Weymouth's Annual Model Railway Exhibition 2007
Our retiring Exhibition Manager Dave Riches' final exhibition was one to be remembered! He organised an excellent show and pretty-well met his target of filling the larger space afforded by the Sports Hall at Wey Valley School - one layout couldn't make it so the plan was revised. Once again we'd like to thank all the exhibitors and traders that supported, so well, Weymouth's 19th Annual Model Railway Exhibition. Also, our special thanks to all those that visited the Exhibition - we trust you enjoyed the show. Pictures of our 2007 exhibition are now available, please see Site Contents > Exhibitions > 2007 - Latest (note that this link opens a new browser window - see Site Help).

Photo: Award presentation by the Executive Officers of the Weymouth Model Railway Association
The opportunity was taken at the exhibition to present Geoff Sawford, a long-time stalwart of the Association's O Gauge Group, with a certificate marking his award of Lifetime Associate Membership. From the left, in the above picture, is Nigel Godsell (Vice-chairman), Rob Atkins (Chairman ), Geoff Sawford, Roger Miller (Treasurer) and Dave Riches (Secretary and retiring Exhibition Manager). Picture kindly taken by John Wiltshire endeavouring to make the best of Nigel's camera!

Dave with Exhibition Manager's hat off (for five minutes) and modeller's hat on!
Dave Riches officially passed the baton to our new joint Exhibition Managers (John and Tim) as of this exhibition, and by way of thanks for all his hard work Chairman Rob presented Dave, at the following Monday meeting, with a model kit to make in his new found spare-time. Dave was pleased to receive a Laurie Griffin Miniatures kit of Southern Railway's (Queen Mary) 25 ton Bogie Brake Van. (At the time of ordering the kit the recent postal strike was in full force and Laurie kindly offered to drive down to Weymouth with the kit. However, a mutually very agreeable rendezvous was arranged at the Central Southern Gauge O Group's exhibition in Wimborne, the Sunday before our exhibition, for the handover.)

---

Change of Host
This work is now complete. Please note that from the 1st June 2007 our website is only accessible via our domain name www.WeymouthMRA.org.uk - note upper case used to ensure correct spelling only. If you have previously added our website to your 'Favorites' please ensure it points to the correct URL.

May Public Event
This year's new venture for the Association, a themed event running all weekend instead of our usual "May Open Day", was a success.

Some of the regulars of our Connaught Road layout - Photo: Rob A
Click here for further pictures of the event. 

2007 AGM

During discussion it was identified that a group of members were interested in building an OO gauge test track to universal track-work standards.  

The elected 2007/2008 committee is as follows:

• Chairman: Rob Atkins
• Vice-chairman: Nigel Godsell
• Secretary: Dave Riches
• Treasurer: Roger Miller
• Wessex Association rep: Harry Marshall
• Hall Committee rep: Keith Pratt
• Additional members: Tug Wilson, Dave Corps

This year's exhibition will be the last to be organised by Dave Riches as he did not stand for the post of Exhibition Manager. Consequently, the Committee will be co-opting someone to work alongside Dave and take on the role of Exhibition Manager for our 2008 exhibition.

---

Adding Realism Initiative

This recently introduced venture by the Weymouth MRA is to assist modellers in progressing their model railway from the train set (where we all start) towards a real railway in miniature. Our 'Adding Realism Initiative' is currently comprised of two components: articles and items of interest, information, etc accessible from this website and Monday evening sessions in learning and improving skills. See Site Contents > Modelling > Adding Realism for details.

The first serialised article on layout design is now available on this website. This article promotes the concept of realistic operation and takes the reader through the process of identifying the services that your proposed railway could provide and the resultant impact on station(s) layout and goods handling facilities. See Site Contents > Modelling > Adding Realism > Layout Design.

 

---

Xmas 2006 Open Day

A good day was enjoyed by everyone. This was the first Open Day since we've reluctantly reverted to charging (a token) admission to the event. To compensate we are now inviting traders to attend as well as having our layouts on display. The proceeds from the event resulted in a small surplus for the Association, thus ensuring the continuation of our 'Open Days'.

---

2006 Annual Exhibition

Took place over the weekend 28-29th October and was yet another success. The Association would like to thank all the exhibitors and traders who supported our show and all the members of the public that attended and freely praised  it. Please note that our 2007 exhibition is provisionally set for 27-28th October. This will be confirmed following investigation of alternative accommodation at the venue.

---

Aug 2006 Website News

Early History of the Association: This article is now available on the website and traces the origins of the Association to the Upwey & Broadwey Model Railway Club. The article also documents the construction of the Evercreech Junction layout exhibition layout that was built by members of the Upwey & Broadwey MRC.

Harry Marshall's series of articles on designing layouts for realistic operation is in preparation and will be available on this website shortly. This is a development of the article his father (Ivor C Marshall) had published in the May 1976 issue of the Model Railway Constructor.

---

May 2006 Open Day

This was held on the 6th May and was opened by the Major of Weymouth and Portland Councillor Les Ames. Once again the auction went well with many serious bargains. This will probably be our last auction for the moment as all the stock from the Trade Stand has been disposed of.

---

Dec 2005 Auction

This was held on the 17th December and was opened by the Major of Weymouth and Portland Councillor Les Ames who as a keen railway enthusiast has been a member of the Association for many years. A special feature of this Open Day was an auction of model railway rolling stock and scenic items. All lots were realistically priced and plenty of genuine bargains were snapped-up!

The auction of second-hand rolling stock and scenic items, held at the Xmas Open Day, was highly successful. It is hoped to hold another at our May 2006 Open Day. 

