Events and Reviews

Running Day Exhibition 2025

We held our Annual Running Day exhibition on September 6th at our base, Barsham Village Hall. Thank you to all the visitors who came along on the day, and to the exhibitors and helpers who made it another relaxed and enjoyable day.

OUR NEXT EVENT: Annual Narrow Gauge Exhibition 2nd May 2026

Our display stand as it appeared in the morning with several members models in 009, O9, O16.5 and 16mm scales.

A typically busy day in the sidings on “Little Ease” by Bill Knight in 1:16 scale. Actually a shunting puzzle, and the sidings are accessed by the use of a sector plate.

All models by Bill are totally scratchbuilt using card, stripwood and whatever comes to hand as displayed by Bill.

Rio Grande & Southern 455 2-8-2 leaves “Chipeta” with a passenger train on Neville Doe’s HOn3 layout.

2-8-0 loco 345 shunts freight cars at the old mine sidings on “Chipeta”.

“Reeds Beck Waterworks” (009) by Chris Seago. “Lark” is shunting sand for the filter beds, while “Alde” prepares a new train on the main works sidings.

The right-hand end of “Reeds Beck Waterworks”, with “Alde” and the shunting wagon, and “Glem” waiting near the equipment stores.

A 4-wheeled diesel shunts on the “North Level Railway” (O-16.5) owned by Alan Church. He has made several improvements to buildings and scenery on the layout recently including interior detail. The Ford Anglia in the tree is a nod to Harry Potter… madness!

Fleischmann 0-4-0 loco “Amazon” near the shed on the “North Level Railway”.

David Churchyards small 009 layout “Ironbridge”. It is an experiment for 3-train automatic DCC operation and sound using N gauge Graham Farish Class 08 diesel chassis, and generally works quite well, though some modifications have to be made as yet.

All the trains and scenery on “Ironbridge”, which is under construction, are 3D printed sections, the track is Kato Unitrack.

“Raven Hill” (O9) by Graham & Caroline Watling. Here, steam side tank “Hydra” leaves the village staion with a train of 4-wheeled coaches.

Victorian steam tram “Pyralis” emerges from the rocky terrain with another passenger train on “Raven Hill”.

Southend car No.9 runs down New Walmington Pier (009) on Dave Carsons layout.

Malcolm Cudmore was demonstrating painting of 16mm scale figures, these are also 3D printed by him.

Nigel Brooks brought his Brooks 3D Models stand, which now has a large range of 009 (and other scales) narrow gauge models. Nigel is always helpful, and willing to adapt his prints to specific requirements.

Many thanks to our refreshments team Carol, Sarah (modelling the bread rolls), Zane and Noreen.

Annual Exhibition 2025

Our 9th Open Day and Model Railway Exhibition was held on Saturday 3rd May, again at Blyburgate Hall in Beccles. Not quite so many visitors this year at 184, but some came from Cheshire, Yorkshire and Kent which I think goes to show our exhibition must be worth the trip. Richard, our Group organiser, put together a varied range of interesting layouts well-supported by a few good friends who we must thank. And of course we must also thank all the helpers within and outside of our Group who helped setting up and breaking down the show, along with Sarah, Aleesha and Steve assisting with refreshments and cakes, THANK YOU. With a Special Mention to Lee Bryant from the 009 Society Sales who went above and beyond to get to our show this year after a car breakdown.

Here is a photo report of the day:-

All photos by G. Watling and R. Doe

(Click on image to enlarge)

Layouts

Above: The wonderful Nonsuch Tudor Railway (O-16.5). Over 50 scratch built mice and various animations makes a wonderful novel scene. Built by the late Derek Reeve and now owned and exhibited by the Sudbury Model Railway Club.

Gill Sands (O9), created from some 009 track lying around plus a hoped-for shift to O gauge. A super lightweight, cheap project.

Gare de Brindille (SM32, 16mm) features the war department light railway during World War 1, stock uses kits, 3D prints and has DCC sound.

