks to BRM for the invitation and refreshments and an excellent location. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. Who knows we may have a new simulator to demonstrate in full by then.