---

Sept 2005 GUILDEX

Once again Weymouth Model Railway Association provided the test track for the Gauge O Guild's GUILDEX 2005 at Telford. 

Members of the O Gauge Group of Weymouth Model Railway Association were again invited by the Gauge O Guild to provide the Test Track for their September exhibition held in Telford.

The Test Track allows members and visitors to run their stock, and for prospective purchasers to test run the stock. This year, we are fortunate to have a large number of photographs recording the event thanks to Dave Riches - Hon. secretary of Weymouth Model Railway Association.

Click on the thumbnails below for a larger image - use the browser "back" function to return to this page.

---

2005 Annual Exhibition

Due to fairly extensive modernisation of the Wey Valley school hall & stage, scheduled for this summer, the date of our exhibition has been moved to the 29/30th October. The committee took the decision to move the exhibition date (previously given as 17/18th September) on advice from the school.

The 2005 exhibition held on 29-30th October has been widely acclaimed as a resounding success with increased attendance on 2004. Some £500 surplus has been achieved with considerable hard work by the committee, members and members' wives. The committee would like to thank all those who freely praised the exhibition - especially those who took the time to write/email us. Photographs & layout descriptions now available - see site Contents page.

---

April 2005 Event - Dorset Railways Exhibition

The Dorset County Museum and the Association held a very successful 2 week long exhibition at the County Museum in Dorchester over Easter 2005. The Dorset Railways Exhibition  was comprised of a number of quality model railway layouts, preservation society stands, and static displays, together portraying the history of railways in the County.  Full details

---

2005 Annual General Meeting

The AGM of the Weymouth Model Railway Association took place Monday 21st March. 2005/2006 committee is as follows:

• Chairman: Rob Atkins
• Vice-chairman: Nigel Godsell
• Secretary: Dave Riches
• Treasurer: Roger Miller
• Exhibition Manager: Harry Marshall
• Additional members: Roy Hounsell, Dave Corps & Keith Pratt

---

2004 Annual Exhibition

This year's September exhibition organised by the Association was even larger as the Wey Valley School had additional space available to us. The show was highly successful and generated a substantial surplus (£540) from the increased budget needed to include the quality layouts on show.

---

Sept 2004 GUILDEX

The Association are proud to have provided the test track for this year's Gauge O Guild's GUILDEX 2004 at Telford 11/12th Sept - enjoyed by all. 

Members of the O Gauge Group of Weymouth Model Railway Association were invited by the Gauge O Guild to provide the Test Track for their September exhibition held in Telford. Principally this invitation arose as a result of Weymouth MRA providing their Test Track for the annual Trade Show organised by The Bristol Model Railway Club for the past 5 years.

The Test Track allows members and visitors to run their stock, and was allocated space next to the Gauge O Guild's secondhand stand so prospective buyers of stock could see it run before purchasing.

Test Track at GUILDEX 2004 Telford. Photo taken by Dave R during a quiet moment, not that there were many!

Test Track at GUILDEX 2004 Telford. Photo taken by Dave R. Operators (left to right) are Rob, Derek & Dave G.
Part of the Guild's secondhand stand is bottom left of picture.

Some impressive looking locos were test run including an Air Smoothed West Country Class and a re-built
Merchant Navy Class. Both locos have been weathered and look typical of their classes as running in the
late 50s to early 60s time period. (Photo Dave R)

And finally...

Possibly the strangest loco to run on our Test Track (ever!?!) is a
model of Emmet's cartoon locomotive. (Photo Dave R)

---

July 2004 Association's website

The web site has moved to a new server (Tiscali) as of July 2004, and the opportunity has been taken to revise the format for even quicker and easier access to its pages...

The website is proving very popular with a peak of 251 visitors on Monday 13th Sept 2004. Similar high numbers were recorded for the rest of the week before the exhibition.

Any comments to webGroup@WeymouthMRA.org.uk

---

Phil steps down: Sept 2003

The 15th Model Railway Exhibition was the last show to be organised by Phil Dawling. He now takes a well deserved rest after eight very successful years in the role of Exhibition Manager.

PHOTO: Chairman Pete Bruton presenting the Association's Best Layout Trophy to Kensal Green MPD - 80A.
 Almost just out of shot is Phil.

Phil take a rest, never! He's seen the light and taken-up modelling in O gauge, and by way of much thanks and appreciation for all his (and that of his late wife Rosemary's) hard work he was presented with an O gauge kit of a BR(WR) Auto-coach.

PHOTO: Unfortunately the 7mm Auto-coach kit didn't arrive in time, so here's Chairman Pete presenting Phil with a promissory note for the kit. Spookily, Pete is the latest victim of the "O gauge bug" going around, lately he's been muttering about building a GWR 54XX pannier tank in 7mm.

---

Public Notice: 18th Dec 2001

The Committee has regretfully withdrawn the membership of Mr R Forster and consequently he no longer acts in any capacity on behalf of the Weymouth Model Railway Association. 

The Committee also points out that "Model and Rail of Littlemoor Lane, Weymouth" (Mr R Forster's model railway stock, repair service) is, and has always been, totally independent of the Weymouth Model Railway Association. Mr R Forster never sought or was granted approval to use the Association's name in connection with his business.

---

O Gauge Group Website

The official website of the O Gauge Group of members of the Weymouth Model Railway Association has been set up. To browse the site see 'O Gauge Group' on the main menu.

---

Website Launch

The official website of the Weymouth Model Railway Association went live on the 1st August 2001.

Its aim is to provide the www users with up to date information and pictures on the Association's activities.

A special group of members including the Association's Chairman and Secretary has been set-up to maintain and co-ordinate the website. It is to this group that all communications with respect to the website should be addressed email: webGroup