Long Whaite (009) a detailed layout running to a local quarry called “Rock Bottom”.

In an unusual scale (1:32) Two Sisters Farm serves a large agricultural area in the Lincolnshire Fens. A very detailed layout with unusual petrol and diesel locomotives.

Llangrymstyn (009) depicts a typical granite quarry railway in North Wales expanding it’s operations to carry the travelling public.

Sylvasprings (009), based on a watercress farm and nursery, the produce being sold by Bedford & Jesty near Bere Regis. Set in the 1950’s, the narrow gauge line runs from the nursery to the glasshouse and sheds.

A 009 layout with standard gauge feeder under construction: Harrington Road.

Portraying the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (Ouray Branch), Chipeta is an HOn3 layout using powerful USA locomotives to haul lead and silver ores, lumber and livestock.

Cilfford Corris (009) is an imaginary halt set around Aberllefenni and the Afon Dyfi, and has a real Corris Railway flavour.

An 2ft gauge Egyptian sugar cane railway, Three Pines (009) depicts sidings at a storage area for onward shipment by road.

A 15″ gauge “minimum gauge” in O9 scale, Ingoldsby Yard depicts a line serving the goods yard of the Ingoldsby Estate using the “Inglenook Sidings” shunting puzzle. Virtually all the stock is scratch built.

Sampson Vale (HOe) is a completely rebuilt version of a competition entry built in 2002 depicting a fictitious part of a Channel Island, and uses mostly vintage locos and stock.

Ironbridge (009) is a small layout under construction, the scene featuring a restored working mill powered by electric turbines. Locomotives are 3D printed hybrids. It is experiment using IBM in DCC control and sound.

Tea & Cakes

The all-important catering team Aleesha, Sarah, Steve and Alan.

N&SNGM 2025 Challenge

The brief for the “Challenge” this year was to scratch-build a Vertical Boiler Locomotive.

Only four models were entered for the Challenge this year.

HOn30 30″ gauge A Class inspired vertical boiler, 3 cylinder Shay, fitted to an N scale Atlas two-truck shay chassis.

A freelance vertical boilered tram loco inspired by a combination of Continental trams. Runs on a Kato 11-109 chassis.

An O9 scale 15″ gauge model of a typical open cab De Winton loco. Runs on a Kato 11-103 chassis.

A 16mm, SM32 scale freelance coffee pot loco with saddle tanks, it is entirely scratch built.

Graham Watling receiving the N&SNGM Trophy from David Lowe for the O9 De Winton type loco as voted for by the public.

Trade

We were grateful to host the 009 Society Sales Stand manned by Lee Bryant after a car breakdown on Friday. Many thanks to him for his great effort and support.

Neville Kent and his N-Drive Productions stand with many kits and ready-to-run items for narrow gauge. https://www.ndriveproductions.com

Alan Butcher and David Lowe with the Bure Valley Railway model sales stand. The BVR marks 35 years this year with a gala weekend over 7/8th June. More info: http://www.bvrw.co.uk

Charlie Stephen and Paul Taylor manning the Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway CIO publicity stand. http://www.halesworthtosouthwoldrailway.co.uk

Open House Exhibition & Running Day 2024

We ran some of our layouts once again at Barsham & Shipmeadow Village hall for a Group open day. Not so many visitors came this year, probably due to the glorious weather outside, but these running days are always a good chance to have a relaxed day running layouts and talking to interested people. Here are some photos:-

Chris was displaying three layouts, this one is his 600mm x 600mm 009 pizza layout “Chapel Mills”.

A new addition to Alan’s “North Level Railway” (O-16.5) is this Ixion Coffee Pot Steam Rail Motor (paintwork still to be finished).

This is Stuart’s O9 scale “Norfolk & Suffolk Estates” layout (under construction), but it seems having a “Gala Day” with visiting locomotives from “Raven Hill”.

