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Exhibition Report

Border Rail 2004
This exhibition is managed by the Hawick and District Model Railway Club and held in the Town Hall, Hawick. As the Town Hall would not be open until 8.30am on the Saturday we decided to arrive and set up on the Friday evening. We duly arrived at around 7.30pm, rather later than expected, due to a problem on the M6, and having unloaded set up the stand. Plenty of room for us along one side of the Hall, including an additional table for Saddletank to run a fourth machine. Shortly after our arrival Lad491 arrived and just after 8pm, Saddletank arrived.

Side view of the stand, Leviathan1949, Neutronic, Lad491, Cab-It and Saddletank with Ian Macmillan at the far table.. Ian takes a drive along North West England while Laurie wanders around Cannock Chase. A new addition to the UKTS stand, a scrolling display. Says what we are and what we do. A group of enthralled visitors.

Despite the small size of the exhibition, just 2 halls, it was very well patronised by the public from near and far. Railways are at the very heart of the people in this area with a number of projects underway to get lines re-instated. The primary one at this time is the Edinburgh - Carlisle Route that ran through Hawick. For anybody considering building a route, then this particular line has some breathtaking scenery on it and at just over 80 miles could provide and excellent opportunity for activities.

Hawick & District MRS layout - Abbotsford Junction in 4mm. Hawick & District MRS layout - Abbotsford Junction in 4mm. Hawick & District MRS layout - Abbotsford Junction in 4mm. Hawick & District MRS layout - Abbotsford Junction in 4mm.

As with a number of our exhibitions we attracted a number of operators from other clubs exhibiting, with members from the host club, Hawick and District MRS, members from the Falkirk club (look for the Red jumpers in the photographs) and the Edinburgh club all sitting down and having a go on a number of occasions.

Falkirk MRG layout in 2mm. Falkirk MRG layout in 2mm. The childrens layout, Thomas the Tank in 2mm with a variety of childrens favourites. Parc a Truck, a hump shunting exercise.

Routes demonstrated included Scottish Central (Kerr McIntosh's new route) which was extremely well received with ooh's, ah's and "WOW that is stunning" type comments, MidEast, Skipton 1920, Cannock Chase, Highworth (which ran very well), Blackpool Tramway, Welshpool & Llanfair, North West England and for one very keen visitor Ffestiniog.
As with so many exhibitions there were a number of visitors who had bought MSTS, worn the track out, learned every inch of the Settle to Carlisle Route and then got bored with it. Seeing our stand breathes new life in to their appreciation of the product and out of the cupboard it comes and back on to the computer.

Nalaton Central in 4mm using DCC. Trumpeters Fen in O gauge. Mistleberg in G gauge. Mistleberg in G gauge, can you see the bubbles?.

Operators at this exhibition were plentiful and we are grateful to those that came along to join us, Laurie (Lad491), Martin (Saddletank), Ian Macmillan (whose PC unfortunately failed to start after he had set it up), Alan Howat and Andrew Irwin (amigaairwolf). Andrew spent Saturday with his own UKTrainSim stand at the Carlisle Cathedral Exhibition and then came to the Hawick Exhibition on Sunday.

Strath~Inch and the Dark Glen Forest in O gauge. Strath~Inch and the Dark Glen Forest in O gauge. Strath~Inch and the Dark Glen Forest in O gauge. Strath~Inch and the Dark Glen Forest in O gauge.

The variety of layouts was good, from 'N' gauge to 'G' gauge including an 'N' gauge Thomas layout that sported all sorts of childrens favourites including The Magic Roundabout (Dougal and Zebedee were there), Postman Pat etc.
On the Saturday evening we were invited to join the host club and other exhibitors for a meal at a local hotel that proved to be excellent. A good opportunity for chat on all railway subjects.

A visitor takes the opportunity to drive Canton on Saddletanks machine using the Raildriver. A Falkirk member tries his hand. Another Falkirk member tries his hand. Alan Howat and Saddletank.

All in all an excellent weekend. Our sincere thanks to all that showed up to help or chat and to the organisers of Border Rail for the invitation, hospitality and an excellent show.