Full steam ahead (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Full steam ahead

12:00pm Friday 20th March 2009

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Hundreds of people enjoyed the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Model Railway Society (BNHMRS) show at the weekend.

The fast-track excitement of modelling was witnessed by more than 2,000 people who made their way to Aldworth Science College for the 26th annual event.

Miles of track were laid at the school, in Western Way, Basingstoke, for a wide array of unique model layouts on display – ranging from one large enough to fill a church hall to one that could fit on an ironing board.

BNHMRS club secretary Dave Richards said: “We’re very pleased with how the weekend went. We slightly reduced the size from last year, because some stalls pulled out, but that had the benefit of giving the exhibits more space.

“It’s one of the biggest exhibitions in Hampshire and takes more than a year to prepare – I’m already planning for next year!”

He added: “I think we’ve seen that modelling is still very popular, and although kids have computer games now, a lot of the new sets are digital, with smoke and sound operating through computers, which really grabs their attention.”

Teenager Emma Cooper, from South Ham, Basingstoke, was displaying her model which took about six months to build and features a mermaid and a Tardis.

Emma, 13, said: “I’ve been enjoying modelling for about two years – it was my mum and grandad who got me interested. I think it’s a great activity and it would be nice to see more girls taking part.”

On show were sets depicting scenes from the First World War, a mid-west American ferryboat, a Welsh tramway and a German post-unification scene.

BNHMRS exhibition manager Jeremy Bagshaw displayed a club member’s model layout on an ironing board.

He said: “With people’s living space getting smaller, a set which can fit on an ironing board shows you don’t need a huge area for models.”

Children were also well catered for with Thomas’ Junction and Underground Ernie models.

Louise Ongley and her three-year-old son Lucas, of Bernstein Road, Brighton Hill, enjoyed the activities at the show which spanned Saturday and Sunday. Miss Ongley said: “We’ve never been before but we’ve had a really lovely day out.”

The BNHMRS will be holding a special open day in September.

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