Stuart has created a complete ambience surround for the railway showing that it actually existed (?)

The tiny, super-detailed, O-16.5 layout “St Ten” by Ray, winner of our 10th Anniversary Group Challenge competition.

A quite corner of Chris’s automated “Ashfield Road” (009).

“Beckland End”, a cleverly arranged and detailed 009 layout built in an aluminium transit case, displayed and run by Barry.

John was displaying his 16mm scale demonstration set complete with many of his 3D printed and laser cut scratch built and remotely controlled models.

Bill was displaying many of his signature1:16 scale scratch built parts and locomotives.

Many items and structures are being added to David’s 009 layout “Davedale”, mostly built with home-made 3D prints.

Jim’s 009 layout “Loose End” was built for our 2023 Group Challenge.

Graham & Caroline brought along their O9 layout “Raven Hill”, this is the scenic hillside portion.

The halt at Tenstead Hall on Chris’s 009 scale fully-automated 2024 Group Challenge layout.

Exhibition at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway 28th July 2024

We displayed our layouts for the fourth time at the “Middy”, Brockford Station in July. It was a hot day but the steam trains pulled-in a fair crowd to visit our stands and luckily there was a cabinet full of lollies to raid.

The re-built Model T loco proceeds to unload beet to the “main line” wagons on Richard Doe’s “Staines Barn” (009).

John Tritton’s display stand for his 16mm “Allington Light Railway”.

A 009 layout in a transport case: “Beckland End” exhibited by Barry Weston.

Shunting at “Ingoldsby Yard” on Chris Seago’s O9 layout. Most of what you see is scratch built, the tractor loco started life as a Lanz Bulldog farm tractor.

Also O9 scale this view of Stuart Hughes “Norfolk & Suffolk Estates Railway” under construction using many techniques including laser cut wood. The “Katie-esque” loco started life as an OO scale Brighton Terrier.

One of our senior member Jim Bamber’s 2023 009 Group Challenge entry “Loose End”.

David Churchyard’s 009 2024 Group Challenge entry “Davedale” engine shed, using Kato Unitrack, and 3D printed parts for the loco bodies and buildings, in this case a 10 shed roundhouse!

Completely re-built from 2002, Graham & Caroline Watling’s HOe layout “Sampson Vale”, – a fictional piece of Guernsey. This railcar replicates the first one built in 2002 and passes the loophole defence tower.

One of Bill Knight’s 1:16 creations “Noels Walk”. He nails the art of basic construction with card and strip wood (amongst many other things) getting the worn-out and weathered look too on this garden supplies line, shunting puzzle.

Alan Church’s lovely O-16.5 “North Level Railway” with a train of four-wheelers at the passenger platform.

Trains meet at the curious village of “Tenstead”. For our 10th Anniversary Group Challenge this year Chris Seago built a 009 layout in the shape of “10”. This is in the grounds “Tenstead Hall” and commissioned by the Squire, plus he built a large anniversary sculpture – an illuminated cake with candles.

The shore end of “New Walmington Pier” (009) by Dave Carson.

Outside in the yard The Halesworth to Southwold NGRS had their live steam display.

Nigel Brooks brought his comprehensive 3D Models stand. Many thanks to him.

Helen and Anne from Great Eastern Models, Norwich, brightened up the (already bright….and hot) marquee even more with their stand.

Not narrow gauge, but here is the visiting Andrew Barclay (1219) 0-4-0ST of 1910 which ran steam services on the day.

8th Open Day Exhibition (10th Anniversary) 1st June 2024

Our 8th Open Day & Exhibition took pace at Blyburgate Hall, Beccles, and we were quite relieved that it was another success after all the planning. Nearly all our regular members Group helped in some way on the day so, a big thank you. The 216 visitors through the door saw eight layouts, plus seven entries from the Group Challenge, the 009 Society sales stand, two local society stands and two specialist trade stands – all washed down with a cup of tea (and a bit of cake) served by Sarah, Karen and Bill.

Here are photos and some details of the Exhibits:-

(Click on smaller images to enlarge)

**“Mosquito Falls”** On30 – De Havilland Model railway Society. Features the operations of a fictional logging company to supply high quality timber for aircraft construction in Canada. The layout is DCC and the boards are built in modular sections.

**“Stoney End”** O-16.5 – Peter Rye. Depicts the passenger terminus of an English narrow gauge railway. Stone trains also arrive at Stoney End to run round before continuing their journey to the processing plant.

**“The Brickworks”** O.14 – Barry Weston. A model typical of a rural small brickworks providing building materials for small towns and country estates.

**“Pye Rigg Works”** O9 – Graham & Caroline Watling. Features a small 15″ gauge railway works on the edge of the North York Moors. The layout demonstrates how a 7mm scale model can be built onto a baseboard only 43″ long.

**“Redwell”** 009 – Stephen Clulow. A small terminus on a narrow gauge common carrier in the Cambridgeshire countryside.

**“Pilton”** 009 – Lawrence Hendry. The layout features a gas works inspired from his younger days in Edinburgh.

**“Seething”** 009 – Chris Ford. The layout was largely built from left over parts and to fulfil a request for our show! The village name known to most locals too. Thank you Chris (and Karen).

**“The Cement Works”** 009 – Chris O’Donoghue. A small shunting layout inspired by the paintings of Eric Ravilious who created a number of paintings of Asham Cement Works near Lewes.

The NSNGM Group Challenge 2024.

As our Group celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary this year, the theme of the challenge was the number 10. Entrants could apply the number however they wished.

**“St Ten (Cornwall)”** O-16.5 – Ray Trudgett. First I would like to celebrate the winner of this years Challenge. There were several details on the layout numbering 10.

Ray received the Challenge Trophy from Andrew Barnes, Managing Director of the Bure Valley railway.

**“Kingswood & Eaton Light Railway PW Maintenance Train”** O-16.5 – Geoff Brace. A photographic diorama of a PW gang and train who have taken possession of the single track line. Clever use of the number of details fulfilled the ’10’ theme.

**“Tenstead”** 009 – Chris Seago. The squire of Tenstead Hall in the curious village of Tenstead has built his own railway in the grounds in the shape of a ’10’ to celebrate the NSNGM’s 10th anniversary, and also a large anniversary sculpture has been commissioned to remember this important event.

**“Davedale** **Engine Shed”** 009 – David Churchyard. At Davedale is this 10 shed roundhouse inspired by photos of the roundhouse in Par, Cornwall. The turntable uses a direct driven stepper motor. Behind the sheds is a scrapyard containing locos that need overhauling or are being used for spare parts.

**“The Jurassic Coast Miniature Railway”** 16mm – Nigel Lacey. Somewhere on the Dorset Jurassic coast is this small 10.25″ gauge miniature railway that gives rides amongst replica dinosaurs.

Left: **“Tenbourne Promenade Train”** by Graham & Caroline Watling, a 10″x10″x10″ cube diorama of a typical pleasure steam train which used to run along seaside promenades. The amusement arcade uses a Train-Tech RGB/Strobe LED lighting effect. And right: **“Tensville”** 1:48 (US O scale) – Stuart Hughes. Features both 30 inch and 18 inch tracks on five levels, therefore 10 rails. It was incomplete, but Stuart was still able to talk to visitors about its construction.

Specialist trade:-

Brooks 3D Models – Nigel Brooks presented his 3D printed narrow gauge kits. Website: https://brooks3dmodels.com .

N-Drive Productions Neville Kent displayed his extensive range of RTR chassis, Nine Lines kits, Backwoods Miniatures and also 55th Studio 5.5mm locos and stock. Website: https://www.ndriveproductions.com . (Photo: R. Doe)

Societies/sales:-

Thanks to 009 Society Sales for bringing their stand. Here are Mick Thornton, Julian Evison and Lee Bryant manning the sales tables.

James Hewett of the Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway CIO is seen talking to a customer. Website: http://www.halesworthtosouthwoldrailway.co.uk .

Thanks also to the Alan Butcher and Managing Director Andrew Barnes of the Bure Valley Railway for bringing their sales stand. A fabulous 15″ gauge line running between Aylsham and Wroxham complete with model shop at Aylsham. Website: http://www.bvrw.co.uk

…and of course tea and cakes:-

Bill looks very contented here with Sarah Doe and Karen Ford behind the refreshments counter. Many thanks to them for their hard work. (Photo: R. Doe)

Open House/Running Day, Barsham Village Hall, 21st October 2023.

We held another of our Open Days on 21st October and were surprised to have quite a few visitors despite the heavy rain and floods. We know that two visitors lived in Brighton, and Perth, Australia, thank you to them for coming along. 9 layouts were shown plus 3 displays/demonstrations arranged for our enjoyment and to help the Barsham & Shipmeadow Village Hall fund. We were ably refreshed all day by Sarah and Pauline who also served great cakes. To them – thank you!

Click on images to enlarge

Day at Great Eastern Models, Norwich. 12th August 2023

Our Group displayed narrow gauge layouts and projects at Great Eastern Models shop in Plumstead Road, Norwich. Many thanks to Anne and her team who kindly supported us all day with refreshments. Here are a few photos from the day….

Some of Richards 009 collection. He was building kits and running a mini test track.

Up a few scales to SM32 where John was displaying some 16mm models.

Two images above of Chris’s pizza layout “Chapel Mills” (009).

Displaying the difference in size, between English and American 3ft gauge, although the larger Rio Grande loco is HO scale HOn3. Displayed by Neville on the first board of a new project.

David was displaying his Challenge layout “Pointless Shunting” (009). Most items are 3D printed at home, locos, stock and even the buildings.

Alan, (another great scratch builder) displaying a part-built vertical boilered loco, and making the frames of a Lister Autotruck.

Chris’s railcar on his automatic micro layout “Ashfield Road” (009).

Malcolm’s work on painting 16mm figures.

Graham and Caroline were displaying their O9 layout “Pye Rigg Works”.

Another 009 layout was displayed by Jim, his Challenge layout “Loose End”.

A view of Bill’s 1:16 Challenge nursery layout “Noels’ Walk” a unique scratch-built shunting puzzle.

Stuart was making O scale American building mock-ups.

A friend of the Group, Isaac, displayed his 009 box file challenge layout.

Model Railway exhibition at the “Middy”: Sun. July 23rd 2023

Our Group was invited back again to the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway to display our groups layouts around the Brockford Station site. Despite some early rain the weather was kind to us again and by the afternoon many of us were hitting the ice cream cabinet, and also I noticed, the Middy Bar Coach too. Here are some photos from the day….. (Click photos to enlarge)

Narrow Gauge Model Railway Exhibition: Sat. June 3rd 2023

We held our first annual exhibition since the Covid epidemic on June 3rd. There were sixteen layouts including our “Challenge” layout entries, three Society stands and Great Eastern Models from Norwich providing trade support. We thank everybody involved, including very importantly Zane, Carol, Sarah, Ann, Pauline and Pat for providing refreshments and cakes. And a special thank you to Richard for all his hard work organising the show.

Here are some photos of the exhibits:-

The Ruston 10RB loading skips at the gravel pit on “Fen End Pit” – 16mm.

Old Simplex locomotives at the shed on “Fen End Pit” – 16mm.

Displayed in remembrance of James Corsi who built the layout, Barry Weston runs typical continental stock on “Ruritania Eisenbahn” – O-16.5 scale.

The right hand end of “Ruritania Eisenbahn”. It was built from an easy “starter set”, plus additions.

Dave Carson’s Edwardian 009 layout “New Walmington Pier”, full of detail.

Winter near the front line in the Great War is Baldwin 778 on “Plugstreet” in 009, by Laurence Hendry. Photo is tinted.

“Plugstreet” is a casualty clearing station where wounded soldiers are treated before being transported to hospitals. Photo is tinted.

The wonderful scene at “Much Meddling” (009) by Chris O’Donoghue.

The “Much Meddling & Farr Dyke Railway” is inspired by the work of Rowland Emett. All the stock is scratch built. Resemblance may be seen to the “House in the Clouds” in Thorpeness which inspired the tower.

009 loco “Alde” is seen down by the filter beds on Chris Seago’s “Reeds Beck Waterworks”.

“Reeds Beck Waterworks” is a Victorian waterworks displaying the well-maintained grounds and buildings which municipalities had great pride in.

Graham & Caroline Watling displayed their O9 layout “Raven Hill”. Here “Hydra” is arriving with a short passenger train.

A goods train is seen in the loop at “Raven Hill” station.

A Manning Wardle loco un-couples on the “North Level Railway” (O-16.5) exhibited by Alan Church.

The goods shed sidings including a transporter wagon. “North Level Railway” – O-16.5.

Ian has included a mixture of scales, and used left over parts along with characters from fairy tales etc.

“Challenge” Layouts.

This years Challenge was to build an operational narrow gauge micro layout with a minimum scenic area of four square feet (576 sq. ins.). Fiddle yards could be added to aid operation as required. We thank all those who entered and put much effort to producing some uniquely interesting models.

The winner of this years Trophy was “Lysander Farm” in 009, by Ray Trudgett.

“Lysander Farm”: This railway transports hops, arable and dairy products on the Kent/East Sussex border. Restored stock provides passenger trains for visitors at weekends.

Ray receiving the Trophy from Helen Arnold of Great Eastern Models.

“Southgate Sidings” – O-16.5, by Geoff Brace. The sidings serve a small industrial estate built after the great war.

“Southgate Sidings”. Wagons are dropped off and picked up from various points on the sidings.

“Noels Work” – 1:16. A shunting puzzle built by Bill Knight.

The layout is built in Bills typical scratch-built style, much of it from cardboard and strips of wood, and superbly weathered.

“Pointless Shunting” – 009 by David Churchyard. A very different freelance shunting puzzle layout.

“Pointless Shunting”: The layout uses two turntables instead of pointwork to position wagons. Most items are 3D printed at home.

“The Martlesham Malteser Mine” – SM32, Alan Fuller. Equal 2nd in the vote came this secret honeycomb mine layout at Martlesham. Balls of honeycomb are loaded on to barges under cover of darkness and towed out to sea to waiting coasters.

“The Martlesham Malteser Mine”. The battery loco enters the mine for another load of honeycomb balls.

“Wainford Sidings” – SM32, Malcolm Cudmore: Great atmosphere portrayed in the Waveney Valley – a short spur near an aggregates quarry.

“Wainford Sidings”: Malcolm has used his artistic background to create a lovely scene.

“Loose Ends” – 009 by Jim Bamber. Also equal second in the Challenge, Jim created this fictional village scene.

“Loose Ends”: The railway runs through the village of houses, shops and mill. There are many small details.

Support:

Alan Butcher and Andrew Barnes from the Bure Valley Railway.
Popular 15″ gauge line running from Aylsham to Hoveton/Wroxham.

Mike Kendall and James Hewett from the Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway Society.
Dedicated to promoting and restoring the narrow gauge railway from the Halesworth end.

“Running Day” at the Middy: Sunday 25th July 2021

Our Group were invited back to the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway to display layouts at their steam open day. The weather was good despite a bad forecast, and we were pleased to see so many friends and enthusiastic visitors. Here are some photos: Click on image to enlarge

Baldwin’s at “Llanfair Jamieinion” (009) by Graham & Jamie Doe.

Bill Knight’s 1:16 scratch built shunting puzzle “Little Ease” and display of materials in construction.

“Staines Barn” by Richard Doe (009) a micro layout receiving it’s first public showing. Based on a unique sugar beet line in Norfolk.

Barry Weston was running the late James Corsi’s O-16.5 scale “Ruritania Eisenbahn” layout.

Another layout having it’s first public display was “Raven Hill” (O9) by Graham & Caroline Watling, inspired by the North York Moors.

“New Walmington Pier” (009) by Dave Carson.

Malcolm Cudmore was displaying his 16mm remote control Simplex and also painting figures as a demonstration.

Jim Bamber was displaying his 009 layout “Hubbards Halt”, here are two of his loco’s, a vertical boiler tram loco and coach and a Beyer-Garratt scratch build.

6th Open Day & Exhibition, Beccles, 7th March 2020.

Our 6^th public exhibition was held in Beccles on March 7^th. We hosted 13 layouts ranging in scales from 4mm to 16mm, 6 sales and society stands and a painting demonstration. With 315 visitors, it was quite a busy day. We also held our annual challenge where seven “Fruit Box Dioramas” were built by members of the Group, which this year by its very nature totalled hundreds of hours of work. Bill Knight won the trophy this year for his superb 1:24 scale “Narrow Gauge Graveyard”.
Of course we must thank Myra Davies for her demonstration of painting and weathering 7mm scale accessories and figures, the Southwold Railway Trust, Bure Valley railway, Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway, Helens Sales, Great Eastern Models, and the 009 Society Sales for their trade and society support. Thanks also again to members of Great Yarmouth Brass Band who supplied delicious home-made cakes and refreshments.
Photos by G. Watling unless marked.
(Click on images to enlarge)

**Southwold** – 00n3 (4mm scale 12mm gauge). Stewart Green’s excellent Post World War 1 model of Southwold Station. Famous for it’s “Cleminson” 6-wheeled chassis and it’s quirky nature the model features all the flavour of the station area and the approach from the cutting.

**Oh Guano** – 0-16.5 (7mm scale). A Queensland, Australia set model of a facility to process bat droppings (Guano) built by Noel Davies. It is mainly used for fertiliser and also supplied to gunpowder manufacturers.

***Orne*** – 009 (4mm scale, 9mm gauge). Chris Ford displayed his Mid-Sussex scene of a railway that has just managed to survive the war. It was built on a redundant baseboard.

***Llanfair Jamieinion*** – 009 (4mm scale, 9mm gauge). Built for his son Jamie to operate, Graham Doe has constructed a layout with a continuous run, the tack plan being inspired by the W&LLR western terminus. A small fiddle yard has now been added for more operational variety.

***Ashurst Brickworks*** – 009 (4mm scale, 9mm gauge). A fictitious layout by Peter Rednall based alongside a narrow estuary on the Sussex coast where good brick-making clays have been found. Now based in the 1950’s, a passenger service continues to run.

Character of the day “Maisie”, and (right) Myra Davies Painting Demonstration detailing 7mm scale figures and accessories.

**Mirkwood** – 009 (4mm scale, 9mm gauge). A lovely model of a small Welsh slate quarry and nearby village by Tony Clarke.

Challenge Trophy presentation.
Photo. R. Doe

***Shortwaite Hill –*** 009 4mm scale, 9mm gauge. Graham & Caroline Watling’s fictitious, North Yorkshire inspired layout. Features a lower and upper station, scratch built buildings and hill scenery.

***Old Chapel Yard –*** 009 4mm scale, 9mm gauge. A repair and maintenance yard set on the edge of a rural town by Jim Bamber. Jim is still adding stock and details on the layout.

The 2020 Narrow Gauge Railway Group Challenge

After looking at the small mdf-made supermarket fruit trays we decided that this years Challenge was to “Create a narrow gauge scene in a box with sides – foot print no bigger than a piece of A4 Paper”. There were no other restrictions in the way the box could